మజ్జిగట్టాన్ని నమ్మి ఏట్లో దిగినట్లు

majjigattanni nammi etlo diginatlu

Translation

Like stepping into a river trusting a buttermilk curd (foam) as a solid rock.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who makes a dangerous or foolish decision based on a deceptive appearance or unreliable support. Just as foam on buttermilk looks solid but cannot support any weight, some situations or people may seem trustworthy but will fail when relied upon.

Related Phrases

Like trusting a water bubble and stepping into a river

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes a huge risk based on unreliable, fragile, or temporary support. Just as a water bubble bursts instantly and cannot support a person's weight in a river, relying on weak promises or unstable resources will lead to failure or danger.

Like trusting a leaky raft and entering a river.

This proverb describes a situation where someone relies on a faulty, weak, or unreliable person or thing to complete a difficult task. It highlights the foolishness of placing one's trust in something that is certain to fail, leading to inevitable disaster.

Coming for buttermilk but bargaining for the pot.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone approaches for a small favor or a specific purpose, but then starts interfering with or demanding things beyond what they originally came for. It highlights unnecessary meddling or shifting focus from the main reason for a visit to something trivial or inappropriate.

Like coming for buttermilk but hiding the pot.

This proverb describes someone who visits for a specific purpose or favor but tries to hide their true intention out of false modesty or hesitation. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the awkwardness of being indirect when the need is obvious.

Like selling a horse for boiled grains.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a foolish or lopsided deal, giving away something of high value (a horse) for something of very little value or a temporary craving (boiled grains). It signifies a lack of foresight or poor judgment in business and life decisions.

One should not trust a hand-rolled cigar (chutta) or a woman.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb expressing a historical bias. It suggests that a leaf-cigar is unreliable because it can extinguish or burn unevenly at any moment, and metaphorically claims that a woman's mind is unpredictable or untrustworthy. It is used to caution someone against relying on things or people perceived as fickle.

Going into a river upon a mud horse.

This proverb describes a situation where someone relies on something unreliable or deceptive, leading to inevitable failure or disaster. Just as a horse made of mud will dissolve and collapse when it enters water, trusting a weak or false promise will leave a person helpless in a crisis. It is used to warn against placing trust in superficial strengths or incompetent people.

Relying upon a man who pretends to have influence.

A fly to a fly. ( Hind. )

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to benefit from both sides or keep something for themselves while pretending to share. It signifies a person's dual nature of being stingy while acting as if they are fulfilling a duty or being generous.

Are the people coming to the marriage waiting in the back- yard ? i. e. "Why such haste ?"

This expression is used sarcastically to question someone who is in an extreme hurry or is acting as if an urgent, grand event is about to happen immediately. It is typically directed at people who are being overly impatient or making a fuss about preparations for a task that still has time.

Like forgetting and adding starter culture to buttermilk instead of milk.

This expression describes a redundant or useless action performed out of absent-mindedness. Just as 'chemiri' (starter/curd) is added to milk to turn it into curd, adding it to buttermilk (which is already a byproduct of curd) serves no purpose. It is used to mock someone who does something unnecessary or repeats a process that is already complete.