出头的椽子先烂
chū​tóu​de​chuán​zi​xiān​làn

the nail that sticks out gets hammered down

  1. 出头 出頭 chū​tóu
    to stick out
    To stick out or protrude from the top of something.
  2. 的 de particle
    [possessive/attributive]
    Connects a describing word or phrase to the noun it describes; also used to indicate a possessive relationship.
  3. 椽子 chuán​zi
    rafter
    Wood or metal beams placed on the roof frame to support the roof deck and tiles
  4. 先 xiān adverb
    first
    earlier in time or sequence; beforehand; in advance
  5. 烂 爛 làn verbadjective
    to rot
    to rot; to decompose; to become rotten or festering