పక్షి మీద గురి పెట్టి మృగమును వేసినట్లు
pakshi mida guri petti mrigamunu vesinatlu
He aimed at the bird and shot the deer. He fired at the pigeon and he killed the crow.
This expression describes a situation where one's efforts lead to an unexpected or unintended outcome that is much larger or more significant than the original goal. It is used when a small attempt results in a major achievement or, conversely, when someone misses their target but accidentally succeeds at something else entirely.
Related Phrases
మనిషిమీద పీడ మహిమీద పోయింది
manishimida pida mahimida poyindi
The evil/burden on the person has transferred to the earth.
This expression is used when a person narrowly escapes a misfortune or when an object is broken/lost instead of a person getting hurt. It signifies that the bad luck or evil eye intended for the person was absorbed by the earth or a material object, resulting in a sense of relief.
ఉత్త చేతులు మూర వేసినట్టు
utta chetulu mura vesinattu
Like measuring the air.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes grand plans or claims without having any resources, basis, or substance. It refers to the futility of trying to measure length (a cubit) when you have nothing to measure or no foundation to work from.
Idle dreams.
సముద్రానికి ఏతము వేసినట్లు
samudraniki etamu vesinatlu
Like fixing a pump to the sea. For full description of the Etam, Etām or Yâtâm (the Indian swape called by the English Picota) see Buchanan's Mysore. He is building a bridge over the sea.
This expression describes a futile or insignificant effort. An 'Etamu' (picota) is a traditional tool used to draw water from small wells for irrigation; using such a small tool to try and empty or impact a vast ocean is pointless and ineffective. It is used when someone's efforts are grossly inadequate for the scale of the task at hand.
ఎలుకకు పిల్లి పొంచు వేసినట్టు
elukaku pilli ponchu vesinattu
Like a cat crouching for a mouse.
This expression describes a situation where someone is stealthily waiting for the right moment to ambush or catch someone off guard. It is used to denote extreme vigilance, patience, or a predatory stance in anticipation of an opponent's mistake.
ఉడుమును చంక పెట్టుకుని ఊళ్లో ప్రవేశించినట్టు
udumunu chanka pettukuni ullo praveshinchinattu
Going into a village with a guana in one's arms.
This expression refers to bringing something extremely unlucky, troublesome, or dangerous into a community or household. In Telugu folklore, monitor lizards are traditionally associated with bad luck or 'shani'; bringing one home is seen as inviting disaster through one's own foolish actions.
Eccentric conduct.
ఇల్లు విప్పి పందిలి వేసినట్టు
illu vippi pandili vesinattu
He pulled his house to pieces and built a Pandili [ with the materials ]. Said of an arrant fool.
This expression describes a situation where someone destroys something permanent, valuable, or essential to create something temporary or of far less value. It is used to criticize poor decision-making and a lack of foresight.
కాకులను కొట్టి గద్దలకు వేసినట్లు
kakulanu kotti gaddalaku vesinatlu
To kill crows and throw them to the kites.
This proverb is used to describe an act of taking away from the poor or weak to give to the rich or powerful. It highlights an unfair or unethical distribution of resources where those who have little are exploited to benefit those who already have plenty.
He robs Peter to pay Paul.
బిడ్డను వేసి లోతు చూచినట్టు
biddanu vesi lotu chuchinattu
Like throwing a child into a well to find out the depth.
This expression is used to describe a foolish or reckless action where one risks something very precious just to test or find out something trivial or dangerous. It highlights extreme negligence or a lack of common sense in decision-making.
దొంగ వాకిట మంచం వేసినట్లు
donga vakita mancham vesinatlu
Putting your bed in the yard of a thief's house. To watch his doings. Outwitting a crafty man.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unknowingly or foolishly seeks protection or places their trust in the very person who intends to harm or rob them. It signifies an act of extreme negligence or lack of common sense.
ఉడుమును చంక పెట్టుకొని ఊళ్ళో ప్రవేశించినట్టు.
udumunu chanka pettukoni ullo praveshinchinattu.
Like entering a village while carrying a monitor lizard under one's arm.
This proverb is used to describe someone who knowingly or unknowingly brings a source of misfortune, bad luck, or a huge problem into their own home or community. In Telugu folklore, carrying a monitor lizard (udumu) is traditionally considered a bad omen that brings ruin to the place it enters.