అవ్వా గుర్రమూ ఒకటి అయినట్టు

avva gurramu okati ayinattu

Translation

The grandmother and the horse were one. A man and his grandmother started on a journey, the former riding, the latter on foot ; the grandson rested frequently on the road and eventually only reached his destination just as his grandmother had completed her journey. The tortoise and the hare.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where two completely mismatched or incompatible things are forcefully combined, or when someone expects two contradictory results at once. It highlights the impossibility or absurdity of a specific demand or outcome.

Related Phrases

The disease is one, the medicine is another. i. e. the one is not fitted to remove the other. Said of unsuitable remedies.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the solution provided does not match the problem at hand, or when actions taken are completely irrelevant to the actual issue. It highlights a lack of coordination or understanding in addressing a specific challenge.

An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.

This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.

Going to Benares is one thing; bringing back a Kāvadi ( of Ganges water ) is another. Two great things to be done. Applied to keeping one great object in view.

This proverb is used to describe a long, arduous process or a project that involves two distinct, equally difficult stages. It implies that completing the first half of a journey or task is not enough; the return or the follow-through is just as critical and challenging. It emphasizes persistence and completeness in any undertaking.

Will the plant differ from the seed ?

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It implies that every action has a corresponding consequence and that one cannot expect good results from bad actions or vice-versa. It is used to remind someone that their current situation is a direct result of their past deeds or character.

A chip of the old block. He that was born of a hen loves to be scratching. (French.)† * Après la fête on gratte la tête. † Qui naît de geline il aime à grater.

As he looked and looked the horse turned out a donkey.

This proverb describes a situation where something that initially appeared promising, high-quality, or valuable gradually deteriorated or revealed itself to be mediocre and disappointing. It is often used to criticize a decline in standards, poor maintenance, or the realization that one's high expectations were misplaced.

By close inspection the true state is known.

Horse behaves (runs) to suit (the ability of) the rider.

The worker in any setup works as directed/controlled by the master. If the master/manager is incompetent/lenient, there will be no discipline and the entire setup will be disorganized.

Like putting the bridle on the horse's tail. To put the cart before the horse.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is doing something in a completely wrong, backward, or illogical manner. Just as a bridle belongs on a horse's head to control it, putting it on the tail is useless and absurd. It highlights fundamental errors in planning or execution.

In addition to the horse's death, a fanam [ must be paid ] for digging a pit [ to bury it in ]. Loss upon loss. After one loss come many. (French.)

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one suffers a primary loss and is then forced to incur further expenses or troubles because of that loss. It is similar to the expression 'adding insult to injury' or 'to pour salt on a wound.'

While looking and looking, the horse became a donkey.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where something that was initially perceived as high quality, valuable, or promising gradually deteriorates or reveals its true, inferior nature over time. It can also refer to a project or task that started with great ambition but ended with a poor or disappointing result due to neglect or poor management.

A snake is the same whether small or big.

This expression is used to signify that danger or an enemy should not be underestimated based on size or scale. Just as a small snake's venom can be as lethal as a large one's, a problem or opponent remains dangerous regardless of their stature.