ఊరంతా వడ్లెండబెట్టుకొంటే, నక్కతోక ఎండబెట్టుకొన్నదట
uranta vadlendabettukonte, nakkatoka endabettukonnadata
While the whole village was drying grain, someone was drying a fox's tail.
This proverb describes a person who does something useless, eccentric, or irrelevant while everyone else is engaged in productive or essential work. It is used to mock people who lack a sense of priority or follow trends in a foolish and meaningless way.
Related Phrases
పులిని చూచి నక్క వాతలు పెట్టుకున్నట్లు
pulini chuchi nakka vatalu pettukunnatlu
Like a fox branding itself with stripes after seeing a tiger
This proverb describes a situation where someone foolishly tries to imitate others who are naturally superior or more capable, often causing self-harm or ridicule in the process. It is used to mock people who blindly copy others without having the same inherent talent or status.
నీరు కట్టేవాడు తన మడి ఎండబెట్టుకోడు
niru kattevadu tana madi endabettukodu
The one who regulates the water flow will not let his own field dry up.
This proverb highlights that a person in a position of authority or control over resources will always ensure their own needs are met first. It is often used to describe self-interest or the inherent advantage one gains from being in charge of a process.
ఏరు ఏడామడ ఉండగానే చీర విప్పి చంకబెట్టుకొన్నదట
eru edamada undagane chira vippi chankabettukonnadata
She allegedly took off her saree and tucked it under her arm even while the river was seven miles away.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is overly anxious or prepares prematurely for an event that is still very far off. It mocks people who take drastic actions or get excited about a situation long before it actually arrives.
కట్టుకున్న వాడి మీదకంటే పెట్టుకున్న వాడి మీదనే ప్రేమ
kattukunna vadi midakante pettukunna vadi midane prema
There is more love for the one who provides ornaments than for the one who provides the wedding knot.
This proverb is used to criticize people who value material wealth, gifts, or superficial displays of affection over the person who actually provides stability, commitment, and true companionship (like a husband). It highlights human greed or the tendency to favor those who offer temporary luxuries over those who fulfill lifelong responsibilities.
పులిని చూసి నక్క వాత పెట్టుకున్నట్టు
pulini chusi nakka vata pettukunnattu
The jackal branded himself with spots like a tiger. Vulgar display. Apeing one's superiors.
This proverb is used to describe a person who foolishly tries to imitate someone superior or more capable than themselves, often resulting in self-harm or ridicule. It highlights the folly of blind imitation without having the inherent nature or strength of the person being copied.
సాగియారాలు సరిగా పెట్టుకుంటే, తోడియారాలు ఊడిపడ్డాయట
sagiyaralu sariga pettukunte, todiyaralu udipaddayata
When she tried to fix her sagging bangles, her armlets fell off.
This proverb describes a situation where a person, while attempting to fix a minor or trivial issue, ends up causing a much larger problem or losing something more valuable. It highlights incompetence or the irony of losing more while trying to save a little.
నక్కతోక పట్టుకొని నాకలోక మెక్కినట్లు.
nakkatoka pattukoni nakaloka mekkinatlu.
Like catching a fox's tail to reach heaven.
This expression is used to describe a person who experiences sudden, unexpected good luck or success through a minor or unlikely connection. It mocks the idea that a trivial action could lead to a monumental achievement, or describes someone who believes they have achieved greatness through sheer luck rather than merit.
ఊరంతా వడ్లు ఎండబెట్టుకుంటే, నక్క తోక ఎండబెట్టుకుందట
uranta vadlu endabettukunte, nakka toka endabettukundata
When the whole village put their rice in the sun to dry, the jackal put his tail to dry. Foolish imitation.
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to imitate others' actions without understanding the purpose or importance of the task, often doing something irrelevant or foolish just to fit in. It highlights the difference between productive work and mindless imitation.
వన్నెలమ్మను వండబెట్టిన ఇంటిరాజులను పండబెట్టిందట.
vannelammanu vandabettina intirajulanu pandabettindata.
The woman who was asked to cook ended up laying the household men to rest.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was brought in to help or perform a simple task ends up causing complete destruction or ruin. It highlights the irony of a person’s incompetence or malicious nature resulting in a disaster far worse than the original problem they were meant to solve.
అనుమానపు మొగుడు ఆలిని వీపుకు కట్టుకొంటే, పెండ్లాము మిండ మగనిని కొప్పులో పెట్టుకొన్నదట.
anumanapu mogudu alini vipuku kattukonte, pendlamu minda maganini koppulo pettukonnadata.
If a suspicious husband ties his wife to his back, the wife hides her lover in her hair bun.
This proverb highlights that extreme suspicion or over-protective control cannot prevent someone from being unfaithful if they intend to be. It suggests that if a person is determined to deceive, they will find a way regardless of how many restrictions or monitoring measures are put in place by a jealous partner.