చెరువు మీద కొంగ అలిగినట్టు

cheruvu mida konga aliginattu

Translation

Like a crane being angry with the pond.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone's anger or boycott only harms themselves and doesn't affect the target at all. Just as a crane losing its temper and leaving a pond doesn't affect the pond (but the crane loses its food source), this expression is used when a person's protest is futile and self-defeating.

Related Phrases

Getting into a pet with the tank, he would not wash his feet in it.

This proverb describes a situation where someone's spiteful or stubborn actions only end up hurting themselves rather than the person or thing they are angry with. It is used when a person boycotts something essential out of spite, resulting in their own disadvantage.

When a man grows angry, his reason rides out.

Leaving the pond and catching the canal instead.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone abandons a stable, abundant, or primary source of resources (the pond) in favor of a temporary, narrow, or unreliable source (the canal). It highlights poor decision-making where one trades a greater benefit for a lesser one.

A free water kiosk in front of a lake?

This expression is used to describe something that is redundant, unnecessary, or redundant. Just as it is pointless to set up a small water-donating stall (chalivendram) right in front of a massive lake, it refers to offering a small or inferior version of something to someone who already has an abundance of it.

If you are angry at the lake, who suffers the loss?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's anger or protest only harms themselves rather than the person or thing they are angry with. It is similar to the English expression 'cutting off your nose to spite your face.' It highlights the futility of boycotting something that you personally depend on for survival or benefit.

On account of excessive fat, the bend/curve is not noticeable

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is so consumed by pride, arrogance, or their own status that they fail to recognize their own flaws or the subtle changes around them. It can also refer to how excessive wealth or power can mask underlying problems or lack of character.

Soon after the destruction of Kollu by a flood, Kôna also was swept away. Kollu and Kôna are the names of two villages on either side of a river. The calamity which happened to one was a source of rejoicing to the other, which soon however suffered the same fate. Tauntingly used by a person towards those who took delight in his misfortune but have now been overtaken by a calamity themselves.

This proverb is used to describe a chain of events where one disaster or misfortune is inevitably followed by another, often suggesting that if a major entity fails, a related or smaller entity will soon follow. It highlights the ripple effect of calamities within a specific region or context.

The pond longs for water, and the water longs for the pond.

This expression describes a mutually beneficial or codependent relationship where two entities need each other to exist or fulfill their purpose. It is used to illustrate situations where both parties are equally dependent on one another, much like how a pond is just a pit without water, and water needs a container to stay gathered.

Like cutting off one's own nose because of being angry at the mirror.

This proverb describes a situation where someone's foolish or impulsive reaction to a problem ends up causing more harm to themselves than to the object of their anger. It highlights self-destructive behavior driven by spite or petty frustration.

Hands on the shop, eyes on the mother-in-law.

This proverb describes someone who is physically performing a task in one place (like working in a shop) but is mentally preoccupied or keeping a suspicious eye on someone else (the mother-in-law) to ensure they aren't being cheated or monitored. It is used to describe a person who lacks focus or is overly suspicious of others while working.

Like placing sandals on a dead cow

This expression refers to a situation where a person is insulted or treated poorly after they have already faced a major downfall or loss. It signifies adding insult to injury or showing disrespect to someone who can no longer defend themselves.