ఎత్తుబారం మొత్తుకోళ్ళు

ettubaram mottukollu

Translation

Lifting the burden and then beating one's chest in grief.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone voluntarily takes on a responsibility or burden and then complains or laments about the difficulty and stress it causes. It highlights the irony of self-inflicted hardship.

Related Phrases

Like beating one's mouth (lamentation) with a maimed hand. Doing any thing clumsily.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply frustrated or grieving but is unable to effectively express their pain or do anything about it. It signifies a state of utter helplessness where even one's attempts to lament are ineffective or incomplete due to a lack of resources or capability.

An elevated load and the evening darkness.

This expression refers to a situation where a person is burdened with a heavy responsibility or task at the very last moment or when time is running out. It signifies the difficulty of managing a heavy load (literal or metaphorical) when the circumstances (like fading light) are becoming unfavorable.

Like hitting oneself with a hand that has no fingers.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's efforts or protests are completely ineffective and go unnoticed. Just as a hand without fingers cannot produce a loud sound or physical impact when striking a surface, this phrase refers to someone who is so powerless or helpless that their complaints or struggles do not result in any change or attention.

Senseless howlings O Muttaima Seṭṭi! Said of people wrangling without reason.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone continues to behave stubbornly or foolishly despite repeated warnings or advice. It implies that no matter how much one protests or 'beats their head' in frustration, the other person remains unchanged or indifferent.

When asked 'How are things, Polisetti?', he replied 'The same old lamentations'.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time. It refers to people who are chronically pessimistic or situations where problems persist indefinitely without any improvement, much like someone who always responds with complaints regardless of when they are asked.

For a stubborn husband, a rebellious wife.

This proverb describes a couple where both partners are difficult or non-cooperative in their own ways. If the husband is argumentative or perverse in his behavior, the wife matches him by being unyielding or burdensome. It is used to describe a pair that is perfectly matched in their negative traits or lack of harmony.

A child in arms won't stop crying even if you hit it.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is forced to endure a burden or responsibility they have voluntarily taken up. Once you have committed to helping someone or taking on a task (lifting the child), you must bear the consequences and difficulties (the crying/trouble) that come with it until the end.

When Pôlisetti was asked how he was getting on, he replied "I am in trouble as usual."

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time. It refers to people who are chronic complainers or situations where, no matter when you check in, the problems and grievances remain exactly the same as before.

For a very short husband, a very tall wife.

This proverb describes a mismatch or an ill-suited pairing. It is used to point out situations where two entities, people, or things are completely incompatible or disproportionate to each other, making the combination look awkward or impractical.

For a wedding that is bound to fail, it is all the same even if you offer a helping hand.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or task that is fundamentally flawed or destined for failure from the start. In such cases, no matter how much effort, support, or 'legs' (assistance) you provide, the outcome will remain the same. It suggests that some things are beyond saving despite intervention.