---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai…"
description: "\"“I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai. He's going to think I stockpile vicious old women.”\" — Leigh Bardugo"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he_1314640.png"
---

#  I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai. He's going to think…

![“I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai. He's going to think I stockpile vicious old women.” quote by Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he_1314640.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he_1314640.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he_1314640.png)

> ““I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai. He's going to think I stockpile vicious old women.””

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker uses a vivid, humorous metaphor to convey that their actions will be misunderstood as malicious.

**In simple terms:** Actions may be misinterpreted as harmful.

Key Takeaway

Clarify intentions to avoid misreading.

Themes

miscommunication humor perception

Mood

playful ironic

Type

literary humorous

When to use this quote

- team strategy
- conflict resolution
- leadership
- negotiation

Key Concepts

metaphor social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How might you ensure your actions are seen as intended?
- What assumptions underlie your metaphor?

A Different Perspective

The joke relies on the listener knowing the characters, limiting its impact.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Alina-starkov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina-starkov/)

## Related quotes

> [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I told them you hate herring.” “Why?” “And that you love plum cake. And that Ana Kuya took a switch to you when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-told-them-you-hate-herring-why-and-that-you-love-plum-cake-and-that/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I'm the Sun Summoner. It gets dark when I say it does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-m-the-sun-summoner-it-gets-dark-when-i-say-it-does/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Like the teachers at the Duke's estate, the priest thought he knew the girl and what she was capable of. He was wrong. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/like-the-teachers-at-the-duke-s-estate-the-priest-thought-he-knew-the/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“THE SERVANTS CALLED them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke’s house like giggling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-servants-called-them-malenchki-little-ghosts-because-they-were/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-re-mad-i-said-you-know-what-he-can-do-no-prize-is-worth-that/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick," he said. "Less fun." "My jabbing arm is tired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Sorry,” I mumbled. “Maybe you’re hungry,” said Zoya. “I always get mean when I’m hungry.” “Are you hungry all the time?” asked Harshaw. “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sorry-i-mumbled-maybe-you-re-hungry-said-zoya-i-always-get-mean-when/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“A privateer learns to press any advantage.” “And a prince?” “Princes get used to the word yes .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/a-privateer-learns-to-press-any-advantage-and-a-prince-princes-get/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Mal,” I whispered into the night. “What?” “Thanks for finding me.” I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but somewhere in the dark, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-i-whispered-into-the-night-what-thanks-for-finding-me-i-wasn-t/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-there-s-no-way-i-m-leaving-you-alone-with-prince-perfect-so-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-just-punched-a-prince-alina-i-guess-we-can-add-one-more-act-of/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Wretched boy.” “You like him,” I said in disbelief. Baghra scowled. “Greedy. Arrogant. Takes too many risks.” “You almost sound concerned.” “You like him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/wretched-boy-you-like-him-i-said-in-disbelief-baghra-scowled-greedy/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otkazat-sya-is-it-because-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Just… be careful.’ I stared at her, baffled. 'Of what?’ 'Of powerful men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/just-be-careful-i-stared-at-her-baffled-of-what-of-powerful-men/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

## More by Leigh Bardugo

> [“Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/aleksander-his-eyes-fluttered-shut-don-t-let-me-be-alone-he-murmured/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-don-t-care-if-you-danced-naked-on-the-roof-of-the-little-palace/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“They're all crazy, Oncat. Invisible armies, monster princes. Let's go set fire to something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-re-all-crazy-oncat-invisible-armies-monster-princes-let-s-go-set/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Saints!" I swore. "I forgot how often I want to stab you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/saints-i-swore-i-forgot-how-often-i-want-to-stab-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Inej knew the moment Kaz entered the Slat. His presence reverberated through the cramped rooms and crooked hallways as every thug, thief, dealer, con…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-knew-the-moment-kaz-entered-the-slat-his-presence-reverberated/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-risked-my-life-for-you-i-ve-walked-half-the-length-of-ravka-for/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Sure we do," said Theo, swatting at a branch. "We get to the spring, Alia gets cured. We argue over the best choice for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sure-we-do-said-theo-swatting-at-a-branch-we-get-to-the-spring-alia/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I’d broken might be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-pushed-down-my-confused-tears-and-did-as-she-asked-still-hoping/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“There, she wrote fantastical tales that charmed children, and under another name, she penned rather more lurid works that kept her in nougat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-she-wrote-fantastical-tales-that-charmed-children-and-under/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Short on friends, your highness?" "And long on enemies," replied Nikolai.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/short-on-friends-your-highness-and-long-on-enemies-replied-nikolai/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jesper-knocked-his-head-against-the-hull-and-cast-his-eyes-heavenward/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

