రెక్కలు పెరికిన పిట్ట వలె
rekkalu perikina pitta vale
Like a bird whose wings have been plucked.
This expression describes a state of utter helplessness, powerlessness, or vulnerability. Just as a bird cannot fly or protect itself without its wings, it refers to a person who has lost their primary source of strength, support, or resources, leaving them unable to function or defend themselves.
Related Phrases
తీతువు పిట్ట రాయబారం
tituvu pitta rayabaram
The mediation of a lapwing bird.
Used to describe a situation where a weak or insignificant person attempts to mediate between two powerful parties, often resulting in no one listening to them or the mediation being entirely ineffective. It originates from folklore where a small bird tries to settle a dispute between larger animals or forces.
పిట్టా పిట్టా పోరు పిల్లి తీర్చినట్టు
pitta pitta poru pilli tirchinattu
Like the cat settling the dispute between two birds. By eating them both up ( See Telugu Panchatantra, page 94. )
This proverb describes a situation where a third party takes advantage of a conflict between two people. Instead of resolving the issue fairly, the mediator benefits themselves at the expense of both disputing parties, much like a cat eating the birds it was supposed to mediate for.
చెలమకు పిట్టలు చేరినట్లు.
chelamaku pittalu cherinatlu.
Like birds flocking to a small pool of water.
This expression is used to describe a situation where people naturally gravitate towards a source of profit, help, or abundance. Just as birds gather at a 'chelama' (a small pit of water dug in a dried-up riverbed) during dry times, people flock to those who have wealth or resources.
వెంట్రుకలు పెరికివేయగానే పీనుగు తేలిక అవుతుందా?
ventrukalu perikiveyagane pinugu telika avutunda?
Will a corpse become lighter just by plucking out its hair?
This proverb is used to point out that removing a tiny, insignificant part of a large problem or burden does not make the overall situation any easier. It highlights the futility of focusing on trivial details when dealing with a massive issue.
పిట్టపోరు పిట్టపోరు పిల్లి తీర్చినట్లు
pittaporu pittaporu pilli tirchinatlu
Like a cat resolving the fight between two small birds
This expression is used to describe a situation where two parties are fighting over something, and a third party intervenes under the guise of helping, only to take advantage of the situation and seize the prize for themselves. It serves as a warning against letting outsiders mediate internal conflicts when their intentions might be predatory.
మేకును పెరికిన కోతి వలె
mekunu perikina koti vale
Like the monkey that drew out the wedge. “ ‘ You know the story of the Monkey, don’t you ? ’ [ said Karataka ]. “The Monkey drew the sawyer’s wedge, and died; Let meddlers mark it, and be edited.” ‘ No ! ’ said Damanaka. ‘ How was it ? ‘ In this way,’ answered Karataka :— ‘ In south Behar, close by the retreat of Dhurmma, there was an open plot of ground, upon which a temple was in course of erection, under the management of a man of the Kayeth caste named Subhadatta. A car- penter upon the works had partly sawed through a long beam of wood, and wedged it open, and was gone away, leaving the wedge fixed. Shortly afterwards a large herd of Monkeys came frolicking that way, and one of their number, directed doubtless by the Angel of death, got astride the beam, and grasped the wedge, with his tail and lower parts dangling down between the pieces of the wood. Not content with this, in the mischief natural to monkeys, he began to tug at the wedge; till at last it yielded to a great effort and came out; when the wood closed upon him, and jammed him all fast. So perished the monkey, miserably crushed ; and I say again,— “ Let meddlers mark it and be edited.” ( Arnold's Book of Good Counsels from the Hitopadesa pp. 49, 50.)
This expression describes a situation where someone meddles in affairs they do not understand, resulting in trouble or self-inflicted harm. It originates from a fable where a monkey pulls out a wooden wedge from a split log, only to have its limbs caught when the log snaps shut. It is used to caution against unnecessary interference or curiosity in dangerous matters.
కలలో కనుపించిన లంకె బిందెలు రాకపోయినా, పెరికి పెరికి పరుపంతా నీళ్ళచాయ మాత్రం అయింది.
kalalo kanupinchina lanke bindelu rakapoyina, periki periki parupanta nillachaya matram ayindi.
Though the pots of gold seen in the dream didn't arrive, the bed became soaked with water (sweat/urine) from all the digging efforts in the dream.
This proverb describes a situation where a person pursues an imaginary or unrealistic gain, and not only fails to achieve it but also ends up causing actual damage or mess to their current reality. It is used to mock those who waste energy on fantasies only to suffer practical losses.
కాలు కాలిన పిల్లిలా
kalu kalina pillila
Like a cat with a burnt foot
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely restless, anxious, or unable to stay in one place. Just as a cat with a burnt paw would jump around in distress, it refers to a person moving about aimlessly or frantically due to tension or urgency.
పిట్టపోరు పిట్టపోరు పిల్లి తీర్చినట్లు
pittaporu pittaporu pilli tirchinatlu
Like a cat settling a fight between two birds.
This proverb is used when two parties in a dispute seek help from a third party who ends up exploiting the situation for their own benefit, causing both original parties to lose everything. It is a cautionary saying about trusting an untrustworthy mediator.
విత్తులు తీసిన కోడె, ఈకలు పెరికిన కోడి
vittulu tisina kode, ikalu perikina kodi
A castrated bull and a plucked chicken.
This expression refers to someone who has lost their strength, vigor, or natural defenses, rendering them harmless or powerless. Just as a castrated bull loses its aggression and a plucked chicken cannot fly or protect itself, it describes a person who has been stripped of their authority or capability to act.