అంకెలలోని కోతి లంకంతా చెరిచిందట

ankelaloni koti lankanta cherichindata

Translation

The monkey in the lap ruined the whole of Lanka.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where a single person, often someone who was initially trusted or sheltered, ends up causing widespread destruction or chaos to an entire group or organization. It is derived from the Ramayana, referring to Hanuman (the monkey) who, after being captured, set the entire city of Lanka on fire.

Related Phrases

Like a snake in a monkey's paw. Jacko is afraid of it, but won't let it go.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is fickle, irresponsible, or lacks judgment is given control over something dangerous or sensitive. Just as a monkey doesn't know how to handle a snake safely—either hurting itself, the snake, or others by swinging it around—giving power or a delicate task to an incompetent person leads to unpredictable and harmful consequences.

A garland of flowers in a monkey's paw.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a valuable object or a position of responsibility is given to someone who is incapable of understanding its value or doesn't know how to handle it properly, eventually leading to its destruction.

A good thing thrown away on a stupid person.

A spoilt monkey spoiling the whole garden.

This refers to one already spoilt spoiling all the others around. Generally, when one is in bad shape – especially, morally – one would spread one’s vice to others also. Such people should be avoided by all means.

When someone said 'May Lord Rama protect us', he replied 'There is a hairless monkey in Lanka'.

This expression is used to describe someone who gives an irrelevant or nonsensical answer to a serious statement, or someone who is completely out of touch with the context of a conversation. It highlights a lack of comprehension or a deliberate attempt to be evasive by bringing up something unrelated.

An unrestrained monkey destroyed all of Lanka.

This expression is used to describe how a person without discipline or control can cause widespread damage or chaos to an entire organization or community. It draws from the Ramayana, referring to the potential havoc an unchecked force can wreak.

A link between money and life.

This expression highlights that money and life are deeply interconnected. It is used to describe situations where financial stability is essential for survival, or conversely, when one risks their life for financial gain. It implies that people value their wealth as much as their life, or that wealth is the 'lifeblood' of one's existence.

A broom as big as a tree in a house as big as Lanka.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is extreme scarcity or disproportionate lack of resources in an otherwise large or grand setting. It refers to a huge house or family that lacks even basic necessities, or when something very small and insignificant is the only notable thing in a massive space.

A house as big as Lanka

This expression is used to describe a very large, spacious, or sprawling house. It draws a comparison to the mythical city of Lanka from the Ramayana, which was known for its immense size and grandeur. It is often used to emphasize that a house is disproportionately large for the number of people living in it or simply to remark on its vastness.

Greed and poverty are linked.

This proverb suggests that no matter how much wealth one possesses, if they have insatiable greed, they are effectively 'poor' because they are never satisfied. It is used to describe people who are never content with what they have and always crave more.

The secret of a home is the ruin of Lanka.

This proverb originates from the Ramayana, referring to how Vibhishana revealing Ravana's secrets led to the fall of Lanka. It is used to emphasize that internal family secrets or domestic disputes, when leaked to outsiders, can lead to total destruction or downfall.