దొంగ గొడ్డు మెడకు దుడ్డు కట్టినట్లు
donga goddu medaku duddu kattinatlu
Like tying a heavy stick to the neck of a straying or stolen cattle.
This proverb is used to describe an action taken to restrict someone's movement or to keep a constant watch on a person who is prone to mischief or escaping. Just as a heavy log (duddu) is tied to the neck of a cow that tends to wander away or jump fences, this expression refers to imposing strict controls or burdens to prevent someone from acting out of line.
Related Phrases
పిల్లి మెడలో రొయ్యలు గట్టినట్లు
pilli medalo royyalu gattinatlu
Like tying prawns around a cat's neck
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is entrusted with something they cannot resist consuming or misusing. Just as a cat will immediately eat the prawns tied to its neck, a person placed in a position of temptation will inevitably succumb to it. It signifies a lack of trust or a foolish decision in delegating responsibility.
దొంగకు దొంగ తోడు
dongaku donga todu
A thief is a companion to another thief
This expression is used to describe how people with similar bad habits, questionable characters, or dishonest intentions tend to support and protect each other. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Birds of a feather flock together' or 'Honor among thieves', often used in a negative context to highlight collusion between wrongdoers.
గాలి మేడలు కట్టడం
gali medalu kattadam
Building castles in the air
This expression refers to creating unrealistic plans or daydreams that have no solid foundation. It is used to describe someone who is being impractical or overly idealistic about the future without taking any concrete action.
దొంగగొడ్డుకు గుడి కట్టినట్లు
dongagodduku gudi kattinatlu
Like building a temple for a stray or thieving cattle.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is unworthy, dishonest, or troublesome is given undue respect, honor, or protection. It highlights the irony and wastefulness of glorifying someone who does not deserve it.
చంక దుడ్డుకు దండం అన్నట్లు
chanka dudduku dandam annatlu
Like bowing to the stick held under the arm.
This expression refers to a situation where someone shows respect or obeys another person not out of genuine regard, but out of fear of the weapon or power they possess. It is used when a person's submission is forced by an immediate threat of violence or authority.
దొంగలు తోలిన గొడ్డు ఏ రేవున దాటినా ఒకటే
dongalu tolina goddu e revuna datina okate
It doesn't matter which riverbank a stolen ox crosses.
This proverb implies that once something is stolen or lost to bad actors, the specific path or method of its disappearance becomes irrelevant to the owner. It is also used to describe situations where the final negative outcome is certain, making the minor details of how it happened insignificant.
దొంగను దొంగ ఎరుగును
donganu donga erugunu
A thief is known by a thief. A thief knows a thief, as a wolf knows a wolf.
This proverb implies that people of the same kind, especially those with malicious or secretive habits, can easily recognize each other's traits or motives. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'It takes one to know one' or 'Birds of a feather flock together.'
దొంగ సంగతి దొంగకే ఎరుగును
donga sangati dongake erugunu
Only a thief knows the secrets of another thief
This proverb implies that people of the same kind, especially those involved in deceptive or specific activities, understand each other's tactics and mindsets better than outsiders. It is used to suggest that it takes one to know one.
రోషానికి రోలు మెడను కట్టుకున్నట్లు.
roshaniki rolu medanu kattukunnatlu.
Like tying a stone mortar around one's neck out of pride or spite.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person, driven by ego, pride, or stubbornness, takes an action that only causes them self-harm or creates an unnecessary burden. It highlights the foolishness of letting one's emotions lead to a decision that is difficult to sustain or carries heavy consequences.
దొంగలు తోలిన గొడ్డు ఏ రేవున దాటినా ఒకటే
dongalu tolina goddu e revuna datina okate
It matters not which ford was crossed by the stolen ox. When one suffers a loss the cause matters little.
This proverb implies that when something is stolen or obtained illegally, the specific route or method of disposal doesn't matter to the thief, as the end result (the loss for the owner) is the same. It is used to suggest that once a situation is beyond repair or an asset is lost, the minor details of how it happened are irrelevant.