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.'
Related Phrases
కలకాలం బతికినా కాటికి పోక తప్పదు
kalakalam batikina katiki poka tappadu
No matter how long you live, you cannot avoid going to the cremation ground.
This proverb emphasizes the inevitability of death. It is used to remind someone that despite wealth, power, or a long life, everyone is mortal and will eventually pass away. It serves as a philosophical reflection on the temporary nature of life.
ఆడకాడక సమర్హాడితే, చాకలోడు కోక ఎత్తుకొని పోయినాడట.
adakadaka samarhadite, chakalodu koka ettukoni poyinadata.
When one finally chose a time to play after a long wait, the washerman reportedly ran away with the clothes.
This proverb describes a situation where a person faces an unexpected hurdle or bad luck the one time they finally decide to do something or celebrate. It is used when a rare opportunity is ruined by an unfortunate coincidence.
మనసులోని మర్మం, నీళ్ళలోని లోతు ఎరుగలేము
manasuloni marmam, nillaloni lotu erugalemu
One cannot know the secrets of the mind or the depth of the water
This expression highlights the inherent difficulty in truly understanding another person's hidden thoughts, intentions, or character, just as it is impossible to gauge the exact depth of water simply by looking at its surface. It is used to caution others that appearances can be deceiving and that human motives are often deep and complex.
రేవులోని తాడి అడ్డుచేటు
revuloni tadi adduchetu
A palm tree in a ferry crossing is a nuisance.
This proverb refers to someone or something that is in a position where it serves no purpose but to obstruct or hinder others. Just as a palm tree growing exactly at a boat landing point makes it difficult for people to board or disembark, a person with this attitude causes unnecessary inconvenience to everyone involved.
ఆకుకు అందక, పోకకు పొందక
akuku andaka, pokaku pondaka
Neither reaching the leaf, nor matching the nut
This expression describes a state of being useless or fitting nowhere. It is used when something or someone fails to meet any criteria or serve any purpose in a given situation, similar to being 'neither here nor there'. It specifically refers to the preparation of a betel leaf (paan), where an ingredient fits neither the leaf nor the areca nut.
అద్దములోని ముడుపు
addamuloni mudupu
Like a bag of money in a looking glass. Visionary prospects.
This expression refers to something that is visible but unattainable, or a promise that is illusory. Just as one can see the image of an offering or money in a mirror but cannot actually touch or spend it, it describes wealth or benefits that exist only on paper or in theory but cannot be used in reality.
నత్త నడక
natta nadaka
Snail's pace
This expression is used to describe something that is moving or progressing extremely slowly. It is commonly used to criticize slow administrative processes, delayed projects, or people who are taking too long to complete a task.
పల్నాటిలో పోకకు పుట్టెడు అమ్మితే, ఆ పోకా దొరకక పొర్లి పొర్లీ ఏడ్చినదట
palnatilo pokaku puttedu ammite, a poka dorakaka porli porli edchinadata
When a Puṭṭi of grain was sold in Pôlnâḍu for an areca nut, she rolled herself on the ground and cried, for she could not even get that. Very unfortunate.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme scarcity or hyperinflation where even when one is willing to pay an exorbitant price, the desired object is simply unavailable. It is used to highlight the futility of having resources when the supply of essentials has completely vanished.
*Ubi amiti, ibi opes.
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'.
పానకంలో పుడక
panakamlo pudaka
A bit of straw in sherbet.
This expression is used to describe an unnecessary or annoying person or thing that interrupts an otherwise pleasant situation. Panakam is a delicious, smooth traditional sweet drink, and finding a tiny twig or splinter in it ruins the experience.