చూడగా చూడగా గుర్రము గాడిదె అయింది
chudaga chudaga gurramu gadide ayindi
While looking and looking, the horse became a donkey.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where something that was initially perceived as high quality, valuable, or promising gradually deteriorates or reveals its true, inferior nature over time. It can also refer to a project or task that started with great ambition but ended with a poor or disappointing result due to neglect or poor management.
Related Phrases
పాలే చూడనా భాండాన్ని చూడనా
pale chudana bhandanni chudana
Should I look at the milk or the vessel?
This expression describes a dilemma where one has to choose between preserving the quality of the contents (the goal) and the integrity of the container (the means/tool). It is used when a person is confused between two equally important or conflicting priorities, or when trying to handle a situation where fixing one thing might damage another.
విడిబడితే గుర్రము గాడిదెతో సమానము.
vidibadite gurramu gadideto samanamu.
If a horse gets loose it is like an ass. i. e. it snorts and kicks. Applied to wickedness unrestrained.
This expression highlights the importance of discipline, training, and context. A horse is valued for its grace and speed only when it is controlled and purposeful; once it becomes stray or wild without direction, it loses its distinct value and is seen as no better than a common donkey. It is used to suggest that talent without discipline is wasted.
గాడిద గాడిదే, గుర్రం గుర్రమే
gadida gadide, gurram gurrame
An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.
This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.
చూడగా చూడగా గుర్రము గాడిదె అయినది.
chudaga chudaga gurramu gadide ayinadi.
As he looked and looked the horse turned out a donkey.
This proverb describes a situation where something that initially appeared promising, high-quality, or valuable gradually deteriorated or revealed itself to be mediocre and disappointing. It is often used to criticize a decline in standards, poor maintenance, or the realization that one's high expectations were misplaced.
By close inspection the true state is known.
అవ్వా గుర్రమూ ఒకటి అయినట్టు
avva gurramu okati ayinattu
The grandmother and the horse were one. A man and his grandmother started on a journey, the former riding, the latter on foot ; the grandson rested frequently on the road and eventually only reached his destination just as his grandmother had completed her journey. The tortoise and the hare.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two completely mismatched or incompatible things are forcefully combined, or when someone expects two contradictory results at once. It highlights the impossibility or absurdity of a specific demand or outcome.
బావి లోతు చూడగలం గానీ, మనిషి మనసు లోతు చూడగలమా?
bavi lotu chudagalam gani, manishi manasu lotu chudagalama?
We can see the depth of a well, but can we see the depth of a human mind?
This proverb highlights the complexity and unpredictability of human nature. While physical depths like a well can be measured or observed, it is impossible to truly know or measure what is hidden within a person's heart or thoughts. It is often used to express caution about trusting people's outward appearances or to remark on someone's surprising behavior.
ముందు చూస్తే అయ్యవారి గుర్రముగా ఉన్నది, వెనక చూస్తే సాయెబు గుర్రముగా ఉన్నది.
mundu chuste ayyavari gurramuga unnadi, venaka chuste sayebu gurramuga unnadi.
Looking from the front it seems to be the Brahman's horse, looking from behind it seems to be the Śāhib's. The Kômati's evidence . The words are ambiguous and bear another meaning viz. " Before, this was the Brahman's horse—now, it is the Śāhib's" ( i. e. the Śāhib has taken possession of it ).
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is inconsistent, ambiguous, or lacks a clear identity. It refers to a situation where a single thing presents two completely different or contradictory appearances depending on how one looks at it, often implying deception or a lack of authenticity.
పాలను చూడనా భాండాన్ని చూడనా
palanu chudana bhandanni chudana
Should I look at the milk or the vessel?
This expression is used to describe a dilemma where one must choose between the quality of the content and the appearance of the container. It is often applied to situations where someone is stuck between focusing on the value of a person or object versus their external flaws or surroundings.
చూడగా చూడగా చుట్టం గాడిద అయిందట, మ్రొక్కని దైవము లేదు
chudaga chudaga chuttam gadida ayindata, mrokkani daivamu ledu
Upon constant observation, the relative turned into a donkey; there is no deity left un-worshipped.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has exhausted all possible options or prayers to solve a problem, yet the situation has deteriorated or revealed its true, unpleasant nature. It highlights the irony of putting in immense effort or faith only to be met with a disappointing or absurd outcome.
పాలు చూడనా, భాండాన్ని చూడనా?
palu chudana, bhandanni chudana?
Are we to look at milk or at the pot? The pot is only valued for the milk in it. The jewel is not to be valued for the cabinet.
This expression is used when someone is in a dilemma or a state of confusion between two tasks or priorities, implying that they cannot focus on one thing without worrying about the other. It describes a situation where a person is overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities.