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Tecnopatia
cfr N.M.I.

Glossary entry

Italian term or phrase:

per trattare con un bandito, ci vuole un bandito

English translation:

if you\'re dealing with a crook, get yourself a crook

Added to glossary by potra
Feb 6, 2012 19:48
12 yrs ago
Italian term

per trattare con un bandito, ci vuole un bandito

Italian to English Other Slang
Basically this means that a criminal is the person most suited to deal with another criminal.
It is a conversation between financiers, re: briberies etc.

I know there is a wise corresponding proverb, but cannot think of anything today.
Proposed translations (English)
4 if you're dealing with a crook, get yourself a crook
4 +6 it takes a thief to catch a thief!
4 +1 It takes one to know one!
4 If you want to do business with a bandit, then get yourself a bandit.
4 Game recognize game

Discussion

Giles Watson Feb 7, 2012:
Another option You could also tweak another bandit-related phrase and try something like:

"There is understanding/consensus(, if not honour,) among thieves".
Giles Watson Feb 6, 2012:
Shift the notions around slightly As you say, the proverb "set a thief to catch a thief" (the usual version) is not really appropriate here. You can get closer by taking the "thief" notion out of the idiomatic phrase:

When you're dealing with a bandit, you need someone who speaks the same language".
potra (asker) Feb 6, 2012:
Context The only thing that I can provide, is what I said: it is a conversation between financiers.

This is probably more about dealing with than not about catching a thief.

Proposed translations

16 hrs
Selected

if you're dealing with a crook, get yourself a crook

Since the original isn't a proverb (only 24 Ghits), I don't see that we need an authentic English proverb to translate it (let alone an inaccurate one).

'Crook' is a good vernacular word that works well here.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "This is a perfect fit! Thank you Oliver and thanks to all."
+1
45 mins

It takes one to know one!

This is a general, yet common idiomatic expression. It can be inserted into the conversation if the 'type' of person that they are talking about (bandit, thief, financier) has already been established. Can you post some of the conversation?

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Note added at 49 mins (2012-02-06 20:38:01 GMT)
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OR

If you want to deal with a thief, you've got to THINK like a thief!
Peer comment(s):
neutral Giles Watson : Your first phrase doesn't address the central notion of negotiation. The second version gets a bit closer but isn't really an idiomatic expression.
10 mins
hi giles, it was my best shot w/ out seeing any text :)
agree Audra deFalco (X) : I think this is the best choice given that we really have minimal context.
2 hrs
thanks!
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2 hrs

If you want to do business with a bandit, then get yourself a bandit.

This is a very colloquial version. You could make less so with "If you need to do business with a bandit, then what you need is a bandit"
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3 hrs

Game recognize game

.
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+6
13 mins

it takes a thief to catch a thief!

-

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Note added at 12 hrs (2012-02-07 08:39:10 GMT)
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Definition: Only a thief knows how a thief thinks and acts
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/it takes a thief to c...

Definition: used to mean that one dishonest person can guess what another dishonest person might do

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/it-takes-...

It does not necessaril literally mean "thief"

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Note added at 19 hrs (2012-02-07 15:30:46 GMT)
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@ Giles: The context (I am assuming) is that found in the following link(and many similar ones). I made my suggestion on the basis of the limited context given by the asker. Anybody who makes a suggestion "thinks" it may be correct, otherwise they wouldn't bother. Obviously constructive criticism is welcome from "more enlightened beings".
Peer comment(s):
agree tradu-grace : Only a thief knows how another thief will think and act. Can be extended to other professions and descriptions.
7 mins
Thanks, Tradugrace.
neutral philgoddard : This is a near equivalent, but we don't know if it's appropriate because the asker hasn't provided proper context.
32 mins
Thanks, Phil. So hopefully Potra can judge whether its applicable or not.
agree Peter Cox
6 hrs
Thanks, Peter
neutral Giles Watson : The phrase is "set a thief to catch a thief". Sadly, it fails to capture the key concept, which is negotiation, not ensnaring. We could lose the "bandito" but we need to render "trattare". PS "I think" is an opinion. Please tell us why you hold it! TIA.
10 hrs
Maybe its not a literal translation but I think it captures the meaning.
agree Isabelle Johnson : I agree. I think it reflects the spirit of the saying.
11 hrs
Thanks, Isabelle.
agree Jim Tucker (X) : Sometimes close enough is close enough.
14 hrs
Thanks, Jim
agree tatyana000
15 hrs
Thank you, Tatyana
agree Yvonne Gallagher : think this is closest expression
20 hrs
Thanks, Gallagy
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