ఏమీ దొరకనమ్మకు ఏగాని దొరికితే, ఎందులో బెడుదునే ఎంకటమ్మా అన్నదట
emi dorakanammaku egani dorikite, endulo bedudune enkatamma annadata
When a woman who has nothing finally finds a small coin, she cries out 'Where shall I keep this, O Venkamma?'
This proverb is used to mock people who make a huge fuss over a small, insignificant gain or achievement. It describes the behavior of someone who, after a long period of lack, becomes overly anxious or dramatically overwhelmed by a tiny bit of fortune that doesn't actually warrant such attention.
Related Phrases
చెవ్వాకు పోయినమ్మకు ఎంత వ్యసనమో, దొరికినమ్మకు అంత సంతోషము.
chevvaku poyinammaku enta vyasanamo, dorikinammaku anta santoshamu.
The lady who found the ear-ornament was as glad as the lady who lost it was sorry.
This proverb highlights the duality of loss and gain. It describes a zero-sum situation where one person's misfortune directly results in another person's benefit or happiness. It is often used to remark on the irony of life where the same event causes grief to one and celebration to another.
Ill-luck is good for something. ( French. )* * A quelque chose malheur est bon.
ఎన్నడూ దొరకనమ్మకు ఏగాని దొరికితే ఏడు ముళ్లు వేసిందట
ennadu dorakanammaku egani dorikite edu mullu vesindata
When a woman who never found anything finally found a small coin, she tied seven knots to secure it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves excessively or ridiculously over-cautious when they suddenly acquire something of very small value. It mocks someone who makes a huge fuss over a trivial gain because they are not used to having anything at all.
కుక్క కనిపిస్తే రాయి దొరకదు, రాయి దొరికితే కుక్క కనిపించదు
kukka kanipiste rayi dorakadu, rayi dorikite kukka kanipinchadu
If you see a dog, you don't find a stone; if you find a stone, you don't see the dog.
This expression highlights the irony of life where things don't align when needed. It describes a situation where you have the opportunity but lack the resources, or you have the resources but the opportunity is gone. It is often used when someone encounters bad luck or poor timing.
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరకకపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakakapote dora
If caught, he is a thief; if not caught, he is a lord.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status based on being caught. It is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. As long as their crimes are hidden, they are respected as a gentleman or 'Dora' (lord), but the moment they are caught, they are labeled a thief.
చెవ్వాకు పోయినమ్మకు దుఃఖమూ లేదు, దొరికినమ్మకు సంతోషమూ లేదు.
chevvaku poyinammaku duhkhamu ledu, dorikinammaku santoshamu ledu.
Neither the woman who lost her earring is sad, nor the woman who found it is happy.
This expression refers to an object or a situation that is of such low value or triviality that its loss doesn't affect the owner, and its discovery doesn't benefit the finder. It is used to describe things that are practically useless or insignificant to everyone involved.
రెక్కాడితేగాని డొక్కాడని వాడికి రత్నం దొరికితే రాయి అన్నాట్ట.
rekkaditegani dokkadani vadiki ratnam dorikite rayi annatta.
When a man whose belly is filled only if his hands toil finds a diamond, he says it is just a stone.
This expression describes a person who is so consumed by the daily grind and survival that they lack the knowledge or perspective to recognize a great opportunity or a valuable asset when it presents itself. It is used to highlight how poverty or lack of exposure can make someone ignorant of life's bigger fortunes.
కుక్క వస్తే రాయి దొరకదు, రాయి దొరికితే కుక్క రాదు.
kukka vaste rayi dorakadu, rayi dorikite kukka radu.
When the dog comes, a stone cannot be found ; when a stone is found, the dog does not come. A thing can never be found when it is most wanted.
This expression describes a situation of poor timing or irony where two things needed for a specific action are never available at the same time. It is used when resources or opportunities are missing exactly when they are most needed, but appear only when the need has passed.
ఏడు నెలలకు ఎందుకు నడకలు అన్నట్లు
edu nelalaku enduku nadakalu annatlu
Like asking why a seven-month-old is not walking.
This expression is used to describe someone who is being impatient or expecting results prematurely. It highlights the absurdity of expecting an outcome before the natural or required amount of time has passed, just as it is unrealistic to expect a seven-month-old infant to walk.
కమ్మరి ఇంట్లో బొగ్గులు దొరకనట్టు
kammari intlo boggulu dorakanattu
Like not finding coal in a blacksmith's house
This expression is used to describe a situation where something basic or essential is missing precisely where it is expected to be most abundant. It highlights the irony of a specialist or a source lacking the very tools or materials they work with every day.
వెంకటరెడ్డికే కంకి దొరికితే వెంటవచ్చినవాళ్ళు ఊరుకుంటారా?
venkatareddike kanki dorikite ventavachchinavallu urukuntara?
If Venkatareddy himself finds a corn cob, will those who followed him stay quiet?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a leader or a person of higher status gains something, leading their followers or subordinates to also demand a share or similar benefits. It highlights the behavior of people who expect to benefit just by being associated with someone who achieved success.