కొండను తవ్వి ఎలుకను పట్టినట్ళు.
kondanu tavvi elukanu pattinatlu.
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.
Related Phrases
చూడను చుంచెలుక, గోడలు త్రవ్వను పందికొక్కు
chudanu chuncheluka, godalu travvanu pandikokku
To look at, a tiny mouse; to dig through walls, a bandicoot.
This expression is used to describe someone who looks small, innocent, or harmless in appearance but possesses a surprising capacity for destruction or performs heavy, unexpected tasks. It is similar to the English proverb 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' but specifically focuses on hidden strength or deceptive capability.
ఎర్రను చూపి చేపను పట్టినట్టు
erranu chupi chepanu pattinattu
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 )
వేరు తవ్వి వేణ్నీళ్లు పోసినట్టు
veru tavvi vennillu posinattu
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.
ఏది పట్టినా దయ్యము పట్టినట్లు
edi pattina dayyamu pattinatlu
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.
తవ్వి మీద తోసుకున్నట్లు
tavvi mida tosukunnatlu
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.
తిని ఉండలేక, తాగి బొందను పడినట్లు
tini undaleka, tagi bondanu padinatlu
Like eating too much, getting drunk, and falling into a pit.
This expression is used to describe a person who, despite having everything they need (food and comfort), creates unnecessary trouble for themselves through reckless behavior or bad habits. It refers to someone who ruins their own peace or stability by overindulging or being irresponsible.
తాను పట్టిన కుందేలుకు మూడే కాళ్ళు.
tanu pattina kundeluku mude kallu.
For the hare he has caught there are only three legs. (Note the absurdity of the
Some people become dogmatic and argue that the most absurd is the most reasonable. We should be prepared to accept the weakness of our argument and be ready to learn from others.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా మట్టిపిల్లి అయినా ఎలుకను పట్టిందే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina mattipilli ayina elukanu pattinde pilli
Whether it is a wooden cat or a clay cat, the one that catches the mouse is the real cat.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the effectiveness or utility of a person or a tool is more important than its form, cost, or status. It is used to convey that the end result is what truly matters in evaluating a solution.
కొండ తవ్వి ఎలుకను పట్టినట్టు
konda tavvi elukanu pattinattu
Digging up a mountain to catch a rat.
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.
ఎత్తి వేసి చేపను పట్టినట్లు
etti vesi chepanu pattinatlu
Like lifting and throwing (water) to catch a fish.
This expression refers to a traditional method of catching fish by bailing water out of a small pond or puddle until it is dry enough to catch the fish by hand. It is used to describe a situation where someone puts in a lot of hard work, effort, or systematic labor to achieve a specific goal or to expose something hidden.