ఎక్కితే గుర్రపు రౌతు, దిగితే కాలి బంటు

ekkite gurrapu rautu, digite kali bantu

Translation

If I ride I shall be a trooper, if I dismount I shall be a foot soldier. A man who makes himself useful in any position.

Meaning

This expression describes a versatile person who can adapt to any situation or task. It refers to someone who can handle high-level responsibilities with authority when required, yet remains humble and capable enough to perform basic manual labor or subordinate tasks when necessary.

Related Phrases

If the disciple grows, he will surpass the teacher.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a student or protege excels to such an extent that they become more skilled, famous, or capable than their own mentor. It signifies the success of the teacher's guidance while acknowledging the exceptional talent of the pupil.

When a trooper was told not to come into the village, he asked where he was to put up his horse.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or ignores a larger rejection to focus on a trivial detail. It highlights the behavior of someone who misses the main point (not being welcome at all) and asks about a minor logistical matter (parking or stabling).

9

If he mounts, he is a horse rider; if he dismounts, he is a foot soldier.

This expression describes a person's extreme versatility or their ability to adapt to any situation, no matter how high or low. It is often used to refer to someone who is a 'jack of all trades' or someone who can carry out a task with great dignity but is also willing to do the humble grunt work when required.

If the rider is soft, the horse is said to walk on three legs.

This proverb highlights that if a leader or person in authority is lenient or weak, those under them will become lazy, rebellious, or perform poorly. It is used to describe situations where a lack of discipline leads to inefficient results.

An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.

This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.

If the rider is new, the horse pretends to be lame.

This proverb describes a situation where an experienced subordinate or a clever person takes advantage of a newcomer or an inexperienced boss. It implies that if the person in charge doesn't know what they are doing, those under them will make excuses or behave lazily to avoid work.

The rider wants to get down, but the horse wants to leap.

This proverb describes a situation where two parties have completely opposite intentions or conflicting goals. It is often used to describe lack of coordination or when circumstances are pulling in two different directions at the same time.

Horse behaves (runs) to suit (the ability of) the rider.

The worker in any setup works as directed/controlled by the master. If the master/manager is incompetent/lenient, there will be no discipline and the entire setup will be disorganized.

If it sinks, it is a stone; if it floats, it is a cork.

This proverb refers to things that are very light or very heavy with no middle ground. It is used to describe an 'all or nothing' situation or to test the true nature of something by observing its final outcome. It implies that the result will eventually reveal the reality, just as water reveals whether an object is a heavy stone or a light piece of wood/cork.

A humpbacked man with convulsions.

This proverb describes a situation where a person who is already facing one significant problem or disability is burdened with an additional, even more severe misfortune. It is used to express that troubles often come in pairs or that an already difficult situation has been made worse by a new calamity.