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.
Related Phrases
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.
దోచుకుపోయినవాడు దొర, దొరికినవాడు దొంగ.
dochukupoyinavadu dora, dorikinavadu donga.
The one who loots and gets away is a lord, the one who gets caught is a thief.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status and justice. It suggests that if a person commits a large-scale crime but manages to escape or hide it, they are often respected as a great person or leader. However, the one who gets caught, even for a minor offense, is branded a criminal. It is used to comment on the hypocrisy of society and the flaw in identifying criminals solely based on their capture.
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరక్కపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakkapote dora
If caught, a thief; if not caught, a lord.
This proverb is used to describe hypocritical people who maintain a respectable image in society as long as their misdeeds remain hidden. It implies that many people are only considered 'honorable' or 'gentlemen' because they haven't been caught yet, highlighting that status often depends on the public eye rather than true character.
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.
నిలవడానికి చోటు దొరికితే కూర్చోవడానికి చోటు దొరికినట్లే
nilavadaniki chotu dorikite kurchovadaniki chotu dorikinatle
If you find a place to stand, it's as if you found a place to sit.
This proverb describes people who, after being granted a small favor or a foot in the door, gradually demand more or take complete control. It is used to warn about opportunistic people who exploit initial kindness to gain a larger foothold.
అప్పు దొరికితే పప్పుకూడు
appu dorikite pappukudu
If I could raise a loan, [I should be able to live on ] dâl and rice. An excuse made by a host for treating his guest with poor fare.
This proverb describes a person who lives recklessly beyond their means. It refers to someone who spends borrowed money on luxuries or fine food (represented by 'pappukoodu') without worrying about how they will repay the debt later. It is used to critique poor financial planning and hedonistic behavior.
మట్టి దొరికిందని మాణిక్యం దొరుకుతుందా?
matti dorikindani manikyam dorukutunda?
Just because you found soil, will you find a ruby?
This expression is used to convey that common things are easily found, but precious or rare things (like talent, true value, or high-quality items) require more effort or luck. It implies that one shouldn't expect extraordinary results or valuable outcomes just because they have access to something basic or common.
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.