పులి మీసాలు కుందేలు మేసినట్లు
puli misalu kundelu mesinatlu
Like a rabbit grazing on a tiger's whiskers
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
తీయని నోరు చేదు మేసినట్లు
tiyani noru chedu mesinatlu
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.
వంటరి ఇల్లు కుందేలు చొచ్చినట్లు
vantari illu kundelu chochchinatlu
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.
పులి మీసాలు పట్టుకుని ఉయ్యాల ఊగినట్టు
puli misalu pattukuni uyyala uginattu
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.
కుక్క సింహం కాదు, కుందేలు తోడేలు కాదు
kukka simham kadu, kundelu todelu kadu
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.
పట్టినవాడు తాబేలు అంటే, గట్టున ఉన్నవాడు కుందేలు అన్నట్లు
pattinavadu tabelu ante, gattuna unnavadu kundelu annatlu
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.
అంబలి తాగేవాడికి మీసాలెగరేసినట్లు
ambali tagevadiki misalegaresinatlu
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.
కుక్క గోవు కాదు, కుందేలు పులి కాదు
kukka govu kadu, kundelu puli kadu
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.
వంట ఇంటి కుందేలు
vanta inti kundelu
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.
కుందేలు కాలు నాకుకున్నట్లు
kundelu kalu nakukunnatlu
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.
కంచే చేను మేసింది.
kanche chenu mesindi.
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.