మిడతంభట్టు జోస్యం

midatambhattu josyam

Translation

The astrology of Midatambhattu

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a lucky coincidence or an accidental success that is mistaken for genuine skill or foresight. It originates from a folk story about a man named Midatambhattu who, while searching for a lost item, happened to catch a grasshopper (midata) and exclaimed, 'I caught you, grasshopper!'. Coincidentally, the thief's name was also Midata, leading people to believe he had divine astrological powers. It is used when someone gets something right by pure chance (Kakataliyam).

Related Phrases

The fate of a thief caught in the hole (of a wall).

This expression describes a situation where someone is caught red-handed or trapped in a hopeless, compromising position with no possibility of escape or denial. It is used when a person's wrongdoing is exposed so clearly that they are left completely helpless and at the mercy of others.

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.

If caught, he is a thief; if not caught, he is a lord.

This proverb highlights the irony of social status based on being caught. It is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. As long as their crimes are hidden, they are respected as a gentleman or 'Dora' (lord), but the moment they are caught, they are labeled a thief.

A thief is content with what he gets.

This expression suggests that for someone who is gaining something through illicit means or luck rather than hard work, even a small amount is a bonus. It is used to describe situations where people should be satisfied with whatever they can get when they have no right to it in the first place.

Does finding a horseshoe mean you've found a horse?

This expression is used to criticize someone who makes premature assumptions or feels overconfident after achieving a very small, insignificant part of a larger task. It highlights the folly of celebrating a minor detail when the main component is still missing.

Like a monkey finding a coconut

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gains possession of something valuable or complex but has no idea how to use, appreciate, or manage it. Just as a monkey cannot crack open a hard coconut to eat the fruit inside, an incompetent or unqualified person cannot benefit from a resource they have acquired.

When he went to steal, he only got an earthen dish. Disappointment in evil designs.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to commit a crime or a sneaky act with high expectations but ends up with something completely worthless or faces a disappointing outcome. It highlights the irony of a failed or unprofitable venture.

When one went to steal, they found a broken piece of a clay pot.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person sets out with a negative intention or a risky plan to gain something, but ends up with something completely useless or worse than what they started with. It highlights the irony of failing miserably even in a dishonest attempt.

Only a thief knows the secrets of another thief

This proverb implies that people of the same kind, especially those involved in deceptive or specific activities, understand each other's tactics and mindsets better than outsiders. It is used to suggest that it takes one to know one.

The prophecy of Miḍatambhoṭlu. A man is said to have been given that name by a king for guessing that a grasshopper ( Miḍata ) was in the king's hand when the diviners were all at a loss. Making one's fortune by a lucky chance.

This expression refers to accidental success or a lucky guess that happens to come true by sheer coincidence. It is based on a folktale of a man named Midatambhotlu who, despite having no knowledge of astrology, makes random predictions that luckily turn out to be correct. It is used to describe situations where someone gets credit for a result that happened by chance rather than skill or genuine foresight.