గంతా బొంతా కలిసి గాడిద మోతైనట్టు.

ganta bonta kalisi gadida motainattu.

Translation

Like the saddle and the cloth bundle together becoming a heavy load for the donkey.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where several small, seemingly insignificant burdens or problems accumulate to become an overwhelming task. It refers to how minor things, when added up, result in a heavy struggle for the person responsible.

Related Phrases

One quilt below, one quilt above; what worry do I have?

This proverb describes a state of complete contentment and self-sufficiency with minimal possessions. It is used to express that when a person's basic needs are met and they have a simple life, they are free from the anxieties and stresses that come with wealth or complex responsibilities.

All of it is just a hole/gap

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.

The quilt matches the saddlebag.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people or things are perfectly matched, often in a negative or sarcastic sense. It implies that a person has found a partner, friend, or situation that is exactly as good or bad as they are. It is similar to the English expression 'Like father, like son' or 'Two of a kind.'

Like a saddle and a rug coming together to become a donkey's burden.

This expression is used to describe a situation where two useless or insignificant items or people join together, resulting in nothing but a heavy, unproductive burden. It suggests that the combination of poor quality components only leads to more trouble or labor rather than any benefit.

Falling into a pit knowingly.

This expression is used when someone makes a mistake or gets into trouble despite being fully aware of the consequences or the danger beforehand. It signifies a lack of caution or ignoring warnings.

When one took sanyasam (renunciation) wanting to die, it turned into carrying a saddle, a quilt, and a donkey’s load.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to escape their current problems or responsibilities by taking a drastic step, only to find themselves burdened with even more difficult or tedious tasks than before. It highlights that shortcuts or running away from reality often lead to more complications.

Like Vasudeva going and holding the feet of a donkey

This expression refers to a situation where a person of high stature or capability is forced by desperate circumstances to seek help from someone much inferior or unworthy. It originates from the story of Krishna's birth, where his father Vasudeva, in a moment of extreme crisis, had to humble himself to ensure safety. It is used to describe doing whatever is necessary, even if it feels demeaning, to overcome a difficult obstacle.

A pack-saddle fits the size, and a quilt fits the pack-saddle.

This proverb is used to describe a perfect match or a situation where things are suited to each other, often used in a sarcastic or humorous way to describe a couple or a pair of people who share the same (often negative) traits or habits. It implies that for every person or situation, there is a corresponding match that deserves them.

A quilt made of old saree scraps is destined to be burnt eventually.

This proverb suggests that things made of low-quality materials or temporary fixes have a limited lifespan and will inevitably wear out or be discarded. It is used to describe situations where someone relies on weak or outdated resources, implying that the outcome is predictable and unavoidable.

Like packsaddle, like quilt.

This expression is used to describe two people or things that are a perfect match for each other, often in a sarcastic or negative sense (like two equally lazy or cunning people). It is the Telugu equivalent of the English phrase 'Like father, like son' or 'A chip off the old block', implying that the quality or nature of one thing matches the other perfectly.

Like pot, like cover. (Dutch.)*