అరవై ఏళ్ళు వచ్చిన తరువాత అన్నంభట్లు అటక ఎక్కాడట
aravai ellu vachchina taruvata annambhatlu ataka ekkadata
They say Annambhatlu climbed onto the loft after turning sixty years old.
This proverb is used to describe someone who attempts to start a new venture, learn a new skill, or take up a major responsibility at a very late stage in life when they are no longer physically or mentally fit for it. It highlights the irony of delayed action or performing a task when its relevance or the person's capability has passed.
Related Phrases
చేతులు కాలిన తర్వాత ఆకులు పట్టుకున్నట్లు
chetulu kalina tarvata akulu pattukunnatlu
Like trying to hold onto leaves after the hands are burnt.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes precautions or looks for a solution after the damage is already done. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or 'crying over spilled milk.' It emphasizes that actions taken too late are futile.
ఆలు ఒల్లక అరవై ఏళ్ళు, మొగుడు ఒల్లక ముప్పై ఏళ్ళు, బాలప్రాయం పదేళ్ళు.
alu ollaka aravai ellu, mogudu ollaka muppai ellu, balaprayam padellu.
Sixty years passed as the wife was unwilling, thirty years passed as the husband was unwilling, and ten years passed as childhood.
This proverb describes a wasted life or a failed relationship where time is squandered on mutual dislikes, disagreements, and hesitation. It is used to mock people who spend their entire lives complaining or avoiding responsibilities until it is too late.
ఇల్లు విడిచిన తరువాత ఇల్లాలవుతుందా
illu vidichina taruvata illalavutunda
Will she become a housewife after leaving the house?
This proverb is used to emphasize that one's true role, identity, or duty is tied to their presence and responsibility in a specific place or context. Once you abandon your post or responsibility, you lose the status or title associated with it. It is often used to criticize someone who expects the benefits of a position without fulfilling the duties.
నక్క పోయిన తరువాత బొక్క పట్టుకుని ఏడ్చాడట
nakka poyina taruvata bokka pattukuni edchadata
After the fox escaped, he sat crying at the burrow.
This proverb describes a person who takes action or shows concern after the opportunity is long gone or the damage is already done. It is used to mock someone's useless efforts or mourning after a critical moment has passed.
అన్నీ అయిన తరువాత అగ్నివైద్యం
anni ayina taruvata agnivaidyam
Administering fire treatment after everything is over.
This expression describes taking drastic or corrective measures after it is already too late to save the situation. It is similar to the English idiom 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or performing a post-mortem instead of providing a cure.
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.
అన్నీ అమర్చిన తరువాత అత్తగారు వేలు పెట్టినట్లు.
anni amarchina taruvata attagaru velu pettinatlu.
Like the mother-in-law sticking her finger in after everything has been arranged.
This expression is used to describe someone who finds unnecessary faults or makes minor, annoying changes to something that is already perfect or complete. It highlights a tendency to interfere or nitpick just to assert authority or feel important, even when no help is needed.
చేసుకున్న తరువాత వండిపెట్టక తప్పతుందా
chesukunna taruvata vandipettaka tappatunda
After getting married, is there any way out of cooking and serving?
This expression is used to signify that once you have committed to a responsibility or entered into a situation of your own choice, you must fulfill the duties that come with it, no matter how difficult or tedious they are. It emphasizes accepting the inevitable consequences of one's decisions.
ముందు ఆకు వేయించుకుంటే, తరువాత ఎప్పుడైనా తినవచ్చు
mundu aku veyinchukunte, taruvata eppudaina tinavachchu
If you get the leaf laid out first, you can eat whenever you want later.
In the context of traditional Indian dining where food is served on a leaf, this expression emphasizes the importance of securing your place or opportunity first. It is used to suggest that one should prioritize claiming a right, seat, or fundamental requirement, after which the actual task can be completed at one's own pace.
మంత్రసాని తనానికి ఒప్పుకున్న తరువాత, ఏది వచ్చినా పట్టాలి.
mantrasani tananiki oppukunna taruvata, edi vachchina pattali.
Once you agree to be a midwife, you must catch whatever comes out.
This proverb emphasizes commitment and responsibility. Once you have voluntarily taken up a task or a profession, you must be prepared to face all the challenges, difficulties, or messy situations that come with it without complaining.