బుట్టలో పామువలె
buttalo pamuvale
Like a snake in a basket
This expression is used to describe a person who is feeling trapped, suppressed, or constrained by their circumstances. It signifies a state of being confined in a small space or situation where one lacks freedom of movement or action, yet remains potentially dangerous or restless.
Related Phrases
కోతి చేతి పామువలె
koti cheti pamuvale
Like a snake in a monkey's paw. Jacko is afraid of it, but won't let it go.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is fickle, irresponsible, or lacks judgment is given control over something dangerous or sensitive. Just as a monkey doesn't know how to handle a snake safely—either hurting itself, the snake, or others by swinging it around—giving power or a delicate task to an incompetent person leads to unpredictable and harmful consequences.
తంతె గరెల బుట్టలొ పడ్డట్టు
tante garela buttalo paddattu
A kick landed one in a basket of garelu (cookies)
When some harm is intended to be inflicted on a person, sometimes the person gets benefited by that. Occasionally, evil intentions and actions of others may turn out to be beneficial.
మట్టి తిన్న పాములా ఉన్నాడు
matti tinna pamula unnadu
He is like a snake which has eaten earth. In a stupid state. The Hindus say that snakes sometimes eat earth, when in want of food.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely sluggish, inactive, or lying motionless. It is often applied to people who are lazy or those who are resting heavily after overeating, based on the folk belief that a snake becomes immobile after consuming soil.
మన్ను తిన్న పాములా
mannu tinna pamula
Like a snake that has eaten soil
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely lethargic, motionless, or silent. It originates from the observation that a snake becomes slow and inactive after consuming a heavy meal (metaphorically referred to as soil), and it is often applied to people who are unresponsive or dull in a particular situation.
మట్టి తిన్న పామువలె ఉన్నాడు
matti tinna pamuvale unnadu
He is like a snake that has eaten mud.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely sluggish, lazy, or motionless. It refers to the belief that a snake becomes slow and inactive after consuming soil/prey, and is used to mock someone's lack of energy or activity.
దూడ కుడిచినట్టా? దుత్తలో పడ్డట్టా?
duda kudichinatta? duttalo paddatta?
Is it that the calf has sucked, or that [ the milk ] has fallen into the pail? In either way beneficial.
This expression is used to question where a resource or money went when there is nothing to show for it. It highlights a situation where something has been consumed or spent, but the result is neither productive (like a calf growing) nor preserved (like milk stored in a pot). It is typically used when someone is unaccountable for losses or missing items.
బుట్టలో పాము వలె అణిగినాడు
buttalo pamu vale aniginadu
He sank down like a snake in a basket. i. e. his pride was humbled. A snake charmer's covered basket is here referred to.
This expression is used to describe someone who has become quiet, submissive, or suppressed, especially after being very aggressive or defiant previously. Just as a snake becomes still and contained when trapped in a charmer's basket, it refers to a person losing their sting or being forced into obedience.
సూదివలె వచ్చి దబ్బనమువలె తేలినట్టు
sudivale vachchi dabbanamuvale telinattu
Coming like a needle and turning out a packing needle. The reverse of No. 688 q. v.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something starts very small, modest, or harmless (like a tiny needle) but eventually grows into something large, intrusive, or problematic (like a thick bodkin/large needle). It is often used to refer to people who enter one's life humbly but end up becoming a major burden or dominating the space.
తట్టలో కాపురం బుట్టలోకి వచ్చె, బుట్టలో కాపురం బూడిదలో కలిసె.
tattalo kapuram buttaloki vachche, buttalo kapuram budidalo kalise.
Living in a flat basket moved to a deep basket, and living in a deep basket ended up in the ashes.
This proverb describes a gradual but certain downfall or the loss of one's livelihood and stability. It illustrates a step-by-step decline in prosperity where a person's situation goes from bad to worse, eventually ending in total ruin or nothingness (ashes). It is used to caution against mismanagement or to describe the unfortunate decay of a family's wealth.
బురదగుంటలో పందివలె
buradaguntalo pandivale
Like a pig in a mud pit
This expression is used to describe someone who is deeply wallowing in a bad situation, laziness, or a messy environment with no intention of improving or leaving. It signifies being comfortably stuck in filth or a degraded state.