ఇల్లు విప్పి పందిలి వేసినట్టు

illu vippi pandili vesinattu

Translation

He pulled his house to pieces and built a Pandili [ with the materials ]. Said of an arrant fool.

Meaning

This expression describes a situation where someone destroys something permanent, valuable, or essential to create something temporary or of far less value. It is used to criticize poor decision-making and a lack of foresight.

Related Phrases

Like measuring the air.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes grand plans or claims without having any resources, basis, or substance. It refers to the futility of trying to measure length (a cubit) when you have nothing to measure or no foundation to work from.

Idle dreams.

Like fixing a pump to the sea. For full description of the Etam, Etām or Yâtâm (the Indian swape called by the English Picota) see Buchanan's Mysore. He is building a bridge over the sea.

This expression describes a futile or insignificant effort. An 'Etamu' (picota) is a traditional tool used to draw water from small wells for irrigation; using such a small tool to try and empty or impact a vast ocean is pointless and ineffective. It is used when someone's efforts are grossly inadequate for the scale of the task at hand.

Like a cat crouching for a mouse.

This expression describes a situation where someone is stealthily waiting for the right moment to ambush or catch someone off guard. It is used to denote extreme vigilance, patience, or a predatory stance in anticipation of an opponent's mistake.

Like mixing unripe tamarinds with Gôgu greens. Gôgu or Gôngguṛa is the Hibiscus Cannabinus. A combination of evil persons.

This expression describes a situation where something unnecessary or redundant is done, particularly when one sour ingredient is added to another already sour base. It is used to mock actions that are repetitive or when someone tries to over-emphasize a point that is already clear.

Like throwing stones at the pots in a water-shed.

This expression is used to describe a cruel or senseless act of sabotage. A 'Chalipandiri' is a booth set up to provide free drinking water to thirsty travelers during summer; throwing stones into those pots breaks them and deprives people of water. It refers to someone causing unnecessary harm to a public good or a charitable cause.

Will a canopy built over a scaffold stop the rain?

This proverb is used to describe efforts that are futile or insufficient for a larger problem. Just as a small thatch or canopy over a crop-watching platform cannot prevent the entire field from getting wet during a downpour, small-scale solutions cannot solve systemic or massive issues.

To kill crows and throw them to the kites.

This proverb is used to describe an act of taking away from the poor or weak to give to the rich or powerful. It highlights an unfair or unethical distribution of resources where those who have little are exploited to benefit those who already have plenty.

He robs Peter to pay Paul.

Like throwing a child into a well to find out the depth.

This expression is used to describe a foolish or reckless action where one risks something very precious just to test or find out something trivial or dangerous. It highlights extreme negligence or a lack of common sense in decision-making.

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.

Putting your bed in the yard of a thief's house. To watch his doings. Outwitting a crafty man.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unknowingly or foolishly seeks protection or places their trust in the very person who intends to harm or rob them. It signifies an act of extreme negligence or lack of common sense.