అగ్గిచూపితే వెన్న అడక్కుండా కరుగుతుంది
aggichupite venna adakkunda karugutundi
If you show fire, butter melts without being asked.
This expression means that certain results are inevitable when the right conditions are met. Just as butter cannot resist heat, people or situations will react naturally and immediately to strong influence, pressure, or temptation without needing to be told.
Related Phrases
అరక అరిగితే గరిసె విరుగుతుంది
araka arigite garise virugutundi
If the plough wears out, the granary will break.
This proverb highlights the direct relationship between hard work (represented by the plough) and prosperity (represented by the granary). It implies that if the tools of labor are used extensively to the point of wearing out, it results in such a bountiful harvest that the storage containers might even break under the weight of the yield. It is used to encourage diligent effort in one's profession.
వేలు చూపిస్తే మండ మింగుతారు, మండ చూపిస్తే మనిషినే మింగుతారు
velu chupiste manda mingutaru, manda chupiste manishine mingutaru
If you show a finger, they will swallow the arm; if you show the arm, they will swallow the whole person.
This proverb describes people who take undue advantage of someone's kindness or small concessions. It is used to caution against being overly generous with greedy or manipulative people who, when given a small opportunity, will eventually try to take everything or exploit the giver completely.
డౌలు చూపితే, దరిద్రం పోతుందా?
daulu chupite, daridram potunda?
Will poverty vanish just by putting on a show of style?
This expression is used to criticize someone who tries to maintain a high-status appearance or a stylish facade while lacking the actual financial means or substance to back it up. It implies that superficiality cannot solve deep-rooted problems.
సెగ తగిలితే పాకం కరుగుతుందట
sega tagilite pakam karugutundata
They say the syrup melts when it feels the heat
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is stubborn, cold, or unresponsive finally starts to yield or change their attitude when they face pressure, difficulty, or a direct consequence (the 'heat'). It implies that everyone has a breaking point or a point of vulnerability.
హస్త పోయిన ఆరు దినాలకు అడగకుండా విత్తు
hasta poyina aru dinalaku adagakunda vittu
Sow the seeds without asking six days after the Hasta constellation ends.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the monsoon. It suggests that the six-day period following the completion of the Hasta Karthi (constellation) is the most auspicious and fertile time for sowing crops. It implies that farmers don't even need to seek advice during this time as the soil conditions are naturally ideal for a good harvest.
తన వాసి తప్పితే తన వన్నె తరుగుతుంది.
tana vasi tappite tana vanne tarugutundi.
If one loses their character, their glory diminishes.
This proverb emphasizes that a person's reputation and status (glory) are directly tied to their conduct and character. If one deviates from their values or loses their integrity, their social standing and respect will naturally decline. It is used to advise someone to maintain their standards to preserve their dignity.
అడక్కుంటే జోలె అడుక్కుపోతుంది.
adakkunte jole adukkupotundi.
If you don't ask, even the begging bag will sink to the bottom.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of asking for what one needs or deserves. It suggests that if you are too shy or hesitant to speak up or make a request, you will miss out on opportunities or lose what you already have. It is used to encourage people to be proactive and vocal rather than passive.
కక్కిన బిడ్డ దక్కుతుంది
kakkina bidda dakkutundi
A child who vomits will survive (thrive)
This is a traditional Telugu saying used by elders to reassure worried parents when an infant spits up milk. It suggests that vomiting is a sign of a healthy appetite or overfeeding, and implies that the child is growing well and will remain healthy.
వాసి తరిగితే వన్నె తరుగుతుంది.
vasi tarigite vanne tarugutundi.
If the quality decreases, the shine decreases.
This expression means that a person's reputation or outward respect depends entirely on their character or the quality of their work. If one's inner worth or standard of work (vasi) declines, their fame and public standing (vanne) will automatically diminish.
ఎంచివేస్తే ఆరి తరుగుతుందా?
enchiveste ari tarugutunda?
Will the quantity decrease if you count them?
This expression is used when someone is reluctant to share or reveal a large quantity of items out of fear that counting or showcasing them will somehow diminish their value or amount. It highlights the irrationality of being overly secretive or stingy when nothing is actually lost by being transparent or acknowledging the truth.