దేవుడి పట్టుకంటే దయ్యపు పట్టు ఎక్కువ
devudi pattukante dayyapu pattu ekkuva
The grip of a ghost is stronger than the grip of God
This expression is used to describe a situation where evil influences, bad habits, or negative forces seem to have a more persistent and stubborn hold on a person or a situation than positive ones. It highlights how difficult it is to get rid of something harmful once it takes hold.
Related Phrases
దేవుడని మొక్కితే దయ్యమై పట్టుకున్నట్టు
devudani mokkite dayyamai pattukunnattu
Like praying to someone as a God, only for them to possess you like a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone seeks help or protection from a person or entity, but instead of receiving help, that person becomes a source of trouble or harassment. It reflects the irony of a perceived savior becoming a tormentor.
పండని ఏడు పాటు ఎక్కువ.
pandani edu patu ekkuva.
In a year where crops don't grow, the labor is even greater.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where, despite putting in an immense amount of effort, there are no results or rewards. It highlights that failing or unproductive tasks often feel more exhausting and burdensome than successful ones because the hardship is not mitigated by a positive outcome.
భల్లూకపు పట్టు
bhallukapu pattu
A bear's hug. Obstinacy.
This expression refers to an uncompromising, stubborn, or relentless hold on something. Just as a bear is known for its powerful and unbreakable grip, this phrase is used to describe a person who refuses to let go of an idea, a task, or an argument once they have committed to it.
ఏది పట్టినా దయ్యము పట్టినట్లు
edi pattina dayyamu pattinatlu
Whatever one touches/holds, it is as if a ghost has possessed it.
This expression is used to describe someone who goes to extremes or becomes obsessively persistent in whatever task they undertake. It can also refer to someone who consistently encounters bad luck or complications in every endeavor they start, as if it were cursed or jinxed.
చుట్టం కదా అని చూడబోతే దయ్యమై పట్టుకుందట
chuttam kada ani chudabote dayyamai pattukundata
When visited thinking they were a relative, they caught hold like a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where you approach someone out of kindness, goodwill, or a sense of relationship, but they end up becoming a source of trouble, harassment, or a burden. It signifies that a person you expected help or comfort from turned out to be toxic or problematic.
దాగబోయిన చోట దయ్యాలు పట్టుకున్నట్లు
dagaboyina chota dayyalu pattukunnatlu
The devils caught him in the place he went to hide in. One ill calls another. (Italian.)
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, while trying to escape or hide from a small problem or danger, ends up encountering a much bigger or more terrifying trouble. It is similar to the English expression 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.'
దేవుడని మొక్కితే, దయ్యమై పట్టుకొన్నట్లు
devudani mokkite, dayyamai pattukonnatlu
Like praying to a deity, only for it to possess you like a ghost.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone seeks help or protection from a person or entity, but instead of receiving help, that very person or entity becomes a source of trouble or misery. It is similar to the concept of a 'blessing becoming a curse' or a savior turning into an oppressor.
తాతా సంక్రాంతి పట్టు పట్టు
tata sankranti pattu pattu
O grandfather! Sankrânti [has arrived] catch it! catch it! Sankrânti is the transit of the sun from Sagittarius to Capricornus, when the Hindus celebrate the Pongal feast.—This is chaff ; old people observe the feast very scrupulously.
This expression is used to mock someone who is eagerly waiting for or anticipating something that is still far away, or to describe someone who is overly anxious for a future event. It implies that the person is being impatient about something that will happen in its own time.
కులము తక్కువవానికి నీటు ఎక్కువ
kulamu takkuvavaniki nitu ekkuva
The one from a lower caste/status has more vanity.
This proverb is used to describe people who lack substance, character, or high status but try to overcompensate by being overly showy, boastful, or excessively concerned with outward appearances and fashion.
చుట్టమై చూడవస్తే దయ్యమై పట్టుకున్నట్టు
chuttamai chudavaste dayyamai pattukunnattu
When someone comes to visit as a relative but stays back and haunts like a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a guest or a person who initially came to help or visit ends up overstaying their welcome or becomes a major nuisance and burden that is hard to get rid of.