పొదుగు కోసి పాలు త్రాగినట్టు.

podugu kosi palu traginattu.

Translation

Like cutting the udder to drink milk.

Meaning

This proverb describes an act of extreme foolishness or greed where one destroys the source of a recurring benefit for a small, immediate gain. It is used when someone ruins their future prospects or a sustainable resource by being impatient or short-sighted.

Related Phrases

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.

Drink the mother's milk, drink the earth's water, and become a blessed person.

This expression emphasizes the natural progression of life and a person's duty to their roots. It suggests that one is nurtured first by their mother's milk and then sustained by the resources of their motherland. To be 'blessed' or 'successful' (Dhanyudu), one must acknowledge these foundations and live a life that honors both the biological mother and the earth/homeland.

Like cutting the udder to drink milk

This expression refers to a short-sighted or greedy action where someone destroys a valuable source of long-term benefits for a small, immediate gain. It is similar to the English proverb 'killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.' It is used when someone's impatience or lack of foresight leads to self-inflicted loss.

Like feeding milk and raising a snake.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone helps or nurtures a person who is inherently dangerous or ungrateful, and who will eventually turn around and harm their benefactor. It serves as a warning against trusting or aiding individuals with a malicious nature.

Short and strong, tall and weak. A short man needs no stool to give a great lubber a box on the car.

This proverb suggests that physical stature does not necessarily determine strength or capability. It implies that short people are often sturdy and resilient (tough), while tall people might be clumsy or lacking in stamina (hollow). It is used to caution against judging someone's ability based solely on their height.

Like cutting the udder for milk

This expression describes the actions of someone who, out of greed or impatience for an immediate small gain, destroys the very source of their long-term benefit. It is used when a person's short-sightedness leads to a permanent loss.

Like cutting off the head and attaching it to the waist.

This expression is used to describe a completely illogical, foolish, or disproportionate solution to a problem. It refers to a situation where the remedy is worse than the disease, or when someone tries to fix a minor issue by causing a much larger, irreversible disaster.

Like drinking water from under someone's elbow

This expression is used to describe a state of complete dependence or subservience to someone else. It refers to a person who has no independence and must rely on the whims or 'leftovers' of another person for their survival or progress.

Will the stomach of one who drinks wash-water ever be full?

This proverb is used to indicate that low-quality or insufficient resources cannot satisfy a great need. Just as drinking the water used to wash rice (instead of eating the rice itself) won't satisfy hunger, superficial solutions cannot solve deep-rooted problems.

Like cutting the udder, and drinking the milk. Ruining one's self by ambition.

This expression describes a person who, in their greed for immediate gain, destroys the very source of their wealth or livelihood. It is used to criticize short-sighted actions that provide a small instant benefit but cause permanent loss.