మునిని చేయబోతే పిల్లి అయినట్లు
munini cheyabote pilli ayinatlu
When trying to make a sage, it turned into a cat
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to do something great or noble, but due to lack of skill or bad luck, the end result is mediocre or a failure. It is similar to the English expression 'The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.' Note: The user provided 'Malli' (Jasmine) or 'Munni', but the standard proverb is 'Muni' (Sage/Ascetic).
Related Phrases
మానుపిల్లి అయినా, మట్టి పిల్లి అయినా, ఎలుకను పట్టినదే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina, matti pilli ayina, elukanu pattinade pilli
A cat which kills a rat is a cat, whether it be of wood or mud. If the work be well done, never mind the instrument.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the value of someone or something should be judged by their ability to perform their intended task or achieve a goal, rather than their outward characteristics or status.
ఎల్లిని మల్లిచేయు మల్లిని ఎల్లిచేయు
ellini mallicheyu mallini ellicheyu
Turning Elli into Malli and Malli into Elli
This expression describes the act of causing total confusion or manipulating facts to make things unrecognizable. It is used when someone twists the truth, swaps identities, or complicates a simple situation to the point where the original context is lost. Often used to describe cunning or deceptive behavior.
పెళ్ళికి వెళ్తూ పిల్లిని చంకన పెట్టుకుని వెళ్ళినట్లు
pelliki veltu pillini chankana pettukuni vellinatlu
Like carrying a cat under the arm while going to a wedding.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone brings along an unnecessary burden or a nuisance that causes trouble in an otherwise happy or formal setting. It refers to engaging in a superstitious or trivial task that distracts from the primary purpose of an event.
మునిని చేయబోతే పిల్లి అయినట్టు
munini cheyabote pilli ayinattu
Like trying to make a sage but ending up with a cat instead.
This proverb describes a situation where one attempts to create or achieve something noble, grand, or highly skillful, but due to lack of skill or an unfortunate turn of events, the end result turns out to be something trivial, inferior, or completely different. It is used to mock failed ambitious attempts.
అయ్యవారిని చేయబోతే కోతి అయినట్లు
ayyavarini cheyabote koti ayinatlu
Trying to make an idol of a teacher (or god), but it turned into a monkey.
This expression is used when a well-intentioned task or project goes completely wrong due to incompetence or unexpected errors, resulting in something unintended and often ridiculous. It describes a situation where an attempt to create something noble or superior ends up as a mess.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
Even a mother cannot do as much good as an onion does.
This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the body that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the consumption of onions for well-being.
అయ్యవారిని చెయ్యబోతే కోతి అయినట్లు
ayyavarini cheyyabote koti ayinatlu
His attempt to make [an image of] Ganêśa ended in [the moulding of] a monkey. Mud images of Ganêśa are made and worshipped on the 4th day of the light fortnight in the month Bhâdrapada (August—September). A ridiculous failure.
This proverb describes a situation where one's well-intentioned efforts or ambitious plans go wrong, resulting in a ridiculous or unintended outcome. It is used when someone tries to improve something or create something great but ends up making it worse or spoiling it completely due to lack of skill or poor execution.
ఒకటి చేయబోతే మరొకటి అయినట్లు
okati cheyabote marokati ayinatlu
Doing one thing and it becoming another
This expression is used to describe a situation where one's actions lead to an unexpected or unintended outcome, often despite good intentions. It is similar to the English phrase 'Backfiring' or 'Best-laid plans gone awry.' It describes a result that is completely different from what was originally planned.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా మట్టిపిల్లి అయినా ఎలుకను పట్టిందే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina mattipilli ayina elukanu pattinde pilli
Whether it is a wooden cat or a clay cat, the one that catches the mouse is the real cat.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the effectiveness or utility of a person or a tool is more important than its form, cost, or status. It is used to convey that the end result is what truly matters in evaluating a solution.
సన్నపని చేయబోతే సున్నం సున్నం అయిందట.
sannapani cheyabote sunnam sunnam ayindata.
When trying to do delicate work, everything turned into lime powder.
This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to perform a very fine or meticulous task backfires, resulting in total destruction or waste of resources. It is used when someone's over-ambition or lack of skill in handling delicate matters leads to a complete mess instead of the intended perfection.