చేతికి దొరికిన రత్నం నాచుకుపోయినట్లు
chetiki dorikina ratnam nachukupoyinatlu
Like a gem found in the hand getting lost in moss.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a rare or valuable opportunity, which was already within reach, is lost due to carelessness or unfortunate circumstances. It highlights the irony of losing something precious after having already secured it.
Related Phrases
కన్నంలో దొరికిన దొంగ గతి
kannamlo dorikina donga gati
The fate of a thief caught in the hole (of a wall).
This expression describes a situation where someone is caught red-handed or trapped in a hopeless, compromising position with no possibility of escape or denial. It is used when a person's wrongdoing is exposed so clearly that they are left completely helpless and at the mercy of others.
ఆకొన్న సింహానికి ఏనుగు దొరికినట్లు
akonna simhaniki enugu dorikinatlu
Like a hungry lion finding an elephant
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone in desperate need or intense desire suddenly finds a massive, perfect opportunity or a great reward. It implies that a long-awaited solution has appeared at just the right time, providing more than enough to satisfy the need.
మాణిక్యం పోయి, మసిపాత దొరికినట్లు
manikyam poyi, masipata dorikinatlu
Like losing a precious gem and finding a soot-stained rag instead.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone experiences a significant loss and receives something of negligible or no value in its place. It highlights a terrible trade-off or an unfortunate turn of events where something invaluable is replaced by something worthless.
దారిలో దొరికింది ధర్మానికి పోయింది
darilo dorikindi dharmaniki poyindi
What was found on the road was spent on charity
This expression is used to describe money or resources that were acquired easily (without effort) and were subsequently lost or spent just as easily. It conveys the idea of 'Easy come, easy go'—implying that one doesn't feel much regret over losing something they didn't work hard to earn.
దోచుకుపోయినవాడు దొర, దొరికినవాడు దొంగ.
dochukupoyinavadu dora, dorikinavadu donga.
The one who loots and gets away is a lord, the one who gets caught is a thief.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status and justice. It suggests that if a person commits a large-scale crime but manages to escape or hide it, they are often respected as a great person or leader. However, the one who gets caught, even for a minor offense, is branded a criminal. It is used to comment on the hypocrisy of society and the flaw in identifying criminals solely based on their capture.
రెక్కాడితేగాని డొక్కాడని వాడికి రత్నం దొరికితే రాయి అన్నాట్ట.
rekkaditegani dokkadani vadiki ratnam dorikite rayi annatta.
When a man whose belly is filled only if his hands toil finds a diamond, he says it is just a stone.
This expression describes a person who is so consumed by the daily grind and survival that they lack the knowledge or perspective to recognize a great opportunity or a valuable asset when it presents itself. It is used to highlight how poverty or lack of exposure can make someone ignorant of life's bigger fortunes.
నపుంసకుని చేతికి రంభ దొరికినట్లు.
napumsakuni chetiki rambha dorikinatlu.
Like a eunuch getting hold of Rambha.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a valuable resource or a great opportunity is wasted on someone who does not have the capacity, skill, or ability to utilize it. Rambha refers to the celestial beauty from Hindu mythology, symbolizing a prize or opportunity of the highest order.
కోతికి టెంకాయ దొరికినట్లు
kotiki tenkaya dorikinatlu
Like a monkey finding a coconut
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gains possession of something valuable or complex but has no idea how to use, appreciate, or manage it. Just as a monkey cannot crack open a hard coconut to eat the fruit inside, an incompetent or unqualified person cannot benefit from a resource they have acquired.
కోతికి కొబ్బరికాయ దొరికినట్టు.
kotiki kobbarikaya dorikinattu.
Like a monkey with a cocoanut.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone acquires something valuable or complex that they do not know how to use, appreciate, or handle properly. Just as a monkey might struggle to break open a hard coconut despite its value, this refers to an incompetent person mishandling a precious resource.
Cannot use it, but won't give it up. Like the dog in the manger, he will neither do nor let do.
గుమ్మడికాయ దొరికిననాడు తర్పణం వదలినట్లు
gummadikaya dorikinanadu tarpanam vadalinatlu
Like performing an ancestral ritual on the day a pumpkin is found.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely stingy or opportunistic, performing a religious or social obligation only when the necessary materials (in this case, a pumpkin for ritualistic offerings) are obtained for free or by chance, rather than out of genuine devotion or at the proper scheduled time.