కొండ తవ్వి ఎలుకను పట్టినట్టు

konda tavvi elukanu pattinattu

Translation

Digging up a mountain to catch a rat.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a massive amount of effort, time, or resources is spent to achieve a very small, insignificant, or disappointing result. It highlights the disproportion between the struggle and the outcome.

Related Phrases

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.

Like lice infesting a bald head.

Used to describe a situation that is logically impossible, highly improbable, or a baseless allegation. Just as lice cannot live on a head without hair, this expression mocks claims or events that lack any foundation or sense.

A cat which kills a rat is a cat, whether it be of wood or mud. If the work be well done, never mind the instrument.

This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the value of someone or something should be judged by their ability to perform their intended task or achieve a goal, rather than their outward characteristics or status.

Like catching a fish with a worm. Fish follow the bait.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is lured or deceived into a trap using a small incentive or temptation to achieve a much larger gain or to manipulate them.

* At skære l fremmed Ore er ikke anderledes end i Filtehat. † Der Narben lacht, wer Wunden nie gefühlt. 10 ( 73 )

A rat on the Lingam. One is afraid to knock the rat off lest he should strike the Lingam, and at the same time he cannot bear to see the emblem so insulted. A difficult dilemma.

This expression refers to a situation where one is in a dilemma or helpless state. Because a mouse is sitting on a sacred Shivalinga, one cannot hit the mouse for fear of desecrating the idol, nor can one leave it there. It describes a delicate predicament where taking action is as problematic as remaining inactive.

He dug and threw [the earth] on his own head.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone creates a problem for themselves or invites trouble through their own unnecessary actions. It signifies self-inflicted harm or a blunder that results in one's own downfall.

To dig out the roots and pour in hot water. To ruin a man utterly.

This expression is used to describe an action that is intended to destroy something completely from its foundation or to harm someone under the guise of helping. Just as pouring hot water on a dug-up root ensures the plant will never grow back, this refers to absolute destruction or irreversible damage.

It is like digging up a mountain to catch a mouse.

A fruitless endeavor considering what is obtained by the effort. Sometimes, one makes herculean efforts but achieves precious little.

Whatever one touches/holds, it is as if a ghost has possessed it.

This expression is used to describe someone who goes to extremes or becomes obsessively persistent in whatever task they undertake. It can also refer to someone who consistently encounters bad luck or complications in every endeavor they start, as if it were cursed or jinxed.

Like digging and pushing it onto oneself.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unnecessarily creates a problem for themselves through their own actions or meddling. It is similar to 'digging one's own grave' or bringing avoidable trouble upon one's own head.