ఎద్దును అడిగి గంత కడతారా?
eddunu adigi ganta kadatara?
Are you to ask the bullock before putting on the packsaddle?
This proverb is used to describe situations where a dominant person or authority figure takes action without consulting the subordinate party, especially when the action is mandatory or inevitable. It highlights that in certain power dynamics, consent is not sought because the outcome is already decided.
Related Phrases
పుట్టడము చావడము కొరకే
puttadamu chavadamu korake
To be born is but for death.
This expression reflects a philosophical view on the cycle of life and death. It is used to remind others that death is an inevitable outcome of birth and that one should not be overly attached to worldly life or fear the end, as it is a natural law of existence.
నాదమంటే గంట, వాదముంటే తంట
nadamante ganta, vadamunte tanta
If it is sound, it is a bell; if it is an argument, it is a trouble.
This expression highlights the difference between pleasant sounds and unpleasant conflicts. It suggests that while ringing a bell produces a harmonious sound, engaging in unnecessary arguments or disputes only leads to problems and complications. It is used to advise someone to avoid bickering and maintain peace.
గచ్చకాయంత బెల్లానికైనా గానుగ కట్టాలి
gachchakayanta bellanikaina ganuga kattali
Even for a piece of jaggery the size of a fever nut, the oil mill must be set up.
This expression means that regardless of how small or simple a task may be, one must still follow the necessary procedures, use the proper tools, or exert the required effort to complete it successfully. It emphasizes that there are no shortcuts to certain systematic processes.
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
నాదం లేని గంట, నాము లేని పంట.
nadam leni ganta, namu leni panta.
A bell without sound, a crop without grain.
This expression refers to something that lacks its core essence or purpose. Just as a bell is useless if it cannot ring and a crop is worthless if it doesn't yield grain, any object or person that does not fulfill their fundamental function is considered ineffective or hollow. It is used to describe wasted effort or decorative things that have no practical value.
టెంకాయ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టగానే అది దొంగకు అడ్డమా?
tenkaya chettuku madigudda kattagane adi dongaku addama?
Will a holy cloth tied to a coconut tree stop a thief?
This proverb is used to say that external appearances of piety or ritualistic symbols cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from doing harm. It highlights the futility of using religious or symbolic gestures to solve practical security problems or to change someone's inherent nature.
నాదముంటే గంట, వాదముంటే తంట
nadamunte ganta, vadamunte tanta
If there is sound, it is a bell; if there is an argument, it is a trouble.
This expression highlights that while sound (music/vibration) can be pleasant like a bell, engaging in unnecessary arguments or disputes only leads to problems and complications. It is used to advise people to avoid verbal conflicts and maintain peace.
అంతకు తగిన గంత, గంతకు తగిన బొంత.
antaku tagina ganta, gantaku tagina bonta.
A pack-saddle fits the size, and a quilt fits the pack-saddle.
This proverb is used to describe a perfect match or a situation where things are suited to each other, often used in a sarcastic or humorous way to describe a couple or a pair of people who share the same (often negative) traits or habits. It implies that for every person or situation, there is a corresponding match that deserves them.
కళ్ళు వచ్చినప్పుడే చళ్ళు వస్తే, మదపు టేనుగును మంచానికి కట్టేద్దును నీదాకా రానిద్దునా, అన్నదట.
kallu vachchinappude challu vaste, madapu tenugunu manchaniki katteddunu nidaka ranidduna, annadata.
If I had the strength along with the eyes, I would have tied the wild elephant to the bed and never let it reach you, said the fly.
This proverb is used to mock people who boast about what they would have done in the past or in different circumstances despite their obvious lack of capability. It highlights empty bravado and the tendency of weak or insignificant people to make grand, unrealistic claims once a situation has passed. It is often cited when someone tries to take credit or show false heroism where they actually have no power.
కడిగండము కాచును
kadigandamu kachunu
Washing protects against calamity.
This proverb highlights the importance of hygiene and cleanliness. It suggests that the simple act of washing (hands, feet, or body) can ward off diseases or 'gandamu' (critical dangers/accidents), implying that being clean prevents many avoidable troubles.