చూడను చుంచెలుక, గోడలు త్రవ్వను పందికొక్కు
chudanu chuncheluka, godalu travvanu pandikokku
To look at, a tiny mouse; to dig through walls, a bandicoot.
This expression is used to describe someone who looks small, innocent, or harmless in appearance but possesses a surprising capacity for destruction or performs heavy, unexpected tasks. It is similar to the English proverb 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' but specifically focuses on hidden strength or deceptive capability.
Related Phrases
పందికొక్కు మీద బండికల్లు
pandikokku mida bandikallu
A cartwheel on a bandicoot
This expression is used to describe a situation where a punishment, burden, or consequence is excessively heavy or disproportionate to the size or capacity of the subject. It signifies overkill or an overwhelming force applied to a relatively small target.
వడ్ల గాదెలో పందికొక్కును పెట్టినట్టు
vadla gadelo pandikokkunu pettinattu
Like putting a bandicoot in a corn bin.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an untrustworthy or greedy person is placed in a position of authority over valuable resources. Just as a bandicoot would uncontrollably devour the grain it is supposed to be 'stored' with, a corrupt person will exploit the wealth or responsibility they are given for personal gain.
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.
పందికొక్కును పాతరలో పెడితే ఊరుకుంటుందా?
pandikokkunu pataralo pedite urukuntunda?
If you put a bandicoot in a storage pit, will it stay quiet?
This proverb is used to describe people whose inherent nature or bad habits cannot be changed even in favorable or restricted conditions. Just as a bandicoot will naturally dig through and destroy a grain storage pit (pathara) despite being surrounded by food, a person with a crooked nature will continue to do mischief or cause trouble regardless of where they are placed.
చూడ చుంచెలుక, గోడలు తవ్వ పందికొక్కు
chuda chuncheluka, godalu tavva pandikokku
To look at, it is like a musk rat, but to dig into walls it is like a bandicoot. Insignificant in appearance, but having the power of doing much harm. Little enemies and little wounds are not to be despised. (German.)
This proverb is used to describe someone who appears small, innocent, or harmless but is actually capable of causing significant mischief or performing surprisingly large tasks. It is similar to the English expression 'looks can be deceiving' or 'small but mighty' (often in a negative context).
పాలను చూడనా భాండాన్ని చూడనా
palanu chudana bhandanni chudana
Should I look at the milk or the vessel?
This expression is used to describe a dilemma where one must choose between the quality of the content and the appearance of the container. It is often applied to situations where someone is stuck between focusing on the value of a person or object versus their external flaws or surroundings.
వడ్లగాదిలో పందికొక్కులెక్క.
vadlagadilo pandikokkulekka.
Like a bandicoot in a paddy granary.
This expression is used to describe someone who has found themselves in a situation of extreme abundance and is greedily exploiting it. Just as a bandicoot that enters a storage bin full of grain eats to its heart's content without any effort, it refers to a person enjoying wealth or resources that they didn't necessarily earn, often becoming lazy or over-indulgent.
గాదె కింద పందికొక్కులాగా
gade kinda pandikokkulaga
Like a bandicoot under a grain silo
This expression describes a person who lives in luxury or abundance without having to work for it. Just as a bandicoot lives under a grain store (gaade) and eats the fallen grain effortlessly, it refers to someone who secretly or comfortably exploits a resource for their own benefit.
పాలు చూడనా, భాండాన్ని చూడనా?
palu chudana, bhandanni chudana?
Are we to look at milk or at the pot? The pot is only valued for the milk in it. The jewel is not to be valued for the cabinet.
This expression is used when someone is in a dilemma or a state of confusion between two tasks or priorities, implying that they cannot focus on one thing without worrying about the other. It describes a situation where a person is overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities.
కాల్చిన పందికొక్కులకు కొట్లాట పెట్టేవాడు.
kalchina pandikokkulaku kotlata pettevadu.
A person who makes roasted bandicoots fight.
This expression describes a mischief-maker or a master manipulator who creates conflicts between people even when there is no reason for it. Since 'roasted bandicoots' are dead and cannot move, the phrase hyper-bolically refers to someone who is so devious that they can stir up trouble or create a rift even among inanimate objects or people who have no intention of fighting.