కుందేలు దొరికేవేళకు, కుక్కకు బయటికి వచ్చిందట.
kundelu dorikevelaku, kukkaku bayatiki vachchindata.
By the time the rabbit was about to be caught, the dog had to go outside (to relieve itself).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone fails at the crucial moment due to a silly or untimely distraction. It highlights how poor timing or lack of focus at the final step can ruin a lot of hard work.
Related Phrases
కుక్క గోవు కాదు, కుందేలు పులి కాదు.
kukka govu kadu, kundelu puli kadu.
A dog is not a cow, and a rabbit is not a tiger.
This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have their own inherent nature and limitations. One cannot change their fundamental character or identity to become something superior or entirely different just by imitation or wishful thinking.
అమృతానికి పోయి, కుక్కచావు చచ్చినట్లు.
amritaniki poyi, kukkachavu chachchinatlu.
Going for nectar but dying a dog's death.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone sets out with a grand or noble ambition but ends up facing a humiliating or disastrous failure. It highlights the irony of seeking immortality or great success only to meet an ignominious end.
దొంగకు దొరికిందే చాలు.
dongaku dorikinde chalu.
Whatever a thief manages to get is enough.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is in a position of loss or risk, and they should be content with whatever they can recover or save. It also implies that for a person with bad intentions, even a small gain is a victory. It is often used to suggest that one should settle for whatever is available rather than risking everything for more.
కుక్కల నక్కల పెళ్ళికి కుందేలు మంత్రాలు చదివిందట
kukkala nakkala pelliki kundelu mantralu chadivindata
For the wedding of dogs and foxes, the rabbit recited the mantras.
This proverb is used to describe a chaotic or absurd situation where unqualified or irrelevant people are involved in a task that makes no sense to begin with. It highlights the ridiculousness of a situation where everything is disorganized and the participants are mismatched.
ఏటికి ఎన్ని నీళ్ళు వచ్చినా, కుక్కకు గతుకునీళ్ళే
etiki enni nillu vachchina, kukkaku gatukunille
No matter how much water flows in the river, a dog can only lap it up.
This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or limited capacity. It suggests that even if someone is surrounded by immense wealth or opportunities, they will only benefit or behave according to their character, destiny, or petty habits. It highlights that abundance does not change a person's basic traits or their way of life.
కుక్క సింహం కాదు, కుందేలు తోడేలు కాదు
kukka simham kadu, kundelu todelu kadu
A dog is not a lion, and a rabbit is not a wolf.
This proverb is used to emphasize that every living being or individual has their own inherent nature and limitations. One cannot change their fundamental character or identity to become something superior or more aggressive, just as a domestic dog cannot possess the majesty of a lion, nor can a timid rabbit become a predatory wolf.
కలిసివచ్చే కాలానికి కుందేలు వంట ఇంటికి వస్తుంది.
kalisivachche kalaniki kundelu vanta intiki vastundi.
When time is favorable, the rabbit itself comes to the kitchen.
This proverb is used to describe a stroke of extreme good luck or a period of time when everything goes your way without much effort. It suggests that when fortune favors you, even difficult-to-attain things (like a fast rabbit) will present themselves easily to you (entering the kitchen).
కుక్క గోవు కాదు, కుందేలు పులి కాదు
kukka govu kadu, kundelu puli kadu
A dog is not a cow, and a rabbit is not a tiger
This expression means that every being or object has its own inherent nature and limitations. It is used to suggest that one cannot change their fundamental character or capabilities to become something vastly different, emphasizing that appearances or minor similarities do not change one's true essence.
కోడలు వచ్చిన వేళ, కోడెలు వచ్చిన వేళ
kodalu vachchina vela, kodelu vachchina vela
The time the daughter-in-law arrived, the time the young bulls arrived.
This proverb is used to comment on coincidences, specifically when a new arrival in a family (like a daughter-in-law) is blamed or credited for significant events (like the birth of livestock or changes in fortune) that happen shortly after. It highlights how people often link luck or misfortune to a person's entry into the household.
కుందేలు కాలు నాకుకున్నట్లు
kundelu kalu nakukunnatlu
Like a rabbit licking its own leg
This expression is used to describe a person who is overly self-satisfied or takes immense pride in their own small achievements, often ignoring the bigger picture or failing to realize that their actions are self-serving and of little consequence to others.