నెమలిని చూచి కాకి పింఛం కట్టుకున్నట్లు

nemalini chuchi kaki pinchham kattukunnatlu

Translation

Like a crow wearing a peacock's feather after seeing a peacock.

Meaning

This proverb describes someone who tries to imitate others who are more naturally talented, beautiful, or superior, often appearing foolish in the process. It is used when a person tries to copy someone's external appearance or status without having the actual underlying qualities or character.

Related Phrases

Like a fox branding itself with scars after seeing a tiger's stripes.

This proverb is used to describe someone who foolishly tries to imitate others who are naturally superior or more capable, often causing harm to themselves in the process. It highlights the vanity of blind imitation without having the inherent strength or qualities of the person being mimicked.

Upon seeing a woman or wealth, even Lord Brahma is afflicted by the rot.

This proverb highlights the power of temptation. It suggests that the lure of beauty (lust) and money (greed) is so strong that it can compromise the integrity or stability of even the most enlightened or divine beings like Brahma. It is used to caution that everyone is susceptible to these worldly distractions.

Seeing the husband is a waste, seeing the lover is a festival.

This is a bold, satirical proverb used to describe a person who neglects their duties or legitimate relationships (like a husband) in favor of forbidden or exciting external attractions (like a lover). It is used to mock people who find no value in the things they already possess but are overjoyed by things that are fleeting or improper.

One should sing the song after seeing the mortar.

This proverb emphasizes situational awareness and appropriateness. It suggests that one's actions, words, or efforts should be tailored to the specific circumstances or the tools at hand, similar to the English expression 'To suit the action to the word.'

Look at the mother before you take the daughter; see how much milk the buffalo gives before you buy her.

This proverb suggests that the character and qualities of a person are often inherited or influenced by their upbringing and ancestry. It is commonly used in the context of marriage or forming long-term alliances, implying that observing the parents (background) provides a reliable preview of the individual's nature.

The bullock began to limp when it saw the barber. Who would take out a thorn, &c. Malingering.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone pretends to have a problem or disability to avoid work or a specific task. Historically, barbers were also used for minor veterinary tasks like branding or treating cattle; hence, the ox pretends to be lame to escape the discomfort of the treatment or the labor expected afterward.

A crow today is better than a peacock tomorrow.

This proverb emphasizes the value of immediate certainty over future possibilities. It is similar to the English idiom 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,' suggesting it is better to have something small but guaranteed right now than the hope of something better that might never arrive.

Like a fox dancing after watching a peacock.

This expression is used to describe a person who tries to imitate someone else's natural talent or success without having the necessary skill or capability. Just as a fox can never match the grace of a peacock's dance, certain people make themselves look foolish by blindly copying others.

Like a fox branding itself with stripes after seeing a tiger.

This proverb is used to describe someone who foolishly tries to imitate others who are naturally superior or more capable, often causing harm to themselves in the process. It highlights the vanity and folly of blind imitation without having the inherent strength or status of the person being mimicked.

Do not go to a fish pond noticed by a woman, nor to a pigeon pea threshing floor noticed by a man.

This traditional proverb suggests that certain tasks or resources are best managed by those who have a keen eye for them. A woman is believed to be very efficient at spotting and gathering small resources like fish from a pond, leaving nothing behind. Similarly, a man is believed to be thorough in harvesting or guarding a threshing floor. It is used to describe situations where a resource has been so thoroughly picked over or managed by an expert that nothing remains for others.