चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा
Mouse dreams of cat
حرفيًا: Even the mouse has started dreaming of the cat.
Use this to sarcastically describe someone who has forgotten their limits and is acting overly ambitious.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for someone aiming way too high for their current status.
- Implies a person is being delusional or overly ambitious.
- A sarcastic way to describe an underdog acting like a boss.
المعنى
This phrase describes someone who is being overly ambitious or delusional. It is used when a person with very little power or status starts acting like they are superior or starts chasing impossible, high-stakes goals.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Talking about a coworker who just started but is acting like the manager
कल का आया इंटर्न आज सबको आर्डर दे रहा है, लगता है चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा।
The intern who arrived yesterday is giving orders today; looks like the mouse has started dreaming of the cat.
Teasing a friend who can't sing but wants to enter a national competition
तुम्हें सुर का पता नहीं और इंडियन आइडल जाना है? चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा!
You don't know the notes and want to go to Indian Idol? The mouse is dreaming of the cat!
Texting about a local small-time politician making huge promises
इस छोटे से नेता की बातें तो देखो, अब चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा है।
Look at this minor leader's talk; now even the mouse is dreaming of the cat.
خلفية ثقافية
This idiom draws from the universal power dynamic of predator and prey, deeply rooted in Indian folklore like the Panchatantra. It reflects a traditional social outlook that values humility and self-awareness of one's social or professional standing. It became popular as a witty way to comment on social mobility and perceived arrogance.
The Sarcasm Factor
This phrase is almost always sarcastic. If you use it, make sure your tone matches the 'eye-roll' energy of the idiom.
Don't punch up too hard
Be careful using this about your boss in their presence. It implies they are 'small' or 'insignificant' like a mouse.
في 15 ثانية
- Used for someone aiming way too high for their current status.
- Implies a person is being delusional or overly ambitious.
- A sarcastic way to describe an underdog acting like a boss.
What It Means
Imagine a tiny mouse. Usually, it hides from cats to stay alive. But suddenly, this mouse starts dreaming of the cat. It might mean the mouse thinks it can catch the cat. Or maybe it thinks it is as big as the cat. This idiom is about someone who has forgotten their limits. It describes a person aiming way too high. It often implies the person is being a bit foolish or arrogant.
How To Use It
You use this when you see someone punching way above their weight class. It is perfect for describing a sudden shift in attitude. Use it when a humble person starts acting like a boss. You can say it to a friend who is being overconfident. You can also use it to gossip about someone's unrealistic plans. It adds a touch of sarcasm to your conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when your intern starts giving orders to the CEO. Use it when a friend who can't cook tries to open a Michelin-star restaurant. It works great in casual chats about neighborhood drama. If you are watching a movie and the underdog gets too cocky, this fits. It is a favorite for office water-cooler talk. It highlights the gap between reality and someone's ego.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in a formal performance review. It sounds a bit mocking. Do not use it if you want to genuinely encourage someone. It is not a 'you can do it' kind of phrase. It is more of a 'know your place' kind of phrase. If someone is grieving or in a serious crisis, stay away. You don't want to sound mean when someone is actually struggling.
Cultural Background
In Indian culture, the cat and mouse dynamic is the ultimate symbol of power. The billi (cat) is the predator, and the chuha (mouse) is the prey. This hierarchy is understood by everyone from childhood. This idiom likely comes from old folk tales or fables. It reflects a social observation about hierarchy and status. It suggests that nature has an order that shouldn't be disturbed lightly.
Common Variations
You might hear people say chuhe ko par nikal aaye (the mouse has grown wings). This means the same thing—someone is getting too big for their boots. Another version is apni aukat se bahar nikalna (going beyond one's status). However, the cat and mouse version is much more visual. It paints a funny picture of a tiny mouse with a big ego. It is a classic way to poke fun at someone's wild ambitions.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is highly evocative and visual. It sits comfortably in the 'informal' register and is best used for social commentary or lighthearted mocking among peers.
The Sarcasm Factor
This phrase is almost always sarcastic. If you use it, make sure your tone matches the 'eye-roll' energy of the idiom.
