పులి మీసాలు కుందేలు మేసినట్లు

puli misalu kundelu mesinatlu

Translation

Like a rabbit grazing on a tiger's whiskers

Meaning

This expression describes a situation where an extremely weak or timid person attempts to take advantage of or mock someone who is immensely powerful and dangerous. It is often used to highlight an act of foolish overconfidence or an impossible, paradoxical scenario that defies logic.

Related Phrases

Like a sweet mouth grazing on bitterness

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is accustomed to goodness, pleasantness, or luxury suddenly experiences something very unpleasant, harsh, or bitter. It highlights the sharp and jarring contrast between a previous happy state and a current miserable one.

Like a rabbit entering a lonely or deserted house

This expression is used to describe someone who occupies or takes over a place that is empty, unprotected, or lacks proper supervision. It suggests that a person is taking undue advantage of a situation where there is no one to question their authority or presence.

Taking hold of a tiger's mustaches and swinging one's self. A rash enterprise.

This expression is used to describe an extremely dangerous, reckless, or foolhardy act. It signifies taking a massive risk where even the slightest mistake or the subject's reaction could lead to certain disaster. It is often used to warn someone who is 'playing with fire' or dealing with a volatile situation/person too casually.

A dog is not a lion, and a rabbit is not a wolf.

This proverb is used to emphasize that every living being or individual has their own inherent nature and limitations. One cannot change their fundamental character or identity to become something superior or more aggressive, just as a domestic dog cannot possess the majesty of a lion, nor can a timid rabbit become a predatory wolf.

When the one who caught it says it's a turtle, the one on the shore says it's a rabbit.

This proverb describes a situation where people stubbornly argue over their own perceptions or biases, even when the facts are clear. It is used to mock people who contradict someone with firsthand experience or those who insist on their own version of the truth despite evidence to the contrary.

Like a man drinking porridge twirling his mustache.

This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to show off or act proud despite being in a poor or humble situation. It mocks the act of displaying unnecessary arrogance when one's basic needs are barely met.

A dog is not a cow, and a rabbit is not a tiger

This expression means that every being or object has its own inherent nature and limitations. It is used to suggest that one cannot change their fundamental character or capabilities to become something vastly different, emphasizing that appearances or minor similarities do not change one's true essence.

A rabbit in the kitchen

This expression describes someone who never leaves their home or is extremely timid and stays within a confined, safe environment. It is used to mock someone's lack of worldly exposure or their tendency to always stay indoors, much like a pet rabbit that stays around the kitchen for food.

Like a rabbit licking its own leg

This expression is used to describe a person who is overly self-satisfied or takes immense pride in their own small achievements, often ignoring the bigger picture or failing to realize that their actions are self-serving and of little consequence to others.

The fence ate up the crop.

This proverb is used when the law-enforcing officer demands and gets bribe. It calls upon the custodians of law to abide by law themselves and give no scope for any lapses in the performance of their duties.