ఎలుకకు పిల్లి పొంచు వేసినట్టు
elukaku pilli ponchu vesinattu
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.
Related Phrases
ఉత్త చేతులు మూర వేసినట్టు
utta chetulu mura vesinattu
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.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా, మట్టి పిల్లి అయినా, ఎలుకను పట్టినదే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina, matti pilli ayina, elukanu pattinade pilli
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.
సముద్రానికి ఏతము వేసినట్లు
samudraniki etamu vesinatlu
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.
ఇల్లు విప్పి పందిలి వేసినట్టు
illu vippi pandili vesinattu
He pulled his house to pieces and built a Pandili [ with the materials ]. Said of an arrant fool.
This expression describes a situation where someone destroys something permanent, valuable, or essential to create something temporary or of far less value. It is used to criticize poor decision-making and a lack of foresight.
ఎలుకకు పిల్లి సాక్షి
elukaku pilli sakshi
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.
ఎలుక చావుకు పిల్లి మూర్ఛపోనా?
eluka chavuku pilli murchhapona?
Will the cat faint at the death of the rat ? Indifference.
Used to highlight hypocrisy or fake sympathy. It points out that an enemy or someone who benefits from your misfortune will never truly grieve for you, even if they pretend to. It suggests that certain reactions are unnatural and unbelievable.
కాకులను కొట్టి గద్దలకు వేసినట్లు
kakulanu kotti gaddalaku vesinatlu
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.
బిడ్డను వేసి లోతు చూచినట్టు
biddanu vesi lotu chuchinattu
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.
దొంగ వాకిట మంచం వేసినట్లు
donga vakita mancham vesinatlu
Putting your bed in the yard of a thief's house. To watch his doings. Outwitting a crafty man.
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.
ఎలుకకు పిల్లి పొంచువేసినట్టు.
elukaku pilli ponchuvesinattu.
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.