కుక్క తోక పట్టుకుని గోదావరి ఈదవచ్చునా?

kukka toka pattukuni godavari idavachchuna?

Translation

Can one cross the Godavari river by holding onto a dog's tail?

Meaning

This proverb highlights the folly of relying on weak or incompetent means to achieve a monumental or difficult task. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a vast river, choosing the wrong person or tool for a major responsibility will inevitably lead to failure.

Related Phrases

Like a fox coming to straighten a dog's tail.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an unqualified person tries to fix something they don't understand, or when someone uses a deceptive or useless method to solve a problem. It implies that the intervention is both unnecessary and likely motivated by trickery, as a fox cannot truly 'fix' a dog's nature.

The Godavari river flowed and the Goddelu stream also flowed.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a minor or insignificant person attempts to claim equal importance or status with someone of great stature by performing the same action. It highlights the vast difference in magnitude despite the similarity in the act itself.

Can you go hunting by catching a mad dog?

This proverb is used to illustrate that you cannot achieve a successful or noble outcome by relying on incompetent, unreliable, or unstable people. Just as a rabid or mad dog is unpredictable and cannot be trained for the discipline of hunting, an unfit person cannot be trusted to perform a specific task effectively.

Like trying to cross the Godavari river by holding onto a dog's tail.

This proverb is used to describe a foolish or futile attempt to achieve a massive goal using unreliable or insufficient means. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a large river, relying on weak or incompetent support for a difficult task will inevitably lead to failure.

Grazing on the island, swimming in the Godavari.

This expression refers to a situation where the reward is high but requires significant effort or risk to achieve. It originates from the practice of cattle swimming across the Godavari river to reach fertile island pastures (Lanka) for grazing. It is used to describe jobs or tasks where one must work extremely hard or face dangers to reap the benefits.

Like catching a fox's tail to reach heaven.

This expression is used to describe a person who experiences sudden, unexpected good luck or success through a minor or unlikely connection. It mocks the idea that a trivial action could lead to a monumental achievement, or describes someone who believes they have achieved greatness through sheer luck rather than merit.

Like trying to cross the Godavari river by holding a dog's tail

This expression describes a situation where someone relies on a weak, unreliable, or incapable person/resource to overcome a massive challenge. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a vast river like the Godavari, choosing an incompetent mentor or a flawed strategy will lead to failure.

When a skilled worker built a canopy, it supposedly collapsed just because a dog's tail touched it.

This is a sarcastic proverb used to mock someone's incompetence or lack of skill. It describes a situation where someone claims to be an expert, but the work they produce is so flimsy and poorly done that the slightest disturbance causes it to fail.

Could you swim over the Gôdâvari, by catching hold of a dog's tail? Reliance upon mean persons for great things. Trust not to a broken staff.

This proverb describes a situation where someone relies on a weak or unreliable person/method to achieve a massive task. Just as a dog is not a strong enough swimmer to pull a human across a vast river like the Godavari, choosing an incompetent mentor or a flawed strategy will lead to certain failure.

Even if the Godavari river flows, a dog can only lap up water!

This proverb describes a person's inherent nature or destiny that does not change despite being surrounded by abundance or great opportunities. It is used to suggest that some people, due to their petty mindset or poor luck, cannot enjoy or utilize the vast resources available to them and will always stick to their limited, meager ways.