ఎలుక ఎంత ఏడ్చినా పిల్లి తన పట్టు వదలదు.

eluka enta edchina pilli tana pattu vadaladu.

Translation

No matter how much the mouse cries, the cat will not release its grip.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a powerful person or an oppressor remains indifferent to the pleas or suffering of a victim. It implies that mercy is unlikely when there is a natural predator-prey relationship or a significant power imbalance, and the outcome is inevitable despite any amount of begging or sorrow.

Related Phrases

A cat which kills a rat is a cat, whether it be of wood or mud. If the work be well done, never mind the instrument.

This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the value of someone or something should be judged by their ability to perform their intended task or achieve a goal, rather than their outward characteristics or status.

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.

Even if the gold belongs to his own mother, a goldsmith will not spare it.

This proverb is used to describe people who are so professional, greedy, or habituated to their craft that they do not show bias or mercy even to their closest kin. It specifically refers to the old stereotype that a goldsmith invariably steals a small portion of gold during the making of jewelry, regardless of who the customer is.

A chicken eaten by a cat will not respond even if called.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has suffered a loss or been exploited, and no matter how much you try to reach out or rectify it, the damage is irreversible. It is often applied to someone who has gone missing or something that has been stolen/consumed, implying it is futile to expect a response or return.

The cat a witness in the rat's case. Interested evidence. A fox should not be of the jury at a goose trial.

This expression is used to describe a situation where two parties who are naturally biased or complicit with each other stand as witnesses for one another. It implies that the testimony is untrustworthy because both parties have a mutual interest or are equally corrupt, much like how a cat and mouse 'working together' would be an absurdity or a conspiracy.

However much the rat may cry, the cat will not let go her hold.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a powerful person or an oppressor remains indifferent to the pleas, suffering, or tears of the weak. It suggests that once someone has a decisive advantage or control over another, they are unlikely to show mercy just because the victim is lamenting their fate.

Whether it is a wooden cat or a clay cat, the one that catches the mouse is the real cat.

This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the effectiveness or utility of a person or a tool is more important than its form, cost, or status. It is used to convey that the end result is what truly matters in evaluating a solution.

The doctor won't leave you until you die, the priest won't leave you even after you die.

This proverb highlights how human life is constantly surrounded by various dependencies from birth to death and even beyond. It is often used humorously or cynically to describe how professionals or certain systems continue to extract fees or influence a person's life and their family's affairs throughout all stages of existence.

Will the dead return just because you cry?

This proverb is used to convey that worrying or grieving over something that is irrevocably lost is futile. It emphasizes the importance of accepting reality and moving forward, as some situations cannot be reversed regardless of how much emotional distress one expresses.

Like a cat lying in wait for a mouse.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is waiting stealthily or patiently for an opportunity to strike or catch another person off guard. It highlights a state of extreme vigilance, predatory caution, or a hidden threat lurking nearby.