నూతిని పొడిచి సెలగ అనినట్లు
nutini podichi selaga aninatlu
Like digging a well and calling it a small hole (or spring).
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a massive, difficult task but downplays its significance or describes it as something trivial. It can also refer to cases where an immense effort results in something that is unfairly minimized or misunderstood in scale.
Related Phrases
మన్ను తిని మంచినీళ్లు తాగినట్లు
mannu tini manchinillu taginatlu
Like drinking water after eating mud.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a completely useless or harmful action and then tries to follow it up with something normal or helpful to cover it up. It signifies a futile attempt to rectify a foolish mistake or refers to an action that yields no benefit despite the effort.
ఎద్దు రొమ్ములో ముల్లుకర్ర పొడిచినట్లు
eddu rommulo mullukarra podichinatlu
Like piercing an ox's chest with a thorn-stick.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply hurt or offended by a direct, blunt, and painful remark or action. Just as a sharp prod causes immediate and intense pain to an ox, this phrase refers to words or deeds that strike a person at their most vulnerable or sensitive spot, causing significant emotional distress.
రాత పొడిచినా చావులేదు
rata podichina chavuledu
Death does not come even if the writing (fate) is pierced.
This expression is used to describe someone who is incredibly lucky or has survived a life-threatening situation against all odds. It implies that unless it is one's destined time to die, no amount of danger or misfortune can end their life.
గుడిపాము కరిచినట్లు, గంగిగోవు పొడిచినట్లు
gudipamu karichinatlu, gangigovu podichinatlu
Like a temple snake biting or a sacred cow goring.
This expression refers to being harmed by someone or something that is generally perceived as harmless, saintly, or trustworthy. It describes an unexpected betrayal or injury from a source where one only expected goodness or safety.
నూటికి పొడిచి శెభాష్ అనేవాడు
nutiki podichi shebhash anevadu
He kills a hundred and cries " Selaga !"
This expression refers to a person who is extremely clever, mischievous, or deceitful—someone who can commit a hundred wrongs and still present themselves as a hero or get away with it by praising their own cunning. It is often used to describe a smooth talker or a trickster who creates trouble but remains unscathed.
Selaga is a term used in counting or measuring, signifying the comple- tion of a lot of one hundred. Said of a great hero.
నీ మొగాన పొద్దు పొడిచినట్లు నిక్కుతావు
ni mogana poddu podichinatlu nikkutavu
You are strutting as if the sun rose exclusively on your face.
This expression is used to mock someone who is acting overly proud, arrogant, or self-important without any actual justification. It suggests the person thinks they are the center of the universe or have achieved something extraordinary when they haven't.
తాను పెంచిన పొట్టేలే తన్నినట్లు.
tanu penchina pottele tanninatlu.
Like the ram one raised personally coming back to butt/kick them.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is betrayed or harmed by a person they have nurtured, helped, or protected. It is similar to the English expression 'biting the hand that feeds you.' It highlights the irony and pain of facing ingratitude from those closest to us.
పందిని పొడిచినవాడే బంటు
pandini podichinavade bantu
The one who stabs the pig is the real soldier.
This expression means that true merit or bravery is determined by one's actions and results in the field, rather than by empty boasts or titles. In the past, wild boar hunting was a dangerous task; therefore, only the person who actually completed the kill was considered a true warrior. It is used to suggest that success belongs to the person who performs the difficult task at hand.
చలిపందిరి కుండలకు తూట్లు పొడిచినట్లు
chalipandiri kundalaku tutlu podichinatlu
Like poking holes in the pots of a free water-shed.
This expression describes acts of senseless mischief or malice that harm the public good without any benefit to the perpetrator. A 'Chali-pandiri' is a traditional shed where free drinking water is offered to travelers; destroying these pots represents an especially mean-spirited act of sabotage against a selfless service.
నేల విడిచి సాము చేసినట్లు
nela vidichi samu chesinatlu
Like practicing martial arts while leaving the ground.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone ignores the basic fundamentals or ground realities while attempting something ambitious. It highlights the futility or danger of acting without a solid foundation or ignoring the practical aspects of a task.