గాజుల గుత్తికి రోకలి పూనినట్లు
gajula guttiki rokali puninatlu
Like using a rice-pounder for [ carrying ] a bunch of glass bracelets. When put down, the weight of the stick would break the bracelets. A foolish action.
This proverb is used to describe an action where someone uses excessive force or an inappropriate, heavy-handed tool for a delicate task. It highlights the mismatch between the fragility of the object (glass bangles) and the brute force applied (a heavy wooden pestle), inevitably leading to destruction rather than the intended result.
Related Phrases
పిచ్చి కుదిరింది రోకలి తలకు చుట్టమన్నాడట
pichchi kudirindi rokali talaku chuttamannadata
He said the madness is cured, now wrap a pestle around my head
This proverb is used to describe someone who claims to be reformed or cured of a problem but immediately suggests something equally absurd or foolish. It highlights a situation where there is no real improvement despite claims to the contrary, or when someone's inherent nature remains unchanged.
గోరుచుట్టు మీద రోకలి పోటు.
goruchuttu mida rokali potu.
The blow of a wooden pestle on a whitlow-infected nail.
Refers to a severe blow of misfortune on some one already suffering. When misfortunes come, they come in battalions. It is on those occasions, one should be bold and face the situation.
గాజుల బేరము భోజనానికి సరి.
gajula beramu bhojananiki sari.
The sale proceeds of bangles are just enough to buy food.
For a petty businessman, the profit from his business would hardly meet his basic needs. This refers to an unprofitable enterprise.
కాకులు రోకళ్ళెత్తుక పోయినవి అన్నట్లు.
kakulu rokallettuka poyinavi annatlu.
Like saying crows carried away the heavy pounding-rods.
This expression is used to describe someone who mindlessly believes or repeats absurd, impossible stories without applying any common sense. It mocks gullibility or the act of making a ridiculous claim just because someone else said so.
రోకలి మూడు మాడలు
rokali mudu madalu
Three half-pagodas for a rice pounder. Said of any thing purchased at an exorbitant price.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the cost of a basic, inexpensive item or its maintenance is disproportionately high. It highlights irony or absurdity when something simple ends up being unnecessarily expensive or overvalued.
గాజుల బేరము భోజనానకు సరి
gajula beramu bhojananaku sari
By trading in glass bracelets a bare subsistence only can be obtained. Because so many break. Applied to any business which is attended with heavy losses.
This proverb is used to describe a business or activity that yields very little profit, barely covering one's basic needs or daily expenses. It suggests that despite the hard work involved, the returns are only sufficient for survival and not for saving or growth.
రోకలి చిగురు పెట్టినట్లు.
rokali chiguru pettinatlu.
Like a wooden pestle sprouting leaves.
This expression is used to describe something that is completely impossible or an occurrence that is highly improbable. Just as a dry, dead wooden pestle (rokali) can never grow leaves or sprout, this phrase refers to situations where one expects a result from a hopeless source or refers to a miraculous, unheard-of event.
పాకలో రోకలి చిగురు పెట్టినట్లు
pakalo rokali chiguru pettinatlu
As if a wooden pestle in a shed sprouted leaves
This proverb is used to describe a situation that is absolutely impossible or highly improbable. A dry, dead piece of wood like a pestle (rokali) can never sprout leaves; therefore, it refers to expecting a miracle where there is no possibility of growth or change.
'వ్వి' అంటే తెలియదా? రోకలి పోటు.
vvi ante teliyada? rokali potu.
Don't you know what 'vvi' means? It is the strike of a pestle.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks common sense or basic awareness, especially when they fail to understand something that is painfully obvious or inevitable. It originates from the rhythmic grunt 'vvi' made by workers while using a heavy wooden pestle (rokali); if one doesn't know what that sound signifies, they are bound to be hit by the heavy tool.
లచ్చి గాజులకు సంతకుచీటి వ్రాసినట్లు.
lachchi gajulaku santakuchiti vrasinatlu.
Like writing a permission note for Lachi's bangles.
This expression is used to describe an unnecessary or redundant action. It refers to a situation where someone seeks formal permission or documentation for a trivial, everyday matter that doesn't require it, much like someone writing an official note just to buy bangles at a local market.