కుక్కకు జలతారు టోపి పెట్టినట్లు

kukkaku jalataru topi pettinatlu

Translation

Like putting a gold-embroidered cap on a dog.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where something valuable, elegant, or high-quality is given to someone who doesn't deserve it or cannot appreciate its worth. It refers to a mismatch between an object's value and the recipient's character or status.

Related Phrases

Like lighting smoke because one cannot directly ask someone to leave

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone wants to get rid of a person or end a situation but doesn't want to say it directly. Instead, they create uncomfortable conditions or make things difficult to force the person to leave on their own accord. It is synonymous with 'indirectly forcing someone out'.

Saree is a painting, blouse is gold lace

This expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally well-dressed or a situation where things are very decorative and ornate. It highlights a perfect aesthetic combination where both the main element (saree) and the accessory (blouse) are of high quality and beauty.

Like placing a burning brand on a sore.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone adds insult to injury or makes an already painful situation much worse. It is similar to the English idiom 'to rub salt in the wound'.

Like giving cheese to a fever patient or putting butter on a split head.

This expression describes an act that is counterproductive, harmful, or poorly timed. Just as dairy is traditionally avoided during a fever in Ayurveda and butter won't heal a deep head wound, it refers to actions that worsen a situation despite appearing like a gesture of care or help.

When the dog that ate the food ran away, breaking the leg of the dog that was just watching.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an innocent person is punished for the mistakes or crimes committed by someone else who escaped. It highlights unfair treatment or misplaced anger.

Will a hat meant for the sun withstand a hailstorm?

This proverb is used to explain that something designed for a minor or common problem cannot withstand a much larger or more severe crisis. It highlights the inadequacy of weak defenses or small solutions when faced with extreme challenges.

Like tying golden tassels to a dog.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something beautiful, valuable, or sophisticated is given to someone who cannot appreciate its worth or is completely unsuitable for it. It highlights the mismatch between an elegant ornament and an unworthy recipient, often used to mock unnecessary or tasteless ornamentation.

Like placing butter on the head and tying a waistband made of prawns.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely foolish or setting themselves up for a loss. Placing butter on the head (which melts in the sun) and using prawns (which are scavenged by crows and dogs) as a waistband implies that the person's assets or efforts will quickly vanish or be snatched away due to poor planning.

Like building a dam after the water has already flowed away

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes corrective action or precautions after the damage has already been done and it is too late to be effective. It is similar to the English proverb 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.

Like placing legs on two boats

This expression refers to a situation where a person is trying to pursue two different or conflicting paths at the same time. It signifies instability and the risk of failure in both endeavors, much like how one would fall into the water if the two boats they are standing on drift apart. It is used to advise someone to be decisive and commit to a single course of action.