ఏడుస్తూ ఏరువాక సాగితే, కాడి మోకులు దొంగలు ఎత్తుకొని పోయారట.
edustu eruvaka sagite, kadi mokulu dongalu ettukoni poyarata.
While the man was sluggishly ploughing, thieves stole the rope collars.
This proverb describes a situation where starting a task with a negative attitude, lack of enthusiasm, or a heavy heart leads to further misfortune or failure. It implies that if you don't put your heart into your work, even the basic tools or opportunities will be lost, or the outcome will be naturally jinxed.
Related Phrases
మోక్షానకు పోతే, మొసలి ఎత్తుకొని పోయినది
mokshanaku pote, mosali ettukoni poyinadi
When he went for salvation, an alligator carried him off. He was bathing in holy water for the attainment of eternal beatitude. య.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone sets out with a noble or high intention, but encounters an unexpected and disastrous setback. It highlights how bad luck or unforeseen obstacles can ruin even the most virtuous pursuits.
ఎరువుల సొమ్ములు ఎరువుల వారు ఎత్తుకొని పోతే, పెండ్లికొడుకు ముఖాన పేడనీళ్లు చల్లినట్టే ఉంటుంది.
eruvula sommulu eruvula varu ettukoni pote, pendlikoduku mukhana pedanillu challinatte untundi.
When the lenders take back the ornaments lent, it is like sprinkling cowdung water on the face of a bridegroom.
This proverb highlights the embarrassment and loss of prestige that occurs when one relies on borrowed items to maintain a false status. It is used to describe a situation where a person's temporary or superficial glory is stripped away because it wasn't theirs to begin with, leaving them humiliated in a public or important setting.
దొంగతనానికి పోతూ, డోలు చంకన పెట్టుకొని పోయినట్లు
dongatananiki potu, dolu chankana pettukoni poyinatlu
Like carrying a drum under the arm while going to commit a theft.
This proverb is used to describe someone who attempts to do something secret or stealthy but acts in a way that attracts unnecessary attention. Just as the sound or size of a drum would immediately expose a thief, certain foolish actions make it impossible to keep a secret mission hidden.
పిల్లి కళ్లు మూసుకుని పాలు తాగుతూ ఎవరూ చూడడం లేదని అనుకున్నట్లు.
pilli kallu musukuni palu tagutu evaru chudadam ledani anukunnatlu.
Like a cat shutting her eyes, and fancying that no one could see her drinking the milk. A man fancying that he is unseen when committing some crime. The forest has ears, the field has eyes. (German.)
This proverb refers to people who commit wrongdoings or deceptive acts thinking they are being clever or secretive, while in reality, their actions are obvious to everyone else. It is used to mock self-deception and the foolish belief that one can hide the truth by simply ignoring it.
దొంగలూ దొంగలూ కలిసి ఊళ్ళు పంచుకొన్నట్లు.
dongalu dongalu kalisi ullu panchukonnatlu.
Like thieves joining together to divide the villages among themselves.
This expression is used to describe a situation where corrupt or wicked people collaborate to share spoils or ill-gotten gains. It highlights a conspiracy where individuals with no integrity cooperate solely for mutual benefit at the expense of others.
ఆడకాడక సమర్హాడితే, చాకలోడు కోక ఎత్తుకొని పోయినాడట.
adakadaka samarhadite, chakalodu koka ettukoni poyinadata.
When one finally chose a time to play after a long wait, the washerman reportedly ran away with the clothes.
This proverb describes a situation where a person faces an unexpected hurdle or bad luck the one time they finally decide to do something or celebrate. It is used when a rare opportunity is ruined by an unfortunate coincidence.
కాని కాలానికి పైబట్ట పక్షులు ఎత్తుకుపోయాయట
kani kalaniki paibatta pakshulu ettukupoyayata
In an evil time birds flew away with the cloth off his body. Alluding to the story of Nala.—See the Nalopâkhyânam Book ix.
This proverb describes a streak of extreme misfortune where everything goes wrong. It suggests that when one's luck is down, even the most improbable or absurd accidents occur, leading to further loss. It is used to express that during a period of bad luck, one might lose even the most basic possessions in unexpected ways.
దొంగలు దొంగలు కలిసి ఊళ్ళు పంచుకున్నట్టు
dongalu dongalu kalisi ullu panchukunnattu
Like thieves joining together to divide the villages among themselves.
This expression is used when two or more dishonest people or entities collaborate to share ill-gotten gains or exploit a situation for their own benefit. It describes a situation where 'honor among thieves' exists solely to ensure they can divide the loot without conflict, often at the expense of others.
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.'
కన్ను ఎరుగకున్నా కడుపు ఎరుగుతుంది
kannu erugakunna kadupu erugutundi
Although the eye does not see, the belly finds. A man's want leads him to seek and find a livelihood. A hungry man sees far. A hungry man discovers more than a hundred lawyers. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to describe the instinctual bond between a mother and her child. It implies that even if a mother cannot see her child's suffering or needs with her eyes, she can feel them intuitively in her gut or heart. It is often used to emphasize maternal intuition and the deep, invisible connection of parenthood.