ఆసుకోలా ఆనుకోలా అంటే పరుగుతీ నావెంటరా అందిట
asukola anukola ante paruguti naventara andita
When asked whether to support or to lean on, it said 'Run and follow me'
This proverb describes a situation where someone asks for a small favor or simple assistance, but the other person responds by demanding a much larger effort or posing an even bigger problem. It is used when a solution offered is far more exhausting or complicated than the original issue.
Related Phrases
హడావుడేంటే కుక్క అంటే ఊళ్ళో పెళ్ళే నక్క అందిట
hadavudente kukka ante ullo pelle nakka andita
When the dog asked 'why are you in such a rush?', the fox replied 'there is a wedding in the village'.
This proverb is used to mock someone who is unnecessarily excited or busy with something that has nothing to do with them or from which they will gain no benefit. Just as a fox has no role or invitation to a human wedding, the person is involving themselves in affairs where they are neither needed nor welcome.
కోల ఆడితే, కోతి ఆడును.
kola adite, koti adunu.
If you shake the stick the monkey will dance.
This proverb highlights that discipline, fear, or external motivation is often necessary to get work done. It is used to describe situations where someone only performs their duties or behaves well because of strict supervision or the threat of consequences, much like a monkey performing only when its trainer moves the stick.
It is the raised stick that makes the dog obey. ( Danish. )* * Holder man el Kleppen til, agter Hunden intet Bud.
అంబటి ఏరు వచ్చింది అత్తగారూ అంటే, కొలబుట్టి నా చేతిలోనే ఉన్నది కోడలా అన్నదట.
ambati eru vachchindi attagaru ante, kolabutti na chetilone unnadi kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said 'A flood of porridge has arrived, mother-in-law!', the mother-in-law replied 'The measuring basket is still in my hand, daughter-in-law.'
This proverb highlights excessive control, stinginess, or a refusal to let go of authority even when there is an abundance of resources. It describes a situation where a person in power insists on rationing or strictly controlling something even when it is available in plenty, or simply asserts their dominance for the sake of it.
కోటి విద్యలు నేర్చినా, కూటి కొరకే
koti vidyalu nerchina, kuti korake
Even if you learn ten million arts, it is all for food.
This expression emphasizes that no matter how highly educated or skilled a person is, the primary motivation and end goal of most human endeavors is to earn a livelihood and satisfy basic needs like food. It is used to highlight the practicality of survival over mere intellectual or artistic pursuits.
వెట్టిగదరా పోలా అంటే, యేడవక తీరదే అయ్యా అన్నాడట.
vettigadara pola ante, yedavaka tirade ayya annadata.
When one said " O Pôla! is it not work without pay ?" he replied " Alas! Sir, there is no way to get out of it." Said of any disagreeable duty, which must be performed without remuneration. To have nothing but one's labour for one's pains. Like the tailor who sewed for nothing and found thread himself. Better sit idle than work for nought.
This expression describes a situation where someone is forced to do a difficult or unrewarding task against their will. It highlights the helplessness of an individual who must comply with an order even when they are miserable doing it. It is used to mock or point out a situation where work is done out of pure obligation without any joy or benefit.
గుడ్డివాడు కోల కోల్పోయినట్లు
guddivadu kola kolpoyinatlu
Like a blind man losing his walking stick.
This expression describes a situation where a person loses their only source of support or guidance. It is used when someone is rendered completely helpless or becomes directionless after losing a critical tool, person, or resource they relied upon entirely.
పులిని కోల వేసినట్లు
pulini kola vesinatlu
Like poking a tiger with a stick
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unnecessarily provokes or irritates a powerful, dangerous, or short-tempered person, thereby inviting trouble or a violent reaction. It highlights the foolishness of instigating someone who is already capable of causing significant harm.
సింగారించుకున్నావేమే చిన్నదానా అంటే చలిగా ఉందిరా పులి మావ అందిట
singarinchukunnaveme chinnadana ante chaliga undira puli mava andita
When asked, 'Why have you dressed up so beautifully, young girl?', she replied, 'It's cold, Tiger uncle.'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives a completely irrelevant or evasive answer to a direct question, usually to hide their true intentions or because they were caught doing something they shouldn't be doing.
అగడపలు వేసినవి అత్తగారా అంటే, కొలబుర్ర నా చేతిలోనే ఉన్నది కోడలా అన్నదట.
agadapalu vesinavi attagara ante, kolaburra na chetilone unnadi kodala annadata.
"See! The signs of rain appear!" cried the daughter-in-law "What of that?" said the mother-in-law "I have the measure." (See, Nos. 19, 155.)
This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to hide their lack of progress or authority by asserting that they still hold the means of control. It is used to point out someone who is being evasive, lazy, or trying to maintain power without actually completing the task at hand.
దూల పెట్టేచోట దుడ్డుకోల పెట్టినట్లు
dula pettechota duddukola pettinatlu
Like placing a heavy wooden staff where it itches.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone receives a punishment or a harsh consequence that they practically invited upon themselves through their mischievous or annoying behavior. It implies that a person's 'itch' for trouble was cured by a 'heavy blow' of reality or discipline.