పగలే చుక్కలు కనిపించనప్పుడు, మారుగొట్టిలు కనిపిస్తాయా?

pagale chukkalu kanipinchanappudu, marugottilu kanipistaya?

Translation

When stars are not visible during the day, will a small mallet be visible?

Meaning

This proverb is used to criticize someone who expects to see or understand complex/obscure things when they have already failed to notice or handle the obvious ones. It highlights the absurdity of looking for something minor or hidden when the major or evident things are missed.

Related Phrases

A mountain looks small when seen through a telescope and large when seen through a magnifying glass (it is the perspective that changed, not the mountain).

This expression emphasizes that reality remains constant, but our perception of it changes based on our mindset or the tools we use to judge a situation. It is used to advise someone that their subjective view or prejudice doesn't change the objective truth of a matter.

Men's shine/polish is visible only on their faces.

This expression is used to suggest that men often display their status, happiness, or well-being externally on their faces, or it can imply that their charm or effort is superficial and limited to their outward appearance.

The swaying of the woman in rags is more than the charm of the woman in colorful clothes.

This proverb is used to mock people who have little to offer or possess very little, yet display excessive pride, vanity, or arrogance. It highlights the irony of someone with no status or wealth acting more pretentious than those who actually possess them.

Like donating vegetables that cows won't eat to the priests.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone 'generously' gives away something that is useless or unwanted by themselves. It highlights hypocritical charity or disposing of junk under the guise of being helpful or religious.

For a woman who is crying, stories do not flow.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is so overwhelmed by their own troubles, grief, or problems that they cannot focus on or engage in creative, productive, or entertaining activities. It suggests that a disturbed mind cannot offer inspiration or joy.

The cure that works is the medicine, and the one who heals is the doctor.

This proverb emphasizes results over reputation. It means that any remedy that successfully heals a disease is considered a true medicine, and anyone who successfully cures a patient is a true doctor, regardless of their formal titles or the simplicity of the treatment.

In the full light of day, he makes the stars appear. Professing to do wonders. Applied to a great cheat.

This expression is used to describe someone who can create immense trouble, confusion, or overwhelming difficulty for others. It signifies putting someone in a situation so stressful or exhausting that they lose their bearings, similar to the English idiom 'to see stars'.

Does a coward who runs away care for women?

This proverb is used to mock those who lack courage or honor. It implies that a person who flees from their responsibilities or a battlefield out of fear is too preoccupied with their own safety to care about dignity, relationships, or the well-being of their loved ones.

That which cures is the treatment; that which heals is the medicine.

This proverb emphasizes that results are more important than methods. It means that the effectiveness of a remedy is what defines its value. No matter how expensive or elaborate a treatment is, it is only considered successful if it actually solves the problem.

Like licking the ladle when you're hungry.

This expression describes a situation where someone offers a trivial, ineffective, or negligible solution to a major problem. Just as licking a ladle cannot satisfy the hunger of someone fasting, minor gestures cannot solve significant needs or crises.