చెట్టుమీది విరులైనా చేతుల గోయకరావు
chettumidi virulaina chetula goyakaravu
Even the flowers on a tree will not come to you unless you pluck them with your hands.
This proverb emphasizes the necessity of effort and action. Even if something is readily available or seemingly within reach (like flowers on a tree), one must still take the initiative to go and get it. It is used to remind someone that success requires work and won't just fall into their lap.
Related Phrases
విత్తుముందా చెట్టుముందా?
vittumunda chettumunda?
Is the seed first or the tree first?
This is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Chicken or the egg' paradox. It is used to describe a circular argument or a situation where it is impossible to determine which of two interacting things is the cause of the other.
ఎరువుల సొమ్ము బరువుల చేటు, తీయ పెట్ట తీపుల చేటు, అందులో ఒకటి పోతే అప్పుల చేటు
eruvula sommu baruvula chetu, tiya petta tipula chetu, andulo okati pote appula chetu
Borrowed wealth is a burden, eating sweets brings harm, and if any of it is lost, it leads to debt.
This proverb warns about the dangers of borrowing and the consequences of careless living. It highlights that borrowed money or items are never truly yours and create a psychological or financial burden. Similarly, overindulgence (sweets) leads to health issues. Ultimately, it emphasizes that if borrowed assets are lost or wasted, it results in a cycle of debt and ruin.
ఉత్త చేతులతో మూరవేసినట్టు
utta chetulato muravesinattu
Like measuring a cubit with empty hands.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes grand plans or claims without having any resources, foundation, or substance. It refers to the futility of trying to measure something (like cloth or space) when you have nothing to measure or nothing to measure it with, symbolizing empty talk or baseless actions.
చెట్టెక్కి చేతులు విడిచినట్లు
chettekki chetulu vidichinatlu
Like climbing a tree and then letting go with the hands.
This expression describes a situation where someone abandons a task or withdraws support at a critical stage after taking a significant risk or putting in initial effort. It refers to someone who leaves others in a vulnerable or dangerous position without warning, or sabotages their own success at the final moment.
ములగచెట్టుమీద కాకి గూటివలె
mulagachettumida kaki gutivale
Like a crow's nest on a drumstick tree.
This expression refers to something that is extremely fragile, unstable, or easily destroyed. The drumstick tree (Moringa) is known for its brittle branches that break easily, making a nest built on it very insecure. It is used to describe a precarious situation or a weak foundation.
ఎరవుల సొమ్ములు బరువుల చేటు, తియ్యను పెట్టను తీపుల చేటు, దానిలో ఒకటిపోతే అప్పలచేటు.
eravula sommulu baruvula chetu, tiyyanu pettanu tipula chetu, danilo okatipote appalachetu.
Borrowed ornaments are a burden; putting them on and taking them off is a hassle; if one is lost, it results in debt.
This proverb warns against the risks and hassles of borrowing items (especially jewelry or valuables) from others. It implies that borrowed luxury brings more anxiety than joy, as one must constantly guard them, and any loss leads to financial ruin or long-term debt to repay the lender.
చెట్టుమీదనుండి పడ్డవానికి గాయాలెన్నేమిటి?
chettumidanundi paddavaniki gayalennemiti?
Why count the injuries of a man who fell from a tree?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is already in a state of utter ruin or massive loss, making smaller additional losses or specific details of the damage irrelevant. It suggests that when a catastrophic event occurs, worrying about minor consequences is pointless.
చెట్టు పట్టించి చేతులు వదిలినట్లు
chettu pattinchi chetulu vadilinatlu
Like making someone climb a tree and then letting go of the support.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone encourages or forces another person to take on a difficult or risky task and then abandons them without any support when they need it most. It signifies betrayal or leaving someone in the lurch after getting them involved.
చెట్టు మీద వాడు జుట్టు మీదకి ఎక్కాడు
chettu mida vadu juttu midaki ekkadu
The person on the tree climbed onto the hair.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was originally given a small amount of support or a subordinate position begins to dominate, harass, or take undue advantage of their benefactor. It is similar to the English saying 'give them an inch and they'll take a mile.'
చెట్టుమీదిది చేతికి వచ్చినట్లేగాని, ఇక తొమ్మిదయితే పది అవుతాయి.
chettumididi chetiki vachchinatlegani, ika tommidayite padi avutayi.
The fruit on the tree is as good as being in hand; it's just that nine more are needed to make it ten.
This expression is used to mock someone who is overly optimistic or delusional about a task that is barely started. It describes a situation where a person treats a distant or unachieved goal as if it is already accomplished, while in reality, a significant amount of effort or many more steps are still required.