చిలుము వదిలితే, ఛిద్రం వదులుతుంది.
chilumu vadilite, chhidram vadulutundi.
When the "tin" goes, household broils disappear. Chilumu is properly rust on other metals than iron; it is a slang term for money.
This expression suggests that getting rid of a minor nuisance or bad habit (rust) might lead to losing the entire object (the hole/the structure) or that resolving a small initial problem might inadvertently expose or solve a deeper flaw. It is often used to imply that some flaws are so integrated into a situation that trying to fix them might change the situation entirely.
Related Phrases
చిలుం పట్టలేనివాడికి చిత్తం కుదరదు
chilum pattalenivadiki chittam kudaradu
For one who cannot hold the pipe, the mind does not settle.
This expression refers to those who are addicted to smoking or specific habits, suggesting that until they satisfy their craving, they cannot focus or find peace of mind. In a broader sense, it describes how a person's concentration is often dependent on fulfilling their basic comforts or addictions.
కాకి తన్నిందంటే పేగు కదులుతుంది
kaki tannindante pegu kadulutundi
If a crow kicks, the intestines will move.
This expression is used to mock someone who is being overly dramatic or exaggerating a minor event. It suggests that the person is pretending a tiny, insignificant action (like a kick from a small bird) has caused them deep internal injury or significant distress.
పేదవాడి పెళ్ళాం ఊరికంతా వదిన
pedavadi pellam urikanta vadina
A poor man's wife is a sister-in-law to the whole village.
This proverb highlights how people tend to take liberties with those who lack social or financial standing. Just as a 'Vadina' (sister-in-law) is someone one can joke with or command in a traditional family, a poor person's family is often treated with a lack of respect or boundaries by everyone in society because they lack the power to protest.
తేర్లు వదిలితే జీడలు వదులుతాయి
terlu vadilite jidalu vadulutayi
If the chariots move, the sticky residue will release.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a major obstacle or a central problem needs to be resolved first for smaller, nagging issues to disappear. Just as the sticky juice (jeeda) from marking nuts or trees is cleared away when a heavy chariot (teru) starts moving through the path, larger actions often clear away minor complications automatically.
చీమలు పెట్టిన పుట్టలు పాములకి నివాసాలైనట్లు
chimalu pettina puttalu pamulaki nivasalainatlu
Just as the anthills built by ants become homes for snakes.
This proverb refers to how one person's hard work might end up being enjoyed or taken over by someone else who did not contribute. It is used to describe situations where the creator of a resource doesn't get to use it.
శివ శివ అన్న నోటితో ఛీ ఛీ అన్నాడట
shiva shiva anna notito chhi chhi annadata
He said 'fie fie' with the same mouth that once said 'Shiva Shiva'
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves inconsistently or hypocritically. It refers to someone who used to speak holy or kind words (Shiva Shiva) but has now resorted to using foul, disrespectful, or vulgar language (Chiee Chiee). It highlights a drastic fall in character or a change in attitude from noble to ignoble.
ఛిద్రమునకు చీరపేలు, దరిద్రమునకు తలపేలు.
chhidramunaku chirapelu, daridramunaku talapelu.
A louse in the clothes is a sign of coming household broils, a louse in the head is a sign of coming poverty.
This proverb describes how misfortunes often come in clusters. Just as lice are found in the rags of the poor or in dirty hair, problems tend to multiply when a person is already in a vulnerable or difficult situation. It is used to express that 'troubles never come alone' or to describe the compounding effects of bad luck.
* Peccato confessato à mezzo perdonato.
తీగ కదిలిస్తే పొదంతా కదులుతుంది
tiga kadiliste podanta kadulutundi
If you pull a vine, the whole bush shakes
This expression refers to situations where a small action or a single point of inquiry reveals a much larger, interconnected network or complex problem. It is often used in contexts like investigations where pulling on one lead exposes everyone involved in a conspiracy or a large group of people.
నరం వంటి వాడికి జ్వరం వస్తే, చేయి జూచినవాడు బ్రతుకడు
naram vanti vadiki jvaram vaste, cheyi juchinavadu bratukadu
If a man made of nerves gets a fever, the one who checks his pulse will not survive.
This expression is used to describe an extremely irritable, short-tempered, or hypersensitive person. It implies that the person is so volatile that even a minor provocation (fever) would cause them to lash out so fiercely that anyone trying to help or interact with them (checking the pulse) would be in danger.
తగిలిన కాలే తగులుతుంది.
tagilina kale tagulutundi.
A wounded foot is always striking against something.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where misfortunes or problems seem to follow a person who is already in trouble. It is similar to the English expression 'misfortunes never come singly' or 'when it rains, it pours.' It highlights how vulnerable points are often the ones that suffer repeated setbacks.