నూరుమంది మొండిచేతలవాళ్ళు పోగై గొడ్డుగేదె పాలు పితికినట్లు

nurumandi mondichetalavallu pogai goddugede palu pitikinatlu

Translation

Like a hundred people with stumped hands gathering to milk a barren buffalo.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where many incompetent or unqualified people come together to perform an impossible task. It signifies a collective effort that is doomed to fail because neither the workers have the capability nor the subject has the potential to yield results. It is used to mock futile attempts or poorly managed group activities.

Related Phrases

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.

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.

A hundred fingerless people together could not milk a barren buffalo. A thing in every way impossible.

This proverb describes a situation where a large group of incompetent or unskilled people gather to perform a task that is fundamentally impossible or futile. It is used to mock the collective failure of many people attempting something useless or being unable to solve a problem because they lack the necessary tools or ability.

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.

A barren buffalo is the emblem of Mahâ Lakshmî, in a village where there are no cows.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, in the absence of something truly superior or qualified, even a mediocre or inferior alternative is highly valued. It is similar to the English proverb 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'

Mahâ Lakshmî is the goddess of fortune. The one-eyed is a king in the land of the blind.

When the owner said his she-buffalo was barren, the neigh- bour said it was milch. Applied to a spirit of contradiction.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an outsider or neighbor contradicts the owner's first-hand knowledge with baseless or overly optimistic claims. It highlights the tendency of people to comment or give unsolicited advice on matters they don't fully understand, often being more stubborn about the facts than the person directly involved in the situation.

In a village where there are no cows, a barren buffalo is considered Goddess Lakshmi.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, in the absence of something truly high-quality or superior, even something mediocre or inferior is highly valued. It is similar to the English idiom 'In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'

Like a single thread of cotton for a hundred gold coins.

This expression is used to describe a token contribution or a small gesture made towards a large cause or expense. It signifies that even a tiny contribution (the thread) counts as a symbolic participation or 'blessing' when a massive task or expense (the hundred gold coins) is being undertaken. It is often used when one gives a small gift during a grand event to show their presence and goodwill.

When an outsider says it's a pregnant buffalo, the owner says it's a barren buffalo.

This proverb describes a situation where an owner or an insider devalues their own possessions or family members while an outsider recognizes their true worth. It is used to highlight a lack of appreciation for what one already has, or a tendency to be overly critical of one's own people or assets.

Like a hundred blind people gathering together and falling into a dilapidated well.

This proverb describes a situation where a group of people lacking knowledge, vision, or guidance follow each other blindly, ultimately leading to a collective disaster. It is used to caution against following the crowd when no one in the group truly understands the situation or knows the right path.