కుందేలు కాలు నాకుకున్నట్లు

kundelu kalu nakukunnatlu

Translation

Like a rabbit licking its own leg

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

Like a rabbit entering a lonely or deserted house

This expression is used to describe someone who occupies or takes over a place that is empty, unprotected, or lacks proper supervision. It suggests that a person is taking undue advantage of a situation where there is no one to question their authority or presence.

Like pulling out the rafters while the house is on fire.

This expression is used to describe an extremely selfish or opportunistic person who tries to extract personal gain or petty benefits from a major disaster or someone else's crisis, instead of helping to solve the problem.

As if one is bowing down to their own feet.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely conceited, self-admiring, or overly proud of their own actions and intelligence. It highlights the irony of self-veneration or thinking too highly of oneself to the point of absurdity.

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.

Like hitting one's own chest with a wooden mallet (gutam) from the same nest.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is harmed or outwitted by their own people, tools, or resources. It refers to a self-inflicted injury or a betrayal by someone very close, similar to the English expression 'to be hoisted by one's own petard'.

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.

Like a rabbit grazing on a tiger's whiskers

This expression describes a situation where an extremely weak or timid person attempts to take advantage of or mock someone who is immensely powerful and dangerous. It is often used to highlight an act of foolish overconfidence or an impossible, paradoxical scenario that defies logic.

Like hitting one's own chest with a temple bell's mallet.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's actions, intended to solve a problem or perform a task, end up causing them unexpected pain, distress, or self-inflicted harm. It highlights a self-defeating or counterproductive action.

Like cutting the very branch you are holding onto

This expression is used to describe a self-destructive action where a person undermines or destroys their own source of support, security, or livelihood. It refers to someone who, out of foolishness or short-sightedness, harms the person or entity they rely on most.

A rabbit in the kitchen

This expression describes someone who never leaves their home or is extremely timid and stays within a confined, safe environment. It is used to mock someone's lack of worldly exposure or their tendency to always stay indoors, much like a pet rabbit that stays around the kitchen for food.