దేవుడి పట్టుకంటే దయ్యపు పట్టు ఎక్కువ

devudi pattukante dayyapu pattu ekkuva

Translation

The grip of a ghost is stronger than the grip of God

Meaning

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.