మొండిచేతితో మొత్తుకున్నట్లు
mondichetito mottukunnatlu
Like hitting oneself with a hand that has no fingers.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's efforts or protests are completely ineffective and go unnoticed. Just as a hand without fingers cannot produce a loud sound or physical impact when striking a surface, this phrase refers to someone who is so powerless or helpless that their complaints or struggles do not result in any change or attention.
Related Phrases
మొండిచేతితో మూర వేసినట్లు
mondichetito mura vesinatlu
Like measuring a cubit with a stump of a hand.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to do something impossible or lacks the necessary tools/means to complete a task. It highlights the futility or inaccuracy of an action when the essential component required for success is missing.
మొండిచేతితోటి మొత్తుకొన్నట్టు
mondichetitoti mottukonnattu
Like beating one's mouth (lamentation) with a maimed hand. Doing any thing clumsily.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply frustrated or grieving but is unable to effectively express their pain or do anything about it. It signifies a state of utter helplessness where even one's attempts to lament are ineffective or incomplete due to a lack of resources or capability.
నా చెయ్యి నొస్తున్నది, నీ చేత్తో మొత్తుకో.
na cheyyi nostunnadi, ni chetto mottuko.
My hand is aching, beat with your hand upon your mouth. Mourning by proxy.
This is a sarcastic or witty expression used when someone is asked to perform a task for someone else that is either self-inflicted or redundant. It implies that the speaker is tired of helping and that the other person should take responsibility for their own burden or actions.
మొండిచేతివానికి నువ్వులు తిననేర్పినట్లు
mondichetivaniki nuvvulu tinanerpinatlu
Like teaching a person with no fingers how to eat sesame seeds.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being taught or assigned a task that is impossible for them to perform due to their inherent limitations or lack of tools. Since sesame seeds are tiny and difficult to pick up even with fingers, teaching someone without fingers to eat them represents a futile or cruel endeavor.
మొదటికే మోసం, మొండిచెయ్యి చూపించడం
modatike mosam, mondicheyyi chupinchadam
Loss at the very beginning and showing an empty hand.
This expression is used when a plan fails right at the start, leading to a total loss. 'Mondi cheyyi chupinchadam' specifically means to cheat, refuse to help, or leave someone empty-handed after promising something.
ఇష్టంలేని మొగుణ్ణి జూసి, కొనవేళ్ళతో మొత్తుకున్నట్లు
ishtamleni mogunni jusi, konavellato mottukunnatlu
Like a woman who dislikes her husband and strikes her own head with her fingertips when she sees him.
This proverb describes a situation where someone performs an action half-heartedly or with extreme reluctance just for the sake of formality. In the analogy, the woman dislikes her husband so much that she won't even put effort into the customary act of expressing grief or frustration, doing it as lightly as possible.
కుడిచేతితో ఇచ్చి ఎడమచేత్తో తీసుకోవడం
kudichetito ichchi edamachetto tisukovadam
Giving with the right hand and taking back with the left hand.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers a benefit, gift, or salary increase, but simultaneously takes it away or cancels its value through another action, tax, or hidden condition. It signifies a deceptive or meaningless gesture of generosity.
ఎత్తుకున్న బిడ్డ మొత్తుకున్నా ఆగదు
ettukunna bidda mottukunna agadu
A child in arms won't stop crying even if you hit it.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is forced to endure a burden or responsibility they have voluntarily taken up. Once you have committed to helping someone or taking on a task (lifting the child), you must bear the consequences and difficulties (the crying/trouble) that come with it until the end.
రోలు పోయి మద్దెలతో మొర పెట్టుకున్నట్లు.
rolu poyi maddelato mora pettukunnatlu.
Like a mortar going to a drum to complain about its woes.
This proverb is used when someone seeks help from a person who is in an even worse situation or who suffers more than themselves. In a traditional setting, a mortar (rolu) is hit with a pestle occasionally, but a drum (maddela) is beaten on both sides constantly. It signifies the irony of complaining to someone who has greater troubles.
ఉంగరాల చేతితో మొట్టితే, నెప్పి ఉండదు
ungarala chetito mottite, neppi undadu
A rap with ringed fingers will cause no pain. A man who wears rings is generally well'off, and therefore pays hand- some damages for injuries inflicted.
This expression is used to describe a situation where receiving a rebuke, correction, or punishment from a wealthy, powerful, or respected person is not seen as an insult or a pain, but rather as a blessing or a beneficial guidance. It implies that people are willing to tolerate harshness if it comes from someone of high status or someone they admire.