Meaning
If you can't get at the real person or thing you're after, you settle for the next best — or take out your feelings on whatever of theirs you can reach. If you can't catch Quaco (a personal name) himself, you grab his shirt. A proverb about making do with what you can get, and about revenge or blame falling on whatever substitute is within reach.
Examples
-
Him couldn't sue di company so him sue di worker — if yuh cyaan ketch Quaco, yuh ketch him shirt.
He couldn't sue the company so he sued the worker — you take what you can reach.
-
Vex wid di boss, she tek it out pon di clerk; if yuh cyaan ketch Quaco, yuh ketch him shirt.
Angry at the boss, she took it out on the clerk; blame falls on whoever's within reach.
Origin
A traditional proverb; 'Quaco' is an Akan day-name (Wednesday-born). Failing to catch the man, you catch his shirt. See [[quashie]].
How it’s used
Settle for what you can reach when the real target is out of reach; misplaced revenge/blame. See [[quashie]].