గడ్డపార గాలికి పోతుంటే ఉల్లిపాయ నా జంబులీ కం చూడమన్నదట

gaddapara galiki potunte ullipaya na jambuli kam chudamannadata

Translation

When a heavy crowbar is being blown away by the wind, the onion asked to check on its own roots.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is worrying about a trivial or insignificant matter while a major catastrophe or a massive event is occurring. It highlights a lack of perspective or a failure to understand the gravity of a situation.

Related Phrases

Like climbing a palm tree and swallowing a crowbar.

This expression is used to describe someone who tries to hide a very obvious mistake or an impossible situation with a clumsy excuse. It refers to the absurdity of doing something difficult (climbing a tall palm tree) and then attempting something impossible or highly visible (swallowing a large iron crowbar) while thinking no one will notice.

When a heavy crowbar is being blown away by the wind, the onion skin asked 'What will happen to me?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most significant entities are suffering or being destroyed, yet a weak or insignificant person is worried about their own minor problems. It highlights a lack of perspective regarding the severity of a disaster.

When crowbars themselves are being blown away by the wind, a leaf plate asked 'What will happen to me?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most powerful entities are suffering or failing, making the concerns of the weak or insignificant seem obvious yet trivial. It highlights a scale of disaster where if the indestructible is perishing, the fragile has no hope.

No matter how many needles there are, they do not equal a crowbar.

This proverb emphasizes that quantity cannot replace quality or strength. Small things, even in large numbers, cannot perform a heavy-duty task that requires a single powerful tool. It is used to suggest that minor efforts or small-scale resources cannot match the impact of a significant, singular strength or resource.

When the crowbars were blown about by the wind, the leaf- platter said " What is to become of me ?" Pullâku is a cast away leaf-dish which has been once used. A mean person thinking of his own loss when his superiors are suffering.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most powerful entities are facing destruction or failure. In such a context, it is trivial or foolish for someone small or insignificant to worry about their own minor troubles. It highlights a scale of disaster where the small should realize their vulnerability is a given if the mighty are falling.

If there is a Balija as small as an onion, he will ruin the whole village.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb (sameta) used to describe a person who is small in stature or status but possesses a cunning or mischievous nature capable of causing widespread trouble. It highlights how a single manipulative individual can disrupt the peace of an entire community.

When a daughter-in-law as small as an onion arrived, the mother-in-law hiding in the storage basket kept trembling with fear.

This proverb describes a situation where a person in a position of power or seniority is irrationally intimidated by a new, seemingly insignificant, or small arrival. It is used to mock those who are overly suspicious, insecure, or fearful of change or new competition, even when the 'threat' is tiny or harmless.

When heavy iron crowbars are being blown away by the wind, the leaf plate asked 'What about my fate?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most powerful entities are being destroyed or defeated by a massive force. In such a scenario, it is foolish or redundant for someone weak or insignificant to worry about their safety, as their destruction is already a foregone conclusion. It is often used to mock people who express petty concerns during a major catastrophe.

When a child was born after much wonder and waiting, he asked for a crowbar to pierce the ears.

This proverb describes a situation where someone reacts with excessive, irrational, or destructive enthusiasm to a long-awaited or miraculous event. It is used to mock people who, in their over-excitement or lack of common sense, propose absurd or harmful actions instead of following normal procedures.

Do those who are public women (prostitutes) have any sense of family relationship or kinship?

This classical expression or proverb is used to suggest that individuals who lack character or those who treat relationships purely as transactions do not respect or recognize moral boundaries or family ties. It is often used to criticize someone's lack of integrity or their disregard for social and moral decorum.