ఏరు ఏడామడ ఉండగానే, చీర విప్పి చంకన పెట్టుకున్నట్టు

eru edamada undagane, chira vippi chankana pettukunnattu

Translation

She took off her cloth and put it under her arm, while the river was still seventy miles off.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe someone who acts with premature over-preparedness or haste. It refers to people who start preparing for a task or reacting to a situation long before it is actually necessary, often appearing foolish or over-anxious in the process.

Notes

Do not strip before bed time. (French.)*

Related Phrases

Like carrying a drum under the arm while going to commit a theft.

This proverb is used to describe someone who attempts to do something secret or stealthy but acts in a way that attracts unnecessary attention. Just as the sound or size of a drum would immediately expose a thief, certain foolish actions make it impossible to keep a secret mission hidden.

She allegedly took off her saree and tucked it under her arm even while the river was seven miles away.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is overly anxious or prepares prematurely for an event that is still very far off. It mocks people who take drastic actions or get excited about a situation long before it actually arrives.

Going into a village with a guana in one's arms.

This expression refers to bringing something extremely unlucky, troublesome, or dangerous into a community or household. In Telugu folklore, monitor lizards are traditionally associated with bad luck or 'shani'; bringing one home is seen as inviting disaster through one's own foolish actions.

Eccentric conduct.

Like carrying a cat under the arm while going to a wedding

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone brings along an unnecessary burden or an unlucky distraction that ruins an important or auspicious occasion. It highlights the foolishness of creating complications for oneself when things should be simple and celebratory.

Like going to a wedding while carrying a cat under one's arm.

This expression describes a situation where someone brings along an unnecessary burden or a nuisance while trying to perform an important task. It refers to people who create their own obstacles or distractions that make a simple or celebratory event difficult for themselves and others.

Like a man with butter in the palm of his hand, calling out for ghi.

This proverb is used to describe a person who searches for something everywhere when it is already within their possession or reach. It highlights the irony of being unaware of the resources one already has while complaining about a lack of results (since ghee is made by melting butter).

Going to a marriage with a cat under your arm.

This expression refers to someone who burdens themselves with unnecessary or problematic things while heading to an important event or starting a new task. It highlights how focusing on trivial or distracting matters can ruin a significant occasion or lead to unwanted trouble.

The cat is a bad omen. Transgressing the rules of society.

The river was still four leagues away, but she already stripped and held her saree in her hand.

This expression is used to describe someone who acts prematurely or over-prepares for a situation long before it is necessary. It mocks excessive anxiety or unnecessary haste in anticipation of a future event.

Taking off your clothes and tucking them under your arm while the river is still miles away.

This expression is used to describe someone who acts prematurely or prepares excessively early for an event that hasn't happened yet. It highlights the foolishness of taking unnecessary actions or worrying about a future hurdle long before it is actually reached.

Like entering a village while carrying a monitor lizard under one's arm.

This proverb is used to describe someone who knowingly or unknowingly brings a source of misfortune, bad luck, or a huge problem into their own home or community. In Telugu folklore, carrying a monitor lizard (udumu) is traditionally considered a bad omen that brings ruin to the place it enters.