అవ్వాల్సింది అయింది ఆదెమ్మా అంటే, కోక సద్దుకోవే గుబ్బాలమ్మా అన్నదట.

avvalsindi ayindi ademma ante, koka saddukove gubbalamma annadata.

Translation

When someone said 'What had to happen has happened, Ademma', she replied 'Adjust your saree, Gubbalamma'.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a major loss or mistake has already occurred, yet people focus on trivial matters or offer redundant advice. It highlights the irony of worrying about minor appearances or formalities after the core damage is already done.

Related Phrases

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.

" Where are you going to Madam Fate?" asked one " I'll follow you, go on" she replied. The evil results of mixing with bad company.

This proverb is used to describe the inescapability of destiny or bad luck. It suggests that no matter where a person goes to escape their troubles or misfortune, their fate follows them closely. It is often used when someone tries to change their circumstances but encounters the same problems elsewhere.

When the daughter-in-law said 'Mother-in-law, I will give birth to sons', the mother-in-law replied 'Would I ever say no to that, dear?'

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers to do something that is universally beneficial or obviously desirable. It highlights that no one would object to a proposal that brings only positive results or fulfills a common goal. It is often used sarcastically when someone states an obvious intention to do something good as if they are asking for permission.

When asked, 'Where are you going, O widow?', she replied, 'I am coming along with you, let us go.'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an unwanted or persistent problem (or person) follows you no matter where you go or how you try to avoid it. It signifies an inescapable nuisance or a misfortune that sticks to a person regardless of their efforts to escape it.

When told 'The wedding is over,' he replied, 'The anxiety has finally subsided.'

This proverb is used to describe a sense of relief after a major, stressful task or responsibility is completed. It highlights the mental burden one carries until a significant event (like a wedding in the family) is successfully concluded, after which the person can finally find peace of mind.

When asked to come and tell the truth, she said the kitten has given birth to a baby.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives a completely irrelevant, evasive, or nonsensical answer to avoid telling the truth or to dodge a direct question. It highlights the absurdity of the excuse provided.

He said the spinning wheel has arrived, move the cart out of the way.

This proverb is used to mock someone who exaggerates the importance of a small or insignificant object or event. It describes a situation where a person demands a lot of space or attention for something tiny (like a spinning wheel), treating it as if it were a massive vehicle (like a cart).

When asked for a handful of food (alms), she replied, 'Didn't you see my husband?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone gives an irrelevant or evasive answer to a simple request to avoid helping. It mocks the behavior of someone making excuses by pointing to another person (usually a spouse or authority figure) as the reason for their inability or refusal to act.

She said it was finished just the other day

This is a sarcastic expression used to describe someone who is extremely lazy or makes excuses to avoid work. It refers to a folk story where a lazy person claims a task was already completed long ago just to avoid being asked to do it now.

When asked 'Where are you going, widow?', she replied 'I am coming with you, come on'.

This proverb describes a situation where an unwanted or problematic person/problem attaches themselves to you no matter where you go or what you do. It is used to express frustration when one cannot get rid of a nuisance or a streak of bad luck that follows them everywhere.