ఏనుగు మదిస్తే నెత్తిన మన్ను వేసుకుంటుంది

enugu madiste nettina mannu vesukuntundi

Translation

When the elephant is in rut, he throws earth on his head. Pride goes before and shame follows after.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person, blinded by arrogance, power, or anger, acts in a way that is ultimately self-destructive. Just as a rogue elephant ruins its own majesty by covering itself in dirt, a person's lack of self-control or ego leads to their own downfall or loss of reputation.

Related Phrases

Like an elephant pouring sand on its own head

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone brings trouble upon themselves or ruins their own reputation through their own foolish actions, despite having power or status. Just as an elephant takes a bath and immediately throws dust on itself, it refers to self-destructive behavior.

Burnt earth will not adhere to unburnt. People in different positions in life cannot be very intimate.

This expression is used to describe two people or entities that are fundamentally incompatible or cannot reconcile their differences. Just as burnt clay/soil loses its binding property and cannot merge with raw, unburnt soil, people with opposing natures or those who have had a major falling out cannot be easily brought back together.

The village tells you to leave, the graveyard tells you to come.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is very old and near the end of their life. It signifies that their time in the world of the living (the village) is over, and they are ready for the afterlife or burial ground (the graveyard).

When he applied medicine to his bad eye, the sight of the other eye was lost.

This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to fix a problem or recover a loss ends up causing even more damage or losing what little was left. It is used when a remedy is worse than the disease or when a risky move results in a total loss.

He threw mud into the mouth of the jackal. i. e. he cheated him. Said of the surprising recovery of a sick man who had been given up, and whose body it was expected might provide food for the jackals.

This expression is used when someone unexpectedly ruins another person's opportunity or takes away something they were about to enjoy. It describes a situation where a person's expectations or efforts are suddenly thwarted by someone else's interference, leaving them disappointed.

When an elephant goes into musth, it throws dust on its own head.

This proverb describes how an arrogant or intoxicated person often brings about their own downfall or ruin. Just as a rogue elephant in musth (a state of aggression) blindly tosses dirt on itself, a person blinded by pride or power will make foolish decisions that harm their own reputation and well-being.

Like hitting soil on a fox's mouth.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's plans or expectations are completely ruined or blocked at the very last moment, often resulting in great disappointment. It is similar to the English idiom 'to take the bread out of someone's mouth'.

When asked, 'Where did this authority come from?', he replied, 'It was in the corner, so I put it on my head.'

This proverb is used to mock someone who assumes authority or responsibility that was never given to them, or someone who takes control of a situation simply because it was neglected or vacant. It highlights the absurdity of self-appointed leadership or unearned bossiness.

When told 'well done, fellow', he took the boon and put it on his head.

This proverb is used to describe someone who takes a small compliment or a casual word of encouragement too far and becomes over-confident or arrogant. It refers to a person who doesn't know how to handle praise modestly and starts acting as if they are superior or have been granted a divine favor.

Like asking for a tax on the bundle carried on one's own head

This expression describes an act of extreme greed or unreasonable demands. It refers to a situation where a person who is already struggling with a heavy burden is further troubled by someone demanding taxes or fees for that very labor. It is used when authorities or individuals impose unfair costs on basic necessities or hard-earned work.