ఏనుగును తెచ్చి ఏకుల బుట్టలో ఉంచి, అది తన నెత్తిన పెట్టి తన్ను ఎత్తుకో అన్నట్టు.
enugunu techchi ekula buttalo unchi, adi tana nettina petti tannu ettuko annattu.
He tells me to put the elephant into the cotton basket, to place the basket on his head, and to lift him up. Ékulabuttā is a very small hand basket. Being asked to do an utter impossibility.
This expression describes a person who creates an impossibly heavy or complicated situation through their own foolish actions and then expects others to help them out of it. It highlights the absurdity of self-created burdens and the unreasonable expectation for others to solve problems that defy logic.
Related Phrases
తంతె గరెల బుట్టలొ పడ్డట్టు
tante garela buttalo paddattu
A kick landed one in a basket of garelu (cookies)
When some harm is intended to be inflicted on a person, sometimes the person gets benefited by that. Occasionally, evil intentions and actions of others may turn out to be beneficial.
తాడి తన్నే వానిని తలతన్నే వాడుంటాడు
tadi tanne vanini talatanne vaduntadu
For someone who can kick a palm tree, there will be someone who can kick their head.
This expression is used to remind people that no matter how powerful, clever, or skilled they think they are, there is always someone more capable or superior to them. It is a warning against arrogance and a reminder that every expert has a master.
ఏనుగు తన నెత్తిన తానే మన్ను పోసుకున్నట్లు
enugu tana nettina tane mannu posukunnatlu
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.
కత్తి తీసి కంపలో వేసి ఏకు తీసి పొడుచుకుంటానన్నట్టు
katti tisi kampalo vesi eku tisi poduchukuntanannattu
Like a man throwing away the knife and threatening to kill himself with a flock of cotton. Saying and doing are two things.
This proverb is used to describe someone who avoids dealing with real problems or major challenges but makes a great fuss or drama over something trivial and harmless. It mocks a person who displays false bravado or reacts disproportionately to minor issues while ignoring the actual tools or solutions available to them.
తాడి తన్ను వాని తల తన్ను వాడు ఉండును.
tadi tannu vani tala tannu vadu undunu.
There will be one who can kick the head of the one who kicks the top of a palm tree.
There are always people who are of superior abilities. One should try for the best in life, but after achieving a good position in life, one should not feel that one is at the top of the world; there are still higher peaks to reach.
నా సద్ది తెచ్చి నీ ఇడుపున పెట్టుకొని తినడమెందుకు?
na saddi techchi ni idupuna pettukoni tinadamenduku?
Why should I bring my packed meal and keep it in your lap to eat?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone expects another person to do all the work or provide all the resources, only for the other person to take the credit or maintain control over the outcome. It signifies a redundant or exploitative arrangement where one party gains nothing despite providing everything.
ఏకులు ఉంచితే బుట్ట చిరుగుతుందా?
ekulu unchite butta chirugutunda?
Will a basket be broken by being filled with flocks of cotton ?
This expression is used to highlight when someone is being excessively cautious, fragile, or lazy. Cotton slivers (ekulu) are extremely light; if someone suggests that such a light weight could break a basket, it implies they are making ridiculous excuses to avoid work or are being unnecessarily fearful of a harmless situation.
Ineffectual measures.
తనను కట్టే తాళ్ళు తానే తెచ్చుకున్నట్టు
tananu katte tallu tane techchukunnattu
Like bringing the very ropes that will be used to tie oneself up.
This proverb describes a situation where a person's own actions, decisions, or words inadvertently lead to their own downfall, trouble, or restriction. It is used when someone creates the very tools or circumstances that others eventually use against them.
ఎక్కువగా తిన్న పొట్ట, ఏకుల పెట్టిన బుట్టి చిరగవు
ekkuvaga tinna potta, ekula pettina butti chiragavu
A stomach that has eaten a lot and a basket filled with cotton rolls will not tear.
This proverb suggests that the human stomach and certain containers are surprisingly resilient. It is often used to imply that the body can handle a large meal without literal damage, or more broadly, that things designed for a specific capacity often have a natural elasticity or strength beyond appearances.
చెట్టును తేరా అంటే, గుట్టను తెచ్చినట్లు
chettunu tera ante, guttanu techchinatlu
When asked to bring a tree, it is like bringing a hillock.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task that is vastly different in scale or nature from what was actually requested, usually due to a lack of understanding or excessive, misdirected effort. It highlights the mismatch between the instruction and the execution.