అరవై ఏండ్లకు అడ్డగోడ పట్టుకొని నడిస్తే అమ్మా అబ్బకు ఆశ్చర్యమైందట.
aravai endlaku addagoda pattukoni nadiste amma abbaku ashcharyamaindata.
When someone walked holding a wall for support at sixty years of age, their parents were supposedly surprised.
This proverb is used to mock someone who achieves a very basic or expected milestone much later than usual, or performs a common action so late in life that it is no longer impressive. It highlights the irony of showing 'child-like' progress at an old age.
Related Phrases
ఆరేళ్ళ అబ్బాయి 'అమ్మా' అంటే వాడి అమ్మ అబ్బురపడిందట
arella abbayi amma ante vadi amma abburapadindata
When a six-year-old boy finally said 'Mother', his mother was supposedly amazed.
This expression is used to mock someone who takes an excessively long time to do something basic or obvious, and then expects praise or wonder for it. It highlights that the achievement is actually delayed and overdue rather than being a cause for genuine surprise.
అడ్డగోడ మీద పిల్లి
addagoda mida pilli
A cat on a dividing wall
This expression describes a person who is indecisive or neutral, waiting to see which side of an issue will be more advantageous before committing. Just like a cat sitting on a narrow wall can jump to either side at any moment, it refers to someone who refuses to take a firm stand.
అరవై ఏండ్లకు అగ్గిగండం అన్నట్లు.
aravai endlaku aggigandam annatlu.
Like saying there is a danger of fire at sixty years of age.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone predicts or faces an unnecessary or unexpected catastrophe just when things are supposed to be settled or peaceful. It refers to an ironic or ill-timed misfortune occurring late in life or at an inappropriate time.
గచ్చపొద పట్టుకున్నట్లు
gachchapoda pattukunnatlu
Like holding onto a thorny grey nicker bush
This expression is used to describe getting stuck in a situation where you cannot move forward, yet letting go or moving back is equally painful or difficult. It represents a 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' scenario where any action taken results in hurt or complication.
అరవై ఏండ్లైతే అర్లుమర్లు
aravai endlaite arlumarlu
At sixty years, one becomes muddled or confused.
This proverb is used to describe the onset of senility or the mental decline that often comes with old age. It suggests that when a person reaches sixty, they may become forgetful, lose their sharpness, or behave erratically, similar to the concept of 'dotage'.
అరవై ఏళ్లయిన తర్వాత అమ్మా అన్నాడట
aravai ellayina tarvata amma annadata
After sixty years had passed, he cried Ammâ (mother). Second childhood. Old men are twice children. (Latin.)
This expression is used to describe someone who starts learning the basics or realizes their responsibilities far too late in life. It highlights an action that is extremely delayed or untimely, suggesting that the time to do something has already passed.
అరవై ఏళ్ళ అన్నంభట్టు అద్దం చూచి బిద్దం బిద్దం అంటే, అదీ వాళ్ళమ్మకు ఆశ్చర్యం వేసింది.
aravai ella annambhattu addam chuchi biddam biddam ante, adi vallammaku ashcharyam vesindi.
When the sixty-year-old Annambhattu looked in the mirror and said 'Biddam Biddam', his mother was still surprised.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be innocent or childlike long after they have grown up, or to describe parents who refuse to acknowledge their adult children's maturity, treating their obvious or foolish behavior as something special or cute.
అందని మాని పండ్లకు ఆశ పడ్డట్టు
andani mani pandlaku asha paddattu
Like wishing for fruit which cannot be reached.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone desires or pursues something that is completely beyond their reach, capability, or status. It highlights the futility of having unrealistic ambitions or craving for unattainable goals.
అరవై ఏండ్లు నిండిన వాడికి ఆలోచన అడక్కు, ఇరవై ఏండ్లు నిండని వానికి పెత్తనమీయకు.
aravai endlu nindina vadiki alochana adakku, iravai endlu nindani vaniki pettanamiyaku.
Do not ask for advice from a man over sixty, and do not give authority to a man under twenty.
This proverb highlights traditional views on age and capability. It suggests that those who are very old may sometimes lose their mental clarity or become outdated in their thinking, while those who are too young lack the maturity and experience required to handle administrative or household responsibilities effectively.
ఐదో ఏట అప్పంబొట్లు అడ్డగోడ పట్టుకొని అబ్బా అంటే అరుచోద్య పోయినారట
aido eta appambotlu addagoda pattukoni abba ante aruchodya poyinarata
When Appambotlu, at the age of five, held a wall and cried 'Abba', people were supposedly amazed.
This proverb is used to mock people who act surprised or impressed by something that is completely normal or expected. A five-year-old child being able to hold a wall and call out to their father is a basic developmental milestone, not a miracle. It highlights the tendency of some to exaggerate trivial occurrences as if they are great wonders.