సన్నపని చేయబోతే సున్నం సున్నం అయిందట.

sannapani cheyabote sunnam sunnam ayindata.

Translation

When trying to do delicate work, everything turned into lime powder.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to perform a very fine or meticulous task backfires, resulting in total destruction or waste of resources. It is used when someone's over-ambition or lack of skill in handling delicate matters leads to a complete mess instead of the intended perfection.

Related Phrases

Zero to zero, nothing to nothing

This expression is used to describe a situation that results in a total loss or a state of being back at square one with nothing to show for one's efforts. It signifies a complete wash-out or a scenario where two opposing forces cancel each other out, leaving behind a void or no net gain.

He won't even give lime (chuna) if a finger is cut.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person who refuses to help others even in a dire emergency or for a very small cost. In olden days, lime paste was used as a quick first aid for small cuts; the phrase suggests the person is so greedy they wouldn't even spare a tiny bit of lime to stop someone's bleeding.

When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'

This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.

If you scrape the lime off the wall, it won't come off.

This expression is used to describe a situation or a person that is extremely stingy or a resource that is completely exhausted. It implies that no matter how much effort you put in, you cannot extract anything of value from someone who has nothing to give or is unwilling to share even the smallest amount.

When lime was applied to improve the color, it resulted in a lump for the mother.

This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to improve something or make it beautiful actually ruins it or makes it worse. It is used when a well-intentioned action results in a complete mess or a loss of original value.

Like trying to make a sage but ending up with a cat instead.

This proverb describes a situation where one attempts to create or achieve something noble, grand, or highly skillful, but due to lack of skill or an unfortunate turn of events, the end result turns out to be something trivial, inferior, or completely different. It is used to mock failed ambitious attempts.

Trying to make an idol of a teacher (or god), but it turned into a monkey.

This expression is used when a well-intentioned task or project goes completely wrong due to incompetence or unexpected errors, resulting in something unintended and often ridiculous. It describes a situation where an attempt to create something noble or superior ends up as a mess.

Like applying lime to someone who asked for food

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.

When trying to make a sage, it turned into a cat

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to do something great or noble, but due to lack of skill or bad luck, the end result is mediocre or a failure. It is similar to the English expression 'The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.' Note: The user provided 'Malli' (Jasmine) or 'Munni', but the standard proverb is 'Muni' (Sage/Ascetic).

Like applying lime to one eye and butter to the other

This expression is used to describe showing partiality or unfair discrimination. It refers to a situation where two people or things are treated differently despite being equal, with one receiving harsh treatment (lime/caustic) and the other receiving soft, preferential treatment (butter).