అటునుంచి నరుక్కురమ్మన్నారు
atununchi narukkurammannaru
They said to start chopping from the other end.
This expression is used when someone is advised to tackle a problem or complete a task by starting from the end and working backward to the beginning, or to approach a complex situation from the simplest or most peripheral parts first to reach the core. It is often used in the context of strategy or logical problem-solving.
Related Phrases
జారితే పడమన్నారు కానీ, జరిగితే పడమన్నారా?
jarite padamannaru kani, jarigite padamannara?
They said to fall if you slip, but did they say to fall if you move?
This expression is used to mock someone who makes excuses for their failures or mistakes. It highlights the difference between an accidental mishap (slipping) and a deliberate or avoidable action (moving/shifting), suggesting that while some mistakes are inevitable, one shouldn't intentionally fail or blame circumstances for their own lack of effort.
ఉపాయము లేనివాణ్ణి ఊళ్ళోనుంచి వెళ్ళగొట్టమన్నారు.
upayamu lenivanni ullonunchi vellagottamannaru.
They said to drive the person without resourcefulness out of the village.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of intelligence and resourcefulness (upayamu) in society. It suggests that a person who lacks the wit to solve problems or contribute effectively is a burden to the community, highlighting that brains are often more valued than brawn or mere presence.
నారే నరునకు రత్నము
nare narunaku ratnamu
A woman is a gem to a man
This expression highlights the importance and value of a woman in a man's life, suggesting that she is the most precious asset or companion he can have, similar to a jewel.
ఏమయ్యా మావారు బాగున్నారా అంటే అమ్మా బాగానే ఉన్నారు, విత్తనాలు, వడ్లు తింటున్నారు. దాపుడు బట్టలు కడుతున్నారు అన్నాడట.
emayya mavaru bagunnara ante amma bagane unnaru, vittanalu, vadlu tintunnaru. dapudu battalu kadutunnaru annadata.
When a woman asked, 'Sir, is my husband doing well?', the man replied, 'Yes mother, he is doing well; he is eating the seeds and grains meant for sowing, and he is wearing the funeral clothes.'
This satirical proverb describes a situation where someone is outwardly claimed to be 'doing well' while actually being in a state of utter ruin or misery. It is used to mock people who try to paint a positive picture of a disastrous situation, or to describe someone who is surviving by consuming their future resources (seeds) and dignity (funeral clothes).
రమ్మన్నారే తిమ్మన్న బంతికి అన్నట్లు
rammannare timmanna bantiki annatlu
Like saying 'I was invited to Thimmanna's feast'
This expression is used to describe a person who behaves with excessive entitlement or self-importance at an event just because they were invited. It highlights the irony of someone acting like they are the guest of honor or the owner of the place when they are just one of many invitees.
సాగితే సాగించుకోమన్నారు, జారితే పడమన్నారు.
sagite saginchukomannaru, jarite padamannaru.
If it stretches, they say to stretch it; if it slips, they say to fall.
This expression refers to fair-weather friends or opportunistic people who do not offer genuine help. It describes a situation where people encourage you as long as things are going well (keep stretching), but as soon as you stumble or face a setback (slip), they indifferently tell you to just fall down instead of helping you up.
తిరునాళ్ళకు పోతూ తీసి పొమ్మన్నారు, పెండ్లికిపోతూ పెట్టుకో పొమ్మన్నారు
tirunallaku potu tisi pommannaru, pendlikipotu pettuko pommannaru
While going to the village fair, they said to take it off; while going to a wedding, they said to put it on.
This proverb describes a situation where a person is given contradictory advice or where things are handled based on the specific context and necessity. It highlights the irony or the double standards in instructions given by others depending on the occasion—encouraging modesty or safety in crowds (fair) and display of wealth at celebrations (wedding).
అటునుంచి ఇటు నరుక్కు రమ్మన్నారు!
atununchi itu narukku rammannaru!
They asked to chop from there to here!
This expression is used to describe a strategy where one starts solving a complex problem from the end or the edges towards the beginning. It can also refer to someone taking a long, roundabout way to tell a story or complete a task instead of being direct.
పట్టుకొమ్మను నరుకుకొన్నట్లు
pattukommanu narukukonnatlu
Like cutting the very branch you are holding onto
This expression is used to describe a self-destructive action where a person undermines or destroys their own source of support, security, or livelihood. It refers to someone who, out of foolishness or short-sightedness, harms the person or entity they rely on most.
చూచి రమ్మంటే కాల్చి వచ్చినట్టు
chuchi rammante kalchi vachchinattu
Asked to go and see, but came back after burning it down
This expression is used when someone exceeds their instructions or limits in a way that causes significant damage or unexpected consequences. It originates from the Ramayana, where Hanuman was sent to find Sita but ended up burning Lanka. In modern usage, it describes someone who does much more than asked, often resulting in overkill or unnecessary destruction.