గుడ్డిది నీళ్ళకుపోతే ముగ్గురికి చేటు

guddidi nillakupote mugguriki chetu

Translation

If a blind woman goes to fetch water, it causes harm to three people.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an incompetent person attempts a task they cannot handle, resulting in multiple casualties or problems. The 'three' usually refers to the woman herself (who might fall), the pot (which might break), and the person waiting for the water (who remains thirsty).

Related Phrases

When I went for water, the well went deep.

This proverb is used to describe a stroke of extreme bad luck or a situation where a person's presence seems to make things go wrong. It implies that even a simple task becomes impossible or the resources disappear just when a specific person tries to access them, often used in a self-deprecating or sarcastic manner about one's own misfortune.

The large pot disappeared in the midst of three. i. e. it could not possibly be carried off from the midst of a number of people without some one perceiving it.

This proverb is used to convey that a secret or a piece of information cannot remain hidden for long when more than two people are involved. It emphasizes that the more people who know a secret, the higher the likelihood of it being leaked or discovered.

Love is blind

This expression is used to describe how someone in love often overlooks or fails to see the faults, flaws, or negative traits of the person they love. It suggests that emotion can cloud one's rational judgment.

If the mistress of the house be blind, all the pots will be broken. Without supervision things will go to ruin. When the gude wife's awa', the keys are tint. (Scotch.)

This proverb highlights the importance of the primary person in charge of a task being capable and attentive. If the person responsible for managing a household (or an organization) is unable to see or manage things properly, it leads to the loss and destruction of the resources under their care. It is used to describe how a lack of supervision or competence in leadership leads to waste and damage.

If you go forward, she is a dirty woman; if you go backward, she is a mad woman.

This proverb is used to describe a 'catch-22' or a 'no-win' situation where every available option leads to a negative or unpleasant outcome. It is similar to the English expressions 'between a rock and a hard place' or 'between the devil and the deep blue sea.'

If three people know, it spreads to the three worlds

This expression is used to emphasize that a secret or a piece of information cannot be kept hidden once it is shared with even a few people. It suggests that news travels fast and will soon become public knowledge if shared beyond a single person.

A stone design and a monkey's design

This expression refers to something that is messy, disorganized, or poorly executed. It compares a drawing or task to a pattern made by a monkey or on rough stone, implying it lacks clarity, beauty, or skill. It is often used to describe bad handwriting or a chaotic situation.

If the lady of the house is blind, it is a loss for the pots in the house.

This proverb highlights that if the person in charge is incompetent, negligent, or lacks vision, it leads to the destruction or wastage of resources. It is used to describe how the lack of proper management or oversight results in avoidable losses within a family, organization, or project.

Thinking the cat was blind, the mouse showed its rear end

This proverb describes a situation where someone takes a foolish risk by overestimating their safety or underestimating an opponent's capability. It is used to mock people who act overconfidently or disrespectfully toward someone they perceive as weak or incapacitated, often leading to their own downfall when the perceived weakness turns out to be false or insufficient protection.

Tall is vulnerable to wind, short is vulnerable to water

This proverb highlights that every physical trait has its own disadvantage depending on the situation. Just as a tall tree or person is more likely to be affected by strong winds (or storms), a short person or object is more likely to be submerged or affected by rising waters (or floods). It is used to suggest that no one is perfectly safe or superior in all circumstances.