గబ్బిలము ఆకాశము పడకుండా పట్టుకొంటాననుకొన్నట్టు.
gabbilamu akashamu padakunda pattukontananukonnattu.
Like the bat which thinks it holds up the sky and keeps it from falling.
This proverb is used to mock an individual's arrogance or delusions of grandeur. It describes a person who overestimates their own importance or capabilities, believing that a massive task or organization is succeeding solely because of their insignificant efforts.
Said of a man who thinks everything depends on himself.
Related Phrases
బయట తన్ని ఇంట్లో కాళ్లు పట్టుకున్నట్టు
bayata tanni intlo kallu pattukunnattu
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.
అవ్వను పట్టుకొని వసంతాలాడినట్టు
avvanu pattukoni vasantaladinattu
Like playing games with your grand-mother. Lit. "Throwing scarlet water over her," a sport among young people as marriages, &c.
This expression is used to describe an inappropriate or disrespectful act where someone behaves in a frivolous or playful manner with a person who deserves respect and dignity due to their age or stature. It highlights actions that are out of place or cross the boundaries of social etiquette.
Disrespectful and unseemly conduct towards elderly people.
కాలు పట్టుకొని లాగితే చూరు పట్టుకొని వేళ్ళాడినట్టు
kalu pattukoni lagite churu pattukoni velladinattu
When someone pulls the leg, hanging onto the eaves of the roof.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely stubborn or desperate to stay in a position or relationship even when they are being forcefully removed or rejected. It signifies a tenacious, often annoying, refusal to let go despite clear opposition.
తీగ లాగితే డొంకంతా కదిలినట్లు
tiga lagite donkanta kadilinatlu
When the creeper was pulled the whole bush shook. Injury to the head of the house reaches to all the members.
This expression is used when a small action or a single lead reveals a much larger hidden connection or a whole network of information. Similar to 'tugging at a thread,' it implies that investigating one small part of a situation can expose the entire hidden reality or involve everyone associated with it.
ఆకాశం పొడవు ఆకాశమే ఎరుగు
akasham podavu akashame erugu
The sky's length is known only to the sky.
This expression means that only someone of great stature, talent, or experience can truly understand the extent of another person's greatness or depth. It is used to suggest that common people cannot judge or comprehend the limits of extraordinary individuals or vast matters.
ముక్కు పట్టుకుంటే ప్రాణం పోదా?
mukku pattukunte pranam poda?
If I touch your nose will you lose your life ? A Guru was endeavouring to initiate his disciple into the mysteries of Prânâyâma ( see Wilson ) and touched his nose which the unwilling disciple pretended caused him intense pain. " This ceremony is performed in the following manner: 1st he [ the Brahman ] presses in the right nostril with the fourth finger of his left hand, repeating the name of each Deity; and counting them nine times over upon the joints of the fingers of his right hand with great rapidity, half closing his eyes the while, and drawing in his breath : then gently pressing in the left nostril with the thumb, he breathes out, repeating the same name as many times over. Then releasing the right nostril, and still pressing in the left with the thumb, he terminates the Prunayama [ Prânâyâma. ]" ( The Sundâya by Mrs. S. C. Belnos. ) Said of a lazy sculk.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a small or simple action has a direct, inevitable, and significant consequence. It is often used to point out that even a minor provocation or obstruction can lead to a major failure or total stop in functionality, much like how blocking someone's breath (at the nose) leads to the end of life.
దాగబోయిన చోట దయ్యాలు పట్టుకున్నట్లు
dagaboyina chota dayyalu pattukunnatlu
The devils caught him in the place he went to hide in. One ill calls another. (Italian.)
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, while trying to escape or hide from a small problem or danger, ends up encountering a much bigger or more terrifying trouble. It is similar to the English expression 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.'
కాలు పట్టుకొని లాగితే చూరు పట్టుకొని వేలాడేవాడు.
kalu pattukoni lagite churu pattukoni veladevadu.
When you pull him out by the leg, he holds on by the eaves.
This expression is used to describe an extremely stubborn, persistent, or shameless person who refuses to let go or give up. Even when someone tries to remove them or bring them down, they find another way to cling to their position or stay involved.
A man of no delicacy of feeling, not to be got rid of easily. A toady.
గతిలేనివాడు గాడిదకాళ్ళు పట్టుకొన్నట్లు
gatilenivadu gadidakallu pattukonnatlu
Like a helpless man clutching the legs of a donkey.
This expression is used to describe a person who, in a state of absolute desperation or helplessness, seeks assistance from someone completely insignificant, unworthy, or incapable of helping. It highlights the irony and humiliation of being forced to rely on the lowest possible means when one has no other choice.
తద్దినము కొని తెచ్చుకొన్నట్టు.
taddinamu koni techchukonnattu.
Buying a Taddinam. Bringing difficulties upon one's own head.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone voluntarily invites trouble or creates a headache for themselves by their own actions or choices. It is similar to the English expression 'to go looking for trouble' or 'asking for it.'
* Alterâ manu scabunt, altera ferunt.