దుక్కిటెద్దు దేశాంతరము వెళ్ళినట్టు

This proverb is used to describe how long-term habits or specific training cannot be changed instantly. Just as an ox trained to walk in circles for an oil mill cannot immediately adapt to the linear, strenuous work of ploughing a field, a person accustomed to one way of life or job cannot suddenly switch to a completely different skill set or environment without proper transition and time.

This proverb is used to point out that one should be given what is appropriate for their role or situation rather than unnecessary luxuries. A hard-working ox needs fodder and strength, not delicacies. It is often applied to people who demand sophisticated or fancy things that do not suit their current needs or capacity.

This refers to doing something inauspicious or undesirable. It is an unwanted burden and might lead to undesirable results.

This proverb emphasizes the immense loss a farmer feels when his working ox dies. In an agrarian society, the ox is the primary source of livelihood and a constant companion in labor; therefore, its loss is compared to the personal tragedy of losing one's spouse, as both signify the loss of a life partner and essential support system.

This expression is used to describe a state of extreme suffering or boredom where time feels agonizingly slow. It suggests that while one's life or strength might be fading away, the day itself feels endless and difficult to get through.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person's fate, workload, or problems remain unchanged regardless of where they go or what position they take. It highlights that changing one's environment doesn't necessarily change their circumstances if the underlying cause is persistent.

This proverb describes the plight of a hardworking person whose burdens follow them wherever they go. It suggests that a person's reputation for work or their inherent destiny ensures that they will be given the same tasks regardless of the location. It is used when someone tries to escape their responsibilities or hardships only to find the same situation elsewhere.

This expression describes an act of extreme cruelty or poor timing. It refers to a situation where someone is denied a well-deserved reward or a moment of rest right when they have earned it after hard labor, or being forced into a miserable situation just as things were about to get better.

This proverb is used to say that it is unfair or impossible to compare someone who works hard and follows rules with someone who is free, unruly, or enjoys special privileges. It highlights the vast difference in roles, lifestyle, or status between two individuals.

This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to escape hard work or a difficult situation only to find themselves in the same or worse conditions elsewhere. Just as a ploughing ox will be used for the same hard labor regardless of the country it moves to, a person's nature or their burden of work often follows them wherever they go.