అడకత్తెరలో పోకచెక్కలాగా
adakatteralo pokachekkalaga
Like a betel nut in a nutcracker
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is caught between two opposing forces, difficulties, or powerful parties with no way to escape. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English idiom 'between a rock and a hard place'.
Related Phrases
అడకత్తులో పోక
adakattulo poka
Like a nut in the nippers. Adakattu are nippers used for breaking Areca nuts. To be between the hammer and the anvil. (Franch.)
This expression is used to describe a person who is stuck in a difficult or tight situation, caught between two opposing forces with no way to escape. It is similar to the English idiom 'Between a rock and a hard place.'
చిత్త కార్తెలో కుక్కలాగా
chitta kartelo kukkalaga
Like a dog in the Chitta rain season (Chitta Karthe).
This expression is used to describe someone who is wandering aimlessly, behaving restlessly, or is extremely agitated. In Telugu culture, it is observed that dogs often become very active, loud, or roam excessively during the specific lunar mansion period known as Chitta Karthe, which usually coincides with the breeding season.
అడకత్తెరలో చిక్కుకున్న వక్కలాగా
adakatteralo chikkukunna vakkalaga
Like a betel nut caught in a nutcracker.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is caught between two opposing forces, pressures, or difficult choices with no easy way to escape. It is equivalent to the English idioms 'between a rock and a hard place' or 'caught in the crossfire.'
పానకంలో పుడకలాగా
panakamlo pudakalaga
Like a splinter in the panakam (sweet drink).
This expression is used to describe a person or a thing that acts as a nuisance or an obstacle in an otherwise pleasant or smooth situation. Just as a small piece of wood or a splinter ruins the experience of drinking a delicious sweet beverage, this refers to an unwelcome interruption.
ఉత్తరలో చల్లిన పైరు, కత్తెరలో నరికిన కొయ్య.
uttaralo challina pairu, katteralo narikina koyya.
A crop sown during the Uttara Nakshatra is like wood cut with scissors.
This is an agricultural proverb implying that crops sown during the Uttara rain (Karti) grow very strong, sturdy, and yield high results, comparing their strength to hard timber. It highlights the importance of seasonal timing in farming.
పానకంలో పుడక
panakamlo pudaka
A small stick in the sweet syrup
This expression is used to describe a person or an obstacle that disrupts a smooth or pleasant situation. Similar to the English idiom 'a fly in the ointment', it refers to a minor but annoying interference that spoils the enjoyment of something good.
గాడిద గత్తెర
gadida gattera
Donkey's chaos/clipping
This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme chaos, disorder, or a messy state of affairs. It often refers to something that is disorganized, nonsensical, or a noisy disturbance where nothing constructive is happening.
వాడలో నా పోకచెక్క సగం వున్నది భాయీ
vadalo na pokachekka sagam vunnadi bhayi
My half areca nut is in the ship, brother! A merchant was returning to his country in a ship which he had laden with areca-nuts. A friend on board cunningly dropped half of a nut which he was eating into the hold, exclaiming "My half nut is in the ship, brother!" The merchant laughing replied that he would restore it, on which the other, pretending to carry on the joke, made him give a bond to the effect that his half areca-nut was in the ship. The phrase also could be construed as meaning that half the areca-nuts in the ship were his. On arriving at their destination the merchant was prosecuted by the swindler and cheated out of half his cargo. Said of a clever cheat.
This expression is used to mock people who try to claim a share or establish a connection in something they have no right to, or who exaggerate their minimal involvement in a big event. It highlights the absurdity of claiming ownership or importance based on a trivial or non-existent contribution.
కత్తెరలో వాన కనకపు పంట
katteralo vana kanakapu panta
Rain during the Kathera season results in a golden harvest
Kathera refers to the 'Karthika' period or specifically the peak summer (Agni Nakshatram) where heat is intense. This proverb highlights the traditional agricultural belief that if it rains during this specific period, it is highly auspicious for the soil and will lead to a bumper crop, as valuable as gold.
ఎదలో కత్తెర నాలుకలో బెల్లం
edalo kattera nalukalo bellam
Scissors in the heart, jaggery on the tongue
This proverb describes a hypocritical person who speaks very sweetly and kindly (like jaggery) but harbors harmful or malicious intentions (like sharp scissors) in their heart. It is used to warn others about people who are outwardly pleasant but inwardly deceitful.