దాన్ని నమ్ముకుని ధర్మవరం పోతే, అదిపోయి బుక్కపట్టణం చేరిందట.

danni nammukuni dharmavaram pote, adipoyi bukkapattanam cherindata.

Translation

Believing in it, I went to Dharmavaram, but it ended up in Bukkapatnam.

Meaning

This expression describes a situation where relying on something or someone unreliable leads to complete failure or an unintended destination. It is used when a plan backfires or a resource fails to deliver the expected result, leaving the person stranded or worse off than before.

Related Phrases

When one went to do a righteous deed, a misfortune wrapped around them.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to do a good deed or help others, but instead of receiving gratitude or success, they end up getting into trouble or facing negative consequences themselves.

Like going to a village fair relying on a paramour

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone relies on an unreliable or untrustworthy person for support, only to be abandoned when they are needed most. It highlights the foolishness of trusting someone who has no real commitment to you, leading to inevitable disappointment and helplessness in a public or critical situation.

Like being told to go to Chennai after being ruined.

This proverb suggests that when a person loses everything or fails in their hometown, they head to a big city (historically Chennai/Madras for Telugus) to start over or find new opportunities. It is used to describe a situation where someone seeks a fresh start in a distant place after a setback.

A woman addicted to comforts even sold her husband to sustain her lifestyle.

This proverb is used to criticize people who are so addicted to luxury, laziness, or easy comforts that they are willing to lose or sacrifice their most valuable assets, relationships, or long-term security just to satisfy their immediate cravings.

When a boy was born by the virtue of a dancer, the anklets were found by the virtue of a silver-smith.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's hard work or merit results in a success, but another person tries to take the credit for the associated benefits or accessories. It highlights the irony of misplaced gratitude or credit-seeking.

When one went to do a good deed, bad fate/karma coiled around them.

This expression is used when someone tries to help others or do something virtuous, but ends up facing unexpected trouble or negative consequences as a result of their kindness. It is similar to the English saying, 'No good deed goes unpunished.'

One should not trust a hand-rolled cigar (chutta) or a woman.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb expressing a historical bias. It suggests that a leaf-cigar is unreliable because it can extinguish or burn unevenly at any moment, and metaphorically claims that a woman's mind is unpredictable or untrustworthy. It is used to caution someone against relying on things or people perceived as fickle.

One who trusts his mother and one who trusts the earth (land) will never be ruined.

This proverb highlights the reliability of two foundational elements: one's mother and the earth. It suggests that a mother's guidance and love are selfless and protective, while agriculture (or staying rooted to the land) provides a sustainable livelihood. Those who remain loyal to their roots and respect these life-givers will always prosper and never face ultimate downfall.

She entered her brother-in-law's bed just because a lizard chirped.

This proverb is used to describe people who use silly superstitions or trivial excuses as a justification to do something they already intended or desired to do. It mocks those who pretend that an omen forced their hand when they were actually looking for any small reason to act on their hidden motives.

While she spent Monday on her beauty, her husband passed away on Sunday.

This proverb describes someone who is completely disconnected from reality or lacks a sense of priority. It is used to mock people who focus on trivial matters (like grooming) while ignoring a major crisis or significant event that has already occurred.