ఎలుక మీది కోపంతో ఇంటికి చిచ్చు పెట్టుకున్నట్టు

eluka midi kopanto intiki chichchu pettukunnattu

Translation

Like getting angry with a rat and setting fire to one's house.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone, in an attempt to solve a minor problem or take revenge for a small annoyance, ends up causing immense, disproportionate damage to themselves. It warns against letting anger cloud one's judgment and taking self-destructive actions.

Notes

Burn not your house to fright away the mice.

Related Phrases

Kicking [a man ] when out of doors and falling at his feet in the house. Disgracing him in public and cringing to him in private.

This expression describes a hypocritical or manipulative behavior where someone insults or harms a person in public (or treats them poorly elsewhere) and then tries to act humble or seek forgiveness in private. It refers to a person who tries to cover up their public misdeeds with private apologies or subservience.

There is more love for the one who provides ornaments than for the one who provides the wedding knot.

This proverb is used to criticize people who value material wealth, gifts, or superficial displays of affection over the person who actually provides stability, commitment, and true companionship (like a husband). It highlights human greed or the tendency to favor those who offer temporary luxuries over those who fulfill lifelong responsibilities.

The jackal branded himself with spots like a tiger. Vulgar display. Apeing one's superiors.

This proverb is used to describe a person who foolishly tries to imitate someone superior or more capable than themselves, often resulting in self-harm or ridicule. It highlights the folly of blind imitation without having the inherent nature or strength of the person being copied.

All kinds of savours run over my tongue, [and taste] just as if a firebrand was put on it. Said by a man to a wretched cook.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who has enjoyed many luxuries or pleasures finds it extremely difficult and painful to adjust to a life of hardship or poverty. It highlights the agony of losing a comfortable lifestyle.

Cutting a tree and letting it fall on one's self. Bringing trouble on one's own head. The fool hunts for misfortune. (French.)

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's own actions or attempts to solve a problem backfire, causing them self-inflicted harm or trouble. It is similar to the English idiom 'to dig one's own grave' or 'to shoot oneself in the foot'.

* Plega l'albero quando à giovane. † Gammel Green bryder nær den skal boles. Le fou cherche son malheur.

Like a fox branding itself with stripes after seeing a tiger.

This proverb is used to describe someone who foolishly tries to imitate others who are naturally superior or more capable, often causing harm to themselves in the process. It highlights the vanity and folly of blind imitation without having the inherent strength or status of the person being mimicked.

Anger toward the mother is taken out on the child.

This proverb describes a situation where a person redirects their frustration or anger from its original source toward someone else who is vulnerable or associated with that source. It is used to point out unfair treatment where an innocent party suffers for someone else's mistake or due to a displaced grudge.

Like buying and bringing a disease with which the body is not troubled. Wilfully bringing trouble on one's self.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone unnecessarily invites trouble or creates a problem for themselves when things were perfectly fine before. It refers to self-inflicted complications or meddling in affairs that lead to unwanted stress.

Like setting one's own house on fire out of anger toward a rat.

This proverb describes a situation where someone, driven by anger over a minor nuisance or a small problem, takes a drastic action that results in their own massive loss. It warns against overreacting and losing perspective, as the self-inflicted damage far outweighs the original problem.

Like taking an oath in a fit of passion.

This expression describes a situation where someone makes a rash decision or a solemn promise in a fit of rage, which they eventually regret or find difficult to uphold once they calm down. It is used to caution against making life-altering commitments when one is not in a stable emotional state.