దండులో గుండు పడితే ఎవని పెళ్లాం ముండ మోస్తుందో
dandulo gundu padite evani pellam munda mostundo
If a cannonball falls into the army, no one knows whose wife will become a widow.
This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme chaos, unpredictability, or collective danger where the specific victim cannot be determined beforehand. It highlights that when a disaster strikes a group, anyone could be affected randomly.
Related Phrases
గుడ్డివాడి చేతి నూలు కదుట్లో పడుతుందో దిండులో పడుతుందో.
guddivadi cheti nulu kadutlo padutundo dindulo padutundo.
Whether the thread in a blind man's hand falls on the spindle or on the pillow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the outcome is purely a matter of chance or luck rather than skill or certainty. It refers to an unpredictable result where one cannot be sure if an effort will hit the target or miss it completely.
ఎండబడితే ఉండబడుతుంది, ఉండబడితే వండబడుతుంది, వండబడితే తిండి పడుతుంది, తిండిబడితే పండపడుతుంది
endabadite undabadutundi, undabadite vandabadutundi, vandabadite tindi padutundi, tindibadite pandapadutundi
If there is sunlight there is life, if there is life there is cooking, if there is cooking there is food, and if there is food there is sleep.
This traditional proverb highlights the interconnectedness of nature and human survival. It emphasizes that the sun is the primary source of life (agriculture/sustenance), which leads to domestic stability, the ability to prepare meals, nourishment, and ultimately, the comfort of rest. It is used to describe the natural order of life and the importance of favorable conditions for prosperity.
శని పడితే ఏడేళ్ళు, నేను పడితే పద్నాలుగేళ్ళు
shani padite edellu, nenu padite padnalugellu
If Shani (Saturn) catches you, it's seven years; if I catch you, it's fourteen years.
This expression is used to describe someone who is far more troublesome, persistent, or harmful than even the dreaded astrological period of Shani (Sade Sati). It is often said by a person asserting their dominance or capability to cause long-lasting trouble, or to describe a person who never lets go once they start bothering someone.
ముసలివానికి ముండ ముద్దు
musalivaniki munda muddu
An old man is fond of a young widow
This proverb describes a situation where an elderly person becomes overly attached to or obsessed with someone or something unsuitable or inappropriate for their age. It is often used to criticize elderly men who pursue younger women, or more broadly, to point out the irony of developing new, intense cravings at a late stage in life when they should be focused on other matters.
ఏటు ముందా ఏకాదశి ముందా?
etu munda ekadashi munda?
Which comes first, the blow or the Ekadashi fast?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is already suffering from one problem and is suddenly hit with another. It specifically refers to being caught between a physical hardship (the blow) and a religious or self-imposed hardship (the fast). It is used when someone is overwhelmed by consecutive or simultaneous troubles.
కుక్క బలిస్తే గోనెలు మోస్తుందా?
kukka baliste gonelu mostunda?
If a dog gets fat, will it carry gunny sacks?
This proverb is used to say that a person's inherent nature or capabilities do not change just because they gain wealth, power, or physical size. Just as a dog, no matter how strong or well-fed, cannot perform the labor of a donkey or an ox, some people are simply not suited for certain responsibilities regardless of their outward growth.
చెట్టు ముందా విత్తు ముందా అన్నట్లు
chettu munda vittu munda annatlu
Like asking whether the tree came first or the seed first.
This expression is used to describe a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma or a circular argument where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened or existed first. It is often applied to situations involving infinite regress or complex causal loops.
ఎందులో పుట్టిన పురుగు, అందులోనే చస్తుంది.
endulo puttina purugu, andulone chastundi.
The insect dies in the same place where it was born.
This expression is used to describe a person who is deeply attached to their place of origin, a specific habit, or a particular situation and remains there until the very end, despite better opportunities or the need for change. It signifies that one eventually perishes in the environment or lifestyle they are accustomed to.
సుత్తె ముందా? కారు ముందా?
sutte munda? karu munda?
Was the hammer first, or were the tongs ?
This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme confusion, circular logic, or a 'chicken and egg' dilemma. It refers to the irony that a blacksmith needs a hammer to make pincers, but needs pincers to hold the metal to make a hammer. It is often used to mock someone who is confused about the order of operations or stuck in a paradox.
లగ్గం ముందా పల్లకి ముందా అన్నాట్ట
laggam munda pallaki munda annatta
Did the auspicious wedding time come first, or did the palanquin arrive first?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is caught up in trivial or logistical details (like the arrival of a transport palanquin) while overlooking the primary, essential event (the wedding timing itself). It refers to poor prioritization or unnecessary confusion regarding the order of events.