దొంగ వాకిట మంచం వేసినట్లు

donga vakita mancham vesinatlu

Translation

Putting your bed in the yard of a thief's house. To watch his doings. Outwitting a crafty man.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unknowingly or foolishly seeks protection or places their trust in the very person who intends to harm or rob them. It signifies an act of extreme negligence or lack of common sense.

Related Phrases

Like measuring the air.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes grand plans or claims without having any resources, basis, or substance. It refers to the futility of trying to measure length (a cubit) when you have nothing to measure or no foundation to work from.

Idle dreams.

The midwife is under the bed, while the woman pretending to be pregnant is on the bed.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to deceive others with a lie, but they are doing so in the presence of someone who knows the absolute truth. It highlights the futility of trying to trick an expert or an eyewitness who is already aware of the reality.

Like fixing a pump to the sea. For full description of the Etam, Etām or Yâtâm (the Indian swape called by the English Picota) see Buchanan's Mysore. He is building a bridge over the sea.

This expression describes a futile or insignificant effort. An 'Etamu' (picota) is a traditional tool used to draw water from small wells for irrigation; using such a small tool to try and empty or impact a vast ocean is pointless and ineffective. It is used when someone's efforts are grossly inadequate for the scale of the task at hand.

Like a cat crouching for a mouse.

This expression describes a situation where someone is stealthily waiting for the right moment to ambush or catch someone off guard. It is used to denote extreme vigilance, patience, or a predatory stance in anticipation of an opponent's mistake.

Like mixing unripe tamarinds with Gôgu greens. Gôgu or Gôngguṛa is the Hibiscus Cannabinus. A combination of evil persons.

This expression describes a situation where something unnecessary or redundant is done, particularly when one sour ingredient is added to another already sour base. It is used to mock actions that are repetitive or when someone tries to over-emphasize a point that is already clear.

When the ghost was driven out through the back door, it came and stood at the front door.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a problem or an unwanted person returns immediately after being sent away, or when one trouble is replaced by another equally persistent one. It highlights the futility of temporary fixes for deep-rooted problems.

To kill crows and throw them to the kites.

This proverb is used to describe an act of taking away from the poor or weak to give to the rich or powerful. It highlights an unfair or unethical distribution of resources where those who have little are exploited to benefit those who already have plenty.

He robs Peter to pay Paul.

Like throwing a child into a well to find out the depth.

This expression is used to describe a foolish or reckless action where one risks something very precious just to test or find out something trivial or dangerous. It highlights extreme negligence or a lack of common sense in decision-making.

When he was called a good man, he jumped onto the cot and started leaping.

This expression is used to describe someone who takes undue advantage of others' kindness or praise. It refers to a person who, when treated with respect or leniency, behaves recklessly or exceeds their boundaries due to overconfidence or lack of discipline.

Like placing a cot at a thief's entrance.

This expression describes a futile or counterproductive action. It refers to a situation where one tries to guard or protect something by being in a place where the danger is already present or inevitable. It implies that the effort is useless because the 'thief' (problem) is already right there or the setup is ill-conceived.