నెమలి కూసినట్లు పికిలి కూయబోయి పిత్తుక చచ్చిందట
nemali kusinatlu pikili kuyaboyi pittuka chachchindata
When the bulbul bird tried to cry like a peacock, it died straining itself.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to foolishly imitate a person who is far more capable or talented than themselves, often resulting in failure or self-harm. It warns against over-ambition and the lack of self-awareness regarding one's own limitations.
Related Phrases
తిన మరిగిన కోడి ఇల్లెక్కి కూసిందట
tina marigina kodi illekki kusindata
The chicken that got used to eating well ended up crowing from the rooftop.
This proverb is used to describe a person who becomes overly bold, arrogant, or demanding after being pampered or given too much freedom. It suggests that when someone is treated with excessive indulgence, they lose their sense of boundaries and start acting in a disrespectful or entitled manner.
అమృతానికి పోయి, కుక్కచావు చచ్చినట్లు.
amritaniki poyi, kukkachavu chachchinatlu.
Going for nectar but dying a dog's death.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone sets out with a grand or noble ambition but ends up facing a humiliating or disastrous failure. It highlights the irony of seeking immortality or great success only to meet an ignominious end.
వసంతం వచ్చింది కోకిల కూసింది.
vasantam vachchindi kokila kusindi.
Spring has arrived, and the cuckoo has sung.
This expression is used to describe a natural or harmonious sequence of events where everything happens as it should at the right time. It signifies the onset of a beautiful season or a positive change, often used metaphorically to indicate that good times or expected outcomes have finally manifested.
నెమలి కంటినీరు వేటగాడికి ముద్దా?
nemali kantiniru vetagadiki mudda?
Are the peacock's tears a kiss (delight) to the hunter?
This proverb is used to highlight the cruelty or indifference of an oppressor. It suggests that a predator or an exploiter is never moved by the pain or tears of their victim; instead, they see the victim's suffering only as a means to their own gain or success.
కాకిని కొడితే గద్ద చచ్చిందట
kakini kodite gadda chachchindata
They say a vulture died because a crow was hit.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an action is taken against a minor or irrelevant target, but the result is claimed to have affected a much larger or more significant entity. It highlights a false sense of achievement or a logical fallacy where two unrelated events are linked to exaggerate one's prowess.
అత్త చచ్చిన ఆరు మాసములకు కోడలి కంట నీరు వచ్చినదట
atta chachchina aru masamulaku kodali kanta niru vachchinadata
Six months after the death of the mother-in-law, tears came into the eyes of the daughter-in-law.
This proverb describes a situation where a person shows a delayed, insincere, or hypocritical emotional reaction. It is used to mock someone who pretends to care about a loss or an event long after it happened, or when their reaction is clearly performative rather than genuine.
తల్లి చస్తే నాలుక చచ్చినట్లు, తండ్రి చస్తే కళ్ళు పోయినట్లు
talli chaste naluka chachchinatlu, tandri chaste kallu poyinatlu
When the mother dies, it is like the tongue dying; when the father dies, it is like losing one's eyes.
This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a child's life. A mother is associated with food and taste (the tongue), meaning her absence leads to a lack of nourishment and care. A father is seen as the guide and protector (the eyes), meaning his absence leaves the family without direction or security in the world.
అత్త చచ్చిందని అత్త చీర కట్టుకుంటే, చచ్చినాక దయ్యమై పట్టిందట
atta chachchindani atta chira kattukunte, chachchinaka dayyamai pattindata
When the daughter-in-law wore her deceased mother-in-law's saree because she died, the mother-in-law returned as a ghost to haunt her.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to benefit from another person's misfortune or death, only to find that the benefit brings unforeseen troubles or burdens. It highlights that ill-gotten gains or taking advantage of a situation can lead to haunting consequences.
పిట్టపోరు పిట్టపోరు పిల్లి తీర్చినట్లు
pittaporu pittaporu pilli tirchinatlu
Like a cat settling a fight between two birds.
This proverb is used when two parties in a dispute seek help from a third party who ends up exploiting the situation for their own benefit, causing both original parties to lose everything. It is a cautionary saying about trusting an untrustworthy mediator.
కూసి కూసి గుంటనక్క గోదెల్లి చచ్చిందట
kusi kusi guntanakka godelli chachchindata
After howling and howling, the fox supposedly died of exhaustion.
This proverb is used to describe someone who talks excessively, brags, or complains pointlessly until they eventually wear themselves out or fail due to their own unnecessary actions. It highlights the futility of over-exertion in a useless endeavor.