Don't punch up too hard
Be careful using this about your boss in their presence. It implies they are 'small' or 'insignificant' like a mouse.
The 'Aukat' Connection
This idiom is a polite, metaphorical way of saying someone is forgetting their 'aukat' (social standing/status), which is a very strong word in Hindi.
أمثلة
6कल का आया इंटर्न आज सबको आर्डर दे रहा है, लगता है चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा।
The intern who arrived yesterday is giving orders today; looks like the mouse has started dreaming of the cat.
Used to highlight the intern's misplaced authority.
तुम्हें सुर का पता नहीं और इंडियन आइडल जाना है? चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा!
You don't know the notes and want to go to Indian Idol? The mouse is dreaming of the cat!
A playful jab at a friend's unrealistic goal.
इस छोटे से नेता की बातें तो देखो, अब चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा है।
Look at this minor leader's talk; now even the mouse is dreaming of the cat.
Sarcastic commentary on political ambition.
मैदान में उतरने से पहले ही इतनी डींगें? चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा।
So much boasting before even entering the field? The mouse is dreaming of the cat.
Used to mock an opponent's overconfidence.
कंपनी डूब रही है और ये उसे खरीदने चले हैं, चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा।
The company is sinking and they are going to buy it; the mouse is dreaming of the cat.
Highlights the absurdity of the business move.
मम्मी ने क्या तारीफ कर दी, अब तो चूहा भी बिल्ली के सपने देखने लगा!
Just because Mom praised you, now the mouse is dreaming of the cat!
Friendly sibling rivalry and teasing.
اختبر نفسك
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence describing a beginner acting like an expert.
उसे अभी गाड़ी चलानी आती नहीं और रेस जीतने की बात कर रहा है, जैसे ___।
The context is about someone having unrealistic ambitions (winning a race without knowing how to drive), which fits this idiom perfectly.
Identify the missing word in the idiom.
चूहा भी ___ के सपने देखने लगा।
The standard idiom specifically uses 'billi' (cat) as the mouse's natural predator and superior.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Spectrum
Used with close friends to mock them playfully.
Talking to a brother.
Common in everyday gossip or office banter.
Talking about a neighbor.
Rarely used as it can sound insulting to superiors.
Not recommended for meetings.
Where to use this idiom
Sports
Weak team claiming they will win the cup.
Office
Newbie trying to teach the boss.
Family
Younger sibling acting like the parent.
Talent
Bad singer aiming for a world tour.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt can be! It is used to mock someone's ego, so use it with friends where a bit of roasting is okay. In a professional setting like office mein, it can sound quite harsh.
No, the idiom is fixed with billi. Using sher would change the classic rhythm and people might not recognize it immediately.
Yes, parents often use it playfully when a child tries to act like an adult. For example, chhota bachcha trying to drive a car.
It uses the past continuous/perfective sense dekhne laga which means 'has started to see/dream'. You can change it to dekh raha hai for 'is dreaming'.
Not necessarily, but it implies the speaker *thinks* they will fail because they are overreaching. It's about the speaker's perspective.
Yes, if you want to be self-deprecating! You could say Main bhi chuha hokar billi के सपने dekh raha hoon to show you know you're being ambitious.
Not really. This specific idiom is rooted in skepticism. For a positive version, you'd use something like aasman chuna (touching the sky).
Absolutely. You'll hear similar metaphors in movies where a villain mocks a hero who is trying to stand up to them.
Yes, it's very common in informal texts or WhatsApp groups to comment on someone's bold claims.
Then the person who used the idiom looks foolish! It's a risk you take when you doubt someone's potential.
عبارات ذات صلة
आसमान के तारे तोड़ना
To do the impossible (Plucking stars from the sky)
अपनी औकात भूलना
To forget one's status/limits
मुँह की खाना
To face a humiliating defeat
हवा में महल बनाना
To build castles in the air
التعليقات (0)
تسجيل الدخول للتعليقابدأ تعلم اللغات مجاناً
ابدأ التعلم مجاناً