చవి ఎరిగిన కుక్క చావగొట్టినా పోదు

chavi erigina kukka chavagottina podu

Translation

A dog attached [to his master] will not leave him though he be beaten [almost] to death.

Meaning

This proverb describes a person who has experienced a certain benefit, habit, or pleasure and refuses to give it up despite facing harsh consequences, insults, or punishment. It is often used to refer to someone who repeatedly returns to a place or situation where they once found profit or enjoyment, regardless of the risks involved.

Related Phrases

A dog used to being fed waited at the riverbank.

This proverb is used to describe a person who, having once enjoyed a benefit or easy gain at a certain place or from a certain task, keeps returning there or waiting expectantly for it to happen again. It highlights the tendency of people (or animals) to become habitual or persistent when they anticipate a reward based on past experience.

The reputation gained will not leave even after death

This expression emphasizes that once a person earns a certain reputation—whether good or bad—it stays with them for life and remains even after they pass away. It is often used to remind someone that their actions have long-lasting consequences on their legacy.

Death does not come even if the writing (fate) is pierced.

This expression is used to describe someone who is incredibly lucky or has survived a life-threatening situation against all odds. It implies that unless it is one's destined time to die, no amount of danger or misfortune can end their life.

A dog used to being fed died due to starvation.

This proverb describes a person who becomes so dependent on easy gains or others' generosity that they lose the ability to work or fend for themselves. When the easy support stops, they suffer or perish because they haven't cultivated self-reliance. It is used to warn against the dangers of being pampered or overly dependent on handouts.

The sin of killing a dog cannot be expiated even by building a temple.

This expression is used to emphasize that certain misdeeds or cruel acts are so grave that no amount of subsequent good deeds, charity, or religious penance can atone for them. It highlights that the consequences of a fundamental wrong cannot be easily erased by superficial acts of virtue.

He would neither die nor give up his bed.

This expression is used to describe a situation or a person that is stuck in a state of limbo, causing prolonged distress or inconvenience to others. It refers to a problem that doesn't get resolved but continues to linger, or a person who occupies a position without being productive, preventing others from taking over.

When the dog which had eaten [ the food ] ran off, he caught hold of another dog and broke its leg. Making the innocent suffer for the guilty.

This proverb describes a situation where the actual culprit escapes, and an innocent person who happens to be nearby is punished for the crime. It is used to highlight injustice or a lapse in judgement where the wrong person is held accountable for someone else's mistake.

Worn-out bronze and fermented (spoiled) rasam.

This expression is used to describe things that are either useless or highly unpleasant. 'Worn-out bronze' refers to an object that has lost its value or function through overuse, while 'fermented rasam' refers to something that was once good but has now turned foul or toxic. It is often used to criticize poor quality or the bad state of affairs.

A dog that has tasted something delicious will not leave even if beaten to death.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has experienced a certain pleasure, profit, or benefit and refuses to give it up or leave the source, despite facing hardships, insults, or punishments. It highlights how difficult it is to break a habit or detach someone from a lucrative situation once they have experienced its taste.

A dog that has tasted (something delicious) will not leave even if beaten to death.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who has experienced a particular pleasure, benefit, or profit will persist in seeking it despite facing hardships, punishments, or obstacles. It is often used to refer to people with stubborn habits or those who keep returning to a place where they found success or enjoyment.