బొక్కలో నిద్రపోయే నక్క కలలో తన వాతబడే కోళ్ళను లెక్కబెట్టుకొన్నట్లు
bokkalo nidrapoye nakka kalalo tana vatabade kollanu lekkabettukonnatlu
Like a fox sleeping in its hole counting the chickens it expects to catch in its dreams.
This expression describes people who indulge in wishful thinking or 'counting chickens before they hatch.' It refers to making elaborate plans or celebrating success based on imaginary or future gains that have not yet been achieved.
Related Phrases
నక్కలలో నక్కగా నటించవలె
nakkalalo nakkaga natinchavale
One must act as a fox among foxes.
This expression suggests that one must adapt to their surroundings and the company they are in to survive or succeed. It is similar to the English proverb 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do,' but with a specific emphasis on using cunning or matching the behavior of those around you, especially when dealing with shrewd people.
నక్కబోయిన వెనుక బొక్క కొట్టుకొన్నట్లు.
nakkaboyina venuka bokka kottukonnatlu.
Like hitting the burrow after the fox has gone.
This expression refers to taking action or seeking a remedy after it is already too late. It is used to describe futile efforts made after the opportunity has passed or the damage is already done, similar to the English idiom 'closing the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
ఊరంతా వడ్లెండబెట్టుకొంటే, నక్కతోక ఎండబెట్టుకొన్నదట
uranta vadlendabettukonte, nakkatoka endabettukonnadata
While the whole village was drying grain, someone was drying a fox's tail.
This proverb describes a person who does something useless, eccentric, or irrelevant while everyone else is engaged in productive or essential work. It is used to mock people who lack a sense of priority or follow trends in a foolish and meaningless way.
పులిని చూసి నక్క వాత పెట్టుకున్నట్టు
pulini chusi nakka vata pettukunnattu
The jackal branded himself with spots like a tiger. Vulgar display. Apeing one's superiors.
This proverb is used to describe a person who foolishly tries to imitate someone superior or more capable than themselves, often resulting in self-harm or ridicule. It highlights the folly of blind imitation without having the inherent nature or strength of the person being copied.
మీన మేషాలు లెక్కబెట్టడం
mina meshalu lekkabettadam
Counting Pisces and Aries
This expression refers to a person who is indecisive or procrastinating. It describes the act of unnecessarily delaying a decision or action by over-analyzing minor details, similar to someone idly staring at the stars and counting zodiac signs instead of focusing on the task at hand.
నీళ్ళలో నిప్పు పెట్టి, కాలలేదని కడుపు కొట్టుకున్నట్టు
nillalo nippu petti, kalaledani kadupu kottukunnattu
Setting fire to water and then beating one's stomach (in grief) because it didn't burn.
This expression describes a person who attempts a completely impossible or illogical task and then laments or complains when it inevitably fails. It is used to mock someone's foolishness, unrealistic expectations, or their habit of blaming fate for failures caused by their own lack of common sense.
ఎంగిలాకులు ఎత్తమంటే వచ్చినవాళ్ళను లెక్కబెట్టాడట
engilakulu ettamante vachchinavallanu lekkabettadata
When asked to clear the used leaf plates, he started counting the guests.
This expression is used to describe a person who tries to avoid work or procrastinate by engaging in irrelevant tasks or by finding excuses. It highlights a tendency to focus on trivial data instead of performing the actual duty at hand.
బొక్కలో పిల్ల, డొక్కలో పిల్ల
bokkalo pilla, dokkalo pilla
Child in the hole, child in the belly.
This expression is used to describe a woman who is already taking care of a young child while being pregnant with another. It highlights the challenging situation of a mother handling consecutive pregnancies or very young children with a very small age gap.
నక్క పోయిన వెనక బొక్క కొట్టుకొన్నట్టు.
nakka poyina venaka bokka kottukonnattu.
After the jackal had departed, the hole lamented and wept. Great sorrow in a household.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes action or seeks a solution after the opportunity has passed or the damage is already done. It is used to mock futile, late efforts that serve no purpose, similar to the English expression 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
పులిని చూచి నక్క వాతలు పెట్టుకొన్నట్లు
pulini chuchi nakka vatalu pettukonnatlu
Like a fox branding itself with stripes after seeing a tiger.
This proverb is used to describe someone who foolishly tries to imitate others who are naturally superior or more capable, often causing harm to themselves in the process. It highlights the vanity and folly of blind imitation without having the inherent strength or status of the person being mimicked.