హంస నడకలు రాకపోయె, కాకి నడకలు మరిచిపోయె.

hamsa nadakalu rakapoye, kaki nadakalu marichipoye.

Translation

Could not learn the swan's gait, and forgot the crow's gait.

Meaning

This expression refers to a situation where someone tries to imitate others' superior skills or lifestyle but fails to master them, while simultaneously losing their own natural abilities or original identity. It is used to describe someone who ends up 'nowhere' by trying to be someone they are not.

Related Phrases

If shown, honor is lost; if not shown, life is lost.

This expression describes a critical dilemma or a 'catch-22' situation where every available option leads to a negative outcome. It is traditionally used in contexts like a medical emergency involving a modest person, or any situation where one must choose between a loss of dignity and a loss of life/safety.

Three hundred gold coins were lost, the mustache was lost, and they still called him Nambi Somayajulu.

This proverb describes a situation where someone undergoes a significant sacrifice or suffers a heavy loss to achieve a certain status or goal, but despite the sacrifice, the end result is humiliating or they are still addressed by a lesser title. It is used to mock situations where one loses both wealth and dignity for a futile outcome.

Lost in childhood, lost in the wedding pandal, if there is anything left, let me know.

This proverb is used to mock someone who is extremely irresponsible or careless. It refers to a person who has wasted or lost everything they owned at different stages of life, yet still asks if there is anything remaining to squander. It describes a state of total loss due to negligence.

What one had is gone, and what one kept (or acquired) is also gone.

This expression describes a situation where a person loses their original possessions or status while unsuccessfully trying to gain something more. It is used to caution against excessive greed or poor decision-making that results in a total loss of both the old and the new.

When one finally chose a time to play after a long wait, the washerman reportedly ran away with the clothes.

This proverb describes a situation where a person faces an unexpected hurdle or bad luck the one time they finally decide to do something or celebrate. It is used when a rare opportunity is ruined by an unfortunate coincidence.

Seeing a swan, a crow tried to walk with style and pride, only to stumble.

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to imitate someone more graceful, talented, or superior in status, but fails miserably and looks foolish in the process. It emphasizes that one should be natural and not try to copy others' innate traits.

One died after constant worrying, while the other died after cooking and eating.

This proverb is used to illustrate the unpredictability of life and death. It suggests that whether one lives in constant anxiety and hardship or lives comfortably and enjoys life, the end (death) is inevitable for everyone. It is often used to advise against excessive worrying about the future or to point out that fate eventually catches up to everyone regardless of their lifestyle.

Like asking why a seven-month-old is not walking.

This expression is used to describe someone who is being impatient or expecting results prematurely. It highlights the absurdity of expecting an outcome before the natural or required amount of time has passed, just as it is unrealistic to expect a seven-month-old infant to walk.

Snail's pace

This expression is used to describe something that is moving or progressing extremely slowly. It is commonly used to criticize slow administrative processes, delayed projects, or people who are taking too long to complete a task.

Even if the girl doesn't come, won't the yawns come?

This expression is used to describe a situation where certain natural or inevitable consequences occur regardless of the main person or event's presence. It often implies that while the primary expectation wasn't met, the associated habits, side effects, or unavoidable routines still manifest.