నక్క వాత మన్ను కొట్టినట్టు
nakka vata mannu kottinattu
Like hitting soil on a fox's mouth.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's plans or expectations are completely ruined or blocked at the very last moment, often resulting in great disappointment. It is similar to the English idiom 'to take the bread out of someone's mouth'.
Related Phrases
పులిని చూచి నక్క వాతలు పెట్టుకున్నట్లు
pulini chuchi nakka vatalu pettukunnatlu
Like a fox branding itself with stripes after seeing a tiger
This proverb describes a situation where someone foolishly tries to imitate others who are naturally superior or more capable, often causing self-harm or ridicule in the process. It is used to mock people who blindly copy others without having the same inherent talent or status.
కాలిన మన్నూ కాలని మన్నూ అంటవు
kalina mannu kalani mannu antavu
Burnt earth will not adhere to unburnt. People in different positions in life cannot be very intimate.
This expression is used to describe two people or entities that are fundamentally incompatible or cannot reconcile their differences. Just as burnt clay/soil loses its binding property and cannot merge with raw, unburnt soil, people with opposing natures or those who have had a major falling out cannot be easily brought back together.
ఏనుగు మదిస్తే నెత్తిన మన్ను వేసుకుంటుంది
enugu madiste nettina mannu vesukuntundi
When the elephant is in rut, he throws earth on his head. Pride goes before and shame follows after.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person, blinded by arrogance, power, or anger, acts in a way that is ultimately self-destructive. Just as a rogue elephant ruins its own majesty by covering itself in dirt, a person's lack of self-control or ego leads to their own downfall or loss of reputation.
గోరీకాడి నక్కవత్తు
gorikadi nakkavattu
Like a jackal at a tomb. A tantalizing position, as he cannot get into it. Like a cat round hot milk.
This expression is used to describe a person who waits patiently and cunningly for someone's downfall or demise to gain a personal advantage. It refers to someone with predatory instincts who lingers around a situation, waiting for the right moment to exploit a loss or a tragedy for their own benefit.
తోడేలును గొర్రెల కాపలాకు పెట్టినట్లు
todelunu gorrela kapalaku pettinatlu
Like putting a wolf to guard the sheep.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone puts a person in charge of something they are likely to exploit or destroy. It highlights the foolishness of trusting a known predator or a person with conflicting interests with the safety of their potential victims.
నక్క నోట్లో మన్ను కొట్టినట్టు
nakka notlo mannu kottinattu
He threw mud into the mouth of the jackal. i. e. he cheated him. Said of the surprising recovery of a sick man who had been given up, and whose body it was expected might provide food for the jackals.
This expression is used when someone unexpectedly ruins another person's opportunity or takes away something they were about to enjoy. It describes a situation where a person's expectations or efforts are suddenly thwarted by someone else's interference, leaving them disappointed.
మనుం గొట్టగా మాసం చిక్కినాడు.
manum gottaga masam chikkinadu.
When the canal was struck (to catch fish), a thief was caught.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone happens to get caught for their previous misdeeds or hidden secrets while an unrelated activity or investigation is taking place. It is similar to the idea of a 'windfall' discovery but in a negative or corrective context.
నక్కను చావగొట్టి లొట్టిని తగిలించినట్టు
nakkanu chavagotti lottini tagilinchinattu
Like beating a fox to death and hanging a toddy pot around its neck.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is subjected to excessive or cruel treatment followed by a mockery or a useless gesture. It refers to over-punishing someone beyond necessity and then adding insult to injury, or performing an action that serves no constructive purpose after causing harm.
కుక్కను కొట్ట బచ్చెన కొయ్య కావలెనా?
kukkanu kotta bachchena koyya kavalena?
Do you need a decorated lacquer stick to hit a dog?
This proverb is used to suggest that one does not need elaborate, expensive, or sophisticated tools for a simple or menial task. It highlights that ordinary means are sufficient for ordinary ends, and using something precious for a trivial purpose is unnecessary.
వంతుకు మా వక్కినాడు పాలికి మా బక్కవాడు
vantuku ma vakkinadu paliki ma bakkavadu
Our thin man for the turn, our weak man for the share.
This proverb describes a person who is eager to claim their share or take their turn when benefits are distributed, but pretends to be weak, sickly, or incapable when it is time to do work or fulfill responsibilities. It is used to mock lazy or opportunistic individuals.