This is a Georgian idiomatic expression. It conveys the idea that, as a quail will never perch in a tree because it can not, so a person will not be able to accomplish a task or perform, due to his/her inability. Under the word inability, I mean both - mental and physical ineptitude. Is there an equivalent expression with the similar meaning in English ?
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1There's nothing wrong with it the way it's stated.Hot Licks– Hot Licks2018-04-04 20:58:10 +00:00Commented Apr 4, 2018 at 20:58
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2 Answers
I can think of a couple of expressions that are similar to, if not the same as, your expression. One is "like a fish out of water"; the other is "out of one's element".
To novelist Robert Heinlein is attributed "Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig."
We can't all play first violin in the orchestra, [somebody has to push wind through the trombone.]
I'm quite familiar with this expression (I've even heard someone invert it to give the reverse meaning). I'm very surprised that there are so few hits on the internet.
