దోనె చేయబోయి సోల చేశాడట.

done cheyaboyi sola cheshadata.

Translation

He intended to make a large boat but ended up making a small measuring cup.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts a grand or ambitious project but, due to incompetence or poor planning, ends up with something very small or insignificant. It highlights failure in scaling or a mismatch between ambition and ability.

Related Phrases

Going to graze and getting it stuck around the neck

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to gain a benefit or enjoy something, but instead ends up getting trapped in a problem or incurring an unwanted responsibility. It is similar to the English concept of 'getting more than one bargained for' in a negative sense.

Do not manage temple affairs

This expression serves as a warning against managing or meddling with public or religious funds/property. In a traditional context, it implies that handling temple administration (Manayam) often leads to false accusations, spiritual downfall, or great difficulty in maintaining absolute honesty, thus suggesting it is better to avoid such positions of public trust where integrity is easily questioned.

Like trying to teach the eight-syllabled mantra to Ghantakarna.

This expression refers to a futile effort or wasted advice given to someone who is fundamentally opposed to listening or changing. Ghantakarna was a legendary character who wore bells on his ears to avoid hearing the name of Vishnu. It is used when one attempts to teach something good to a person who is intentionally deaf to it or has a completely opposite mindset.

Like trying to preach the Ashtakshari mantra to Ghantakarna

This expression is used to describe a situation where one tries to give advice or teach something to a person who is fundamentally opposed or completely indifferent to it. Ghantakarna was a character who wore bells on his ears to avoid hearing the name of Vishnu; hence, teaching him a Vishnu mantra (Ashtakshari) is a futile effort.

Like trying to make a sacred bull but ending up making a pig.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to create or do something noble, beautiful, or perfect, but due to lack of skill or an unfortunate mistake, ends up creating something ugly, ruined, or messed up. It is often used to mock incompetence or a failed endeavor that went horribly wrong.

When he claimed to be a merchant, he sold only three measures of grain.

This expression is used to mock someone who boasts about their greatness or skills but fails to deliver even a small result. It highlights the gap between grand claims and mediocre performance.

Like going to graze and getting it stuck around the neck

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to gain a benefit or take advantage of something, but instead ends up getting trapped in a problem or creating a new liability for themselves. It is similar to the English concept of 'getting more than one bargained for' in a negative sense.

Trying to make an idol of a teacher (or god), but it turned into a monkey.

This expression is used when a well-intentioned task or project goes completely wrong due to incompetence or unexpected errors, resulting in something unintended and often ridiculous. It describes a situation where an attempt to create something noble or superior ends up as a mess.

The woman who worked got fish, the woman who didn't got termites.

This proverb emphasizes that hard work leads to fruitful results, while laziness or procrastination leads to waste and decay. It is used to motivate someone to put in effort to reap rewards rather than letting opportunities rot away.

When trying to make a sage, it turned into a cat

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to do something great or noble, but due to lack of skill or bad luck, the end result is mediocre or a failure. It is similar to the English expression 'The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.' Note: The user provided 'Malli' (Jasmine) or 'Munni', but the standard proverb is 'Muni' (Sage/Ascetic).