అస్తమానం అరిచే పిల్లి ఎలుకను పట్టదు
astamanam ariche pilli elukanu pattadu
A cat that meows all the time cannot catch a mouse.
This proverb is similar to 'Barking dogs seldom bite.' It describes people who talk excessively or boast constantly about their intentions but fail to take actual action or achieve results. It implies that those who are busy making noise are usually not focused on the work at hand.
Related Phrases
మానుపిల్లి అయినా, మట్టి పిల్లి అయినా, ఎలుకను పట్టినదే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina, matti pilli ayina, elukanu pattinade pilli
A cat which kills a rat is a cat, whether it be of wood or mud. If the work be well done, never mind the instrument.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the value of someone or something should be judged by their ability to perform their intended task or achieve a goal, rather than their outward characteristics or status.
నాడు కట్టాలేదు, నేడు చింతాలేదు
nadu kattaledu, nedu chintaledu
No effort was put in then, and no worry is felt now.
This proverb describes a state of total negligence or lack of foresight. It is used to describe a person who did not take action or plan during the appropriate time (the past) and consequently feels no regret or concern about the failure in the present. It often implies a sense of indifference toward one's responsibilities.
బావురుపిల్లికి చిలుకపై మొగమాటమా
bavurupilliki chilukapai mogamatama
Does a wild cat have hesitation/mercy toward a parrot?
This expression is used to describe a situation where a powerful or predatory person will not hesitate to exploit a vulnerable victim. It implies that it is foolish to expect mercy or formal politeness (mogamatam) from someone whose nature is to be ruthless or greedy.
కొండను తవ్వి ఎలుకను పట్టినట్ళు.
kondanu tavvi elukanu pattinatlu.
It is like digging up a mountain to catch a mouse.
A fruitless endeavor considering what is obtained by the effort. Sometimes, one makes herculean efforts but achieves precious little.
పిల్లికి ఎలుక సాక్ష్యం
pilliki eluka sakshyam
A rat testifying for a cat.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a culprit or an untrustworthy person produces a witness who is equally biased, unreliable, or under their control. It signifies a deceptive alliance where the witness is unlikely to speak the truth against the perpetrator.
ఎలుకకు పిల్లి సాక్షి
elukaku pilli sakshi
The cat a witness in the rat's case. Interested evidence. A fox should not be of the jury at a goose trial.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two parties who are naturally biased or complicit with each other stand as witnesses for one another. It implies that the testimony is untrustworthy because both parties have a mutual interest or are equally corrupt, much like how a cat and mouse 'working together' would be an absurdity or a conspiracy.
బండి చక్రం పిల్లి కాలు తొక్కితే, పిల్లి ఎలుకపై మీసాలు దువ్వినదట
bandi chakram pilli kalu tokkite, pilli elukapai misalu duvvinadata
When a cart wheel ran over a cat's leg, the cat twirled its whiskers at a mouse.
This proverb describes a situation where someone who is hurt or humiliated by a superior or an uncontrollable force vents their frustration and displays false bravado toward someone weaker than them. It highlights the tendency to deflect anger onto subordinates instead of addressing the actual source of the problem.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా మట్టిపిల్లి అయినా ఎలుకను పట్టిందే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina mattipilli ayina elukanu pattinde pilli
Whether it is a wooden cat or a clay cat, the one that catches the mouse is the real cat.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the effectiveness or utility of a person or a tool is more important than its form, cost, or status. It is used to convey that the end result is what truly matters in evaluating a solution.
మద్దెలలోని ఎలుకవలె
maddelaloni elukavale
Like a mouse inside a drum (maddela)
This expression is used to describe a person who is caught in a situation where they are being attacked or pressured from both sides. Just as a mouse trapped inside a double-headed drum gets beaten from both ends, it refers to someone suffering in a dilemma or being victimized by two opposing forces simultaneously.
ఎన్నడూ నా మగడు 'ఎల్లీ ఎల్లీ' అనలేదుగాని, ఇల్లు కాలినాడు 'ఎల్లీ ఎల్లీ' అన్నాడు.
ennadu na magadu elli elli analedugani, illu kalinadu elli elli annadu.
My husband never called me 'Elli, Elli', but when the house was on fire, he started shouting 'Elli, Elli'.
This proverb is used to describe people who only show concern, affection, or attention when they are in desperate need of help or in a crisis. It highlights a person's selfishness or convenience-based relationships, where they ignore someone until an emergency arises.