నక్కతోక పట్టుకొని నాకలోక మెక్కినట్లు.

nakkatoka pattukoni nakaloka mekkinatlu.

Translation

Like catching a fox's tail to reach heaven.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who experiences sudden, unexpected good luck or success through a minor or unlikely connection. It mocks the idea that a trivial action could lead to a monumental achievement, or describes someone who believes they have achieved greatness through sheer luck rather than merit.

Related Phrases

Like a fox with its tail cut off

This expression is used to describe a person who has lost their influence, status, or power and is now moving about with shame or embarrassment. It often refers to someone who was once cunning or arrogant but has been humbled by a defeat or failure, making them look miserable or pathetic.

Like a fox coming to straighten a dog's tail.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an unqualified person tries to fix something they don't understand, or when someone uses a deceptive or useless method to solve a problem. It implies that the intervention is both unnecessary and likely motivated by trickery, as a fox cannot truly 'fix' a dog's nature.

Can one cross the Godavari river by holding onto a dog's tail?

This proverb highlights the folly of relying on weak or incompetent means to achieve a monumental or difficult task. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a vast river, choosing the wrong person or tool for a major responsibility will inevitably lead to failure.

When someone pulls the leg, hanging onto the eaves of the roof.

This proverb describes a person who is extremely stubborn or desperate to stay in a position or relationship even when they are being forcefully removed or rejected. It signifies a tenacious, often annoying, refusal to let go despite clear opposition.

While the whole village was drying grain, someone was drying a fox's tail.

This proverb describes a person who does something useless, eccentric, or irrelevant while everyone else is engaged in productive or essential work. It is used to mock people who lack a sense of priority or follow trends in a foolish and meaningless way.

Like trying to climb up by holding onto a hair.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is making a desperate or futile effort to save themselves or achieve something using a very weak and unreliable support. It highlights the impossibility and precariousness of an action.

Like holding onto a thorny grey nicker bush

This expression is used to describe getting stuck in a situation where you cannot move forward, yet letting go or moving back is equally painful or difficult. It represents a 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' scenario where any action taken results in hurt or complication.

After the jackal had departed, the hole lamented and wept. Great sorrow in a household.

This proverb describes a situation where someone takes action or seeks a solution after the opportunity has passed or the damage is already done. It is used to mock futile, late efforts that serve no purpose, similar to the English expression 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.

Like trying to cross the Godavari river by holding a dog's tail

This expression describes a situation where someone relies on a weak, unreliable, or incapable person/resource to overcome a massive challenge. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a vast river like the Godavari, choosing an incompetent mentor or a flawed strategy will lead to failure.

Could you swim over the Gôdâvari, by catching hold of a dog's tail? Reliance upon mean persons for great things. Trust not to a broken staff.

This proverb describes a situation where someone relies on a weak or unreliable person/method to achieve a massive task. Just as a dog is not a strong enough swimmer to pull a human across a vast river like the Godavari, choosing an incompetent mentor or a flawed strategy will lead to certain failure.