[Explore all 782 Leigh Bardugo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

## More Alina-starkov quotes

> [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I’ve never understood this taste for otkazat’sya . Is it because you thought you were one of them for so long?” “I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-never-understood-this-taste-for-otkazat-sya-is-it-because-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Wretched boy.” “You like him,” I said in disbelief. Baghra scowled. “Greedy. Arrogant. Takes too many risks.” “You almost sound concerned.” “You like him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/wretched-boy-you-like-him-i-said-in-disbelief-baghra-scowled-greedy/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You just punched a prince, Alina. I guess we can add one more act of treason to our list.” I shook out my sore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-just-punched-a-prince-alina-i-guess-we-can-add-one-more-act-of/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.” “So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?” “I don’t even trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/and-there-s-no-way-i-m-leaving-you-alone-with-prince-perfect-so-you/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Mal,” I whispered into the night. “What?” “Thanks for finding me.” I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but somewhere in the dark, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/mal-i-whispered-into-the-night-what-thanks-for-finding-me-i-wasn-t/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“A privateer learns to press any advantage.” “And a prince?” “Princes get used to the word yes .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/a-privateer-learns-to-press-any-advantage-and-a-prince-princes-get/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Sorry,” I mumbled. “Maybe you’re hungry,” said Zoya. “I always get mean when I’m hungry.” “Are you hungry all the time?” asked Harshaw. “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sorry-i-mumbled-maybe-you-re-hungry-said-zoya-i-always-get-mean-when/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“It seems to work better than jabbing them with a stick," he said. "Less fun." "My jabbing arm is tired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/it-seems-to-work-better-than-jabbing-them-with-a-stick-he-said-less/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“You’re mad,” I said. “You know what he can do. No prize is worth that.” Sturmhond grinned. “That remains to be seen.” “The Darkling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-re-mad-i-said-you-know-what-he-can-do-no-prize-is-worth-that/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“THE SERVANTS CALLED them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke’s house like giggling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/the-servants-called-them-malenchki-little-ghosts-because-they-were/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Like the teachers at the Duke's estate, the priest thought he knew the girl and what she was capable of. He was wrong. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/like-the-teachers-at-the-duke-s-estate-the-priest-thought-he-knew-the/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I'm the Sun Summoner. It gets dark when I say it does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-m-the-sun-summoner-it-gets-dark-when-i-say-it-does/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“I told them you hate herring.” “Why?” “And that you love plum cake. And that Ana Kuya took a switch to you when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-told-them-you-hate-herring-why-and-that-you-love-plum-cake-and-that/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Just… be careful.’ I stared at her, baffled. 'Of what?’ 'Of powerful men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/just-be-careful-i-stared-at-her-baffled-of-what-of-powerful-men/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

[Browse all 37 Alina-starkov quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alina-starkov/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai. He's going to think I stockpile vicious old women.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Leigh Bardugo"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he-s-going-to-think-i-stockpile/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Alina-starkov"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he-s-going-to-think-i-stockpile/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he_1314640.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he_1314640.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e42/leigh-bardugo-252_alina-starkov_i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he_1314640.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai. He's going to think I stockpile vicious old women.” — Leigh Bardugo",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Leigh Bardugo",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“I already unleashed Baghra on Nikolai....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he-s-going-to-think-i-stockpile/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-already-unleashed-baghra-on-nikolai-he-s-going-to-think-i-stockpile/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
