Meaning
'Doah heng yuh basket higher dan yuh can reach' — don't hang your basket higher than you can reach. Do not set your ambitions, demands, or spending beyond your true means, the proverb counsels: aim for what you can actually attain, or you will be left grasping at what you cannot get. It is homely, practical wisdom against overreaching — living beyond your income, promising more than you can give — urging a person to match their reach to their real grasp and not set themselves up to fall short.
Examples
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Nuh borrow so much money — doah heng yuh basket higher dan yuh can reach.
Don't borrow so much money — don't reach beyond your means.
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Set a goal yuh can meet; doah heng yuh basket higher dan yuh can reach.
Set a goal you can meet; don't overreach.
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She marry rich but couldn't cope; she heng har basket too high.
She married into wealth but couldn't cope; she reached beyond herself.
Origin
A household image: hang your food basket where you can reach it, not so high that you can never take it down — keep your reach within your grasp.
How it’s used
A caution against overreaching — in money, ambition, or expectations. Know your limits and aim accordingly.