గోచి విప్పేసి, పాగా చుట్టినట్టు.

gochi vippesi, paga chuttinattu.

Translation

Taking off the loincloth to tie a turban.

Meaning

This proverb describes a person who tries to look dignified or grand by sacrificing basic necessities or essential integrity. It refers to someone who prioritizes outward appearance or status over fundamental needs, or someone who fixes a minor problem by creating a more embarrassing or critical one.

Related Phrases

Like eating what was available and asking to strip off the clothes before leaving.

This proverb describes an extreme case of ungratefulness or exploitation. It refers to a situation where someone takes everything a person has to offer and then humiliates them or leaves them with absolutely nothing. It is used to criticize those who benefit from someone's hospitality or help and then treat them cruelly or greedily.

Like untying the loincloth and wrapping it around the head

This expression describes a situation where one solves a problem by creating another equally bad or inconvenient problem, or shifting resources from one essential place to another without any real gain. It is often used to criticize poor management or awkward solutions.

Like hoisting a flag (or placing a turban) in a fort.

This expression is used to describe achieving a significant victory, establishing control over a difficult territory, or successfully securing a position in a place that seemed hard to reach. It signifies a major milestone or a successful 'conquest' in a professional or personal context.

Like saying the head is crooked because one doesn't know how to tie a turban

This expression describes a situation where someone blames external factors or others for their own lack of skill or failure. It is similar to the English proverb: 'A bad workman always blames his tools.'

The head is a relative, but the tail is an enemy.

This proverb describes a hypocritical or double-faced person who acts like a friend or well-wisher to one's face (the head) but secretly harbors malice or causes harm behind their back (the tail). It is used to warn someone about people whose intentions are not consistent.

Like throwing salt into the fire

This expression is used to describe a situation that has suddenly become chaotic, loud, or highly reactive. Just as salt crackles and pops aggressively when thrown into a fire, it refers to a person getting extremely angry or a situation escalating into a noisy disturbance instantly.

A snake's grudge, a tail's kinship

This proverb is used to describe deep-seated, long-lasting enmity. It implies that just as a snake is believed to carry a grudge for a long time, some rivalries are permanent and cannot be easily resolved. It is often used to warn someone about an unforgiving enemy who waits for the right moment to strike.

The snake is your relation, and it's hood your enemy. Being on friendly terms with members of a family though on bad terms with the head of the house.

This proverb describes a paradoxical situation where a person might be close to you or appear friendly, but their inherent nature or specific actions are dangerous and hostile. It is used to warn someone about a treacherous person who cannot be fully trusted despite a formal relationship or acquaintance.

Taking the cloth from the waist and wrapping it around the head

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone solves one problem by creating another, or uses a resource meant for a fundamental necessity to satisfy a less critical need. It refers to poor planning or a makeshift solution that lacks common sense, as leaving the waist uncovered to cover the head is counterproductive.

A relative in words, but not a relative at mealtime.

This expression describes people who offer verbal sympathy or make grand promises but disappear when actual help or hospitality (like providing a meal) is required. It refers to someone who is friendly only on the surface and avoids the responsibility of true friendship or kinship.