ఘాటాలు తిన్న కోడె ఘాటికి రానట్లు

ghatalu tinna kode ghatiki ranatlu

Translation

Like a young bull that has tasted the lush grass of the valley and refuses to return to its manger.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who has experienced better opportunities, luxuries, or freedom elsewhere and is no longer willing to return to their previous, restricted, or mundane life. It highlights the difficulty of bringing someone back to a routine or humble state once they have tasted a superior or more enjoyable lifestyle.

Related Phrases

Like a monkey that has consumed bhang (cannabis)

This expression is used to describe a person who is acting in an erratic, restless, or uncontrollably hyperactive manner. Just as a monkey is naturally restless, adding an intoxicant like bhang would make its behavior completely unpredictable and wild; hence, it refers to someone behaving in a chaotic or senseless fashion.

Whether the daughters-in-law of the house eat or the chickens eat, it will not go to waste.

This proverb suggests that money or resources spent within the family or on its assets are never truly lost. Just as feeding the household's chickens eventually benefits the family (through eggs or meat), food eaten by the family members contributes to the strength and well-being of the household itself. It is used to justify internal expenses that might otherwise seem like a loss.

Like saying a donkey ate a basketful of husk.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task that is completely useless, unproductive, or yields no benefit despite significant effort. Just as husk has no nutritional value for a donkey, the action described is a waste of time and energy.

Whether things happen or not, Hyderabad is the only destination.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is heavily dependent on a specific place or person, regardless of whether their efforts succeed or fail. It implies that Hyderabad is the ultimate refuge or the only place where opportunities exist for them, often used in the context of migration or career pursuits.

Like the tree in one's own backyard is of no use for medicine.

This expression is used to describe a situation where people fail to recognize or value the talent, resources, or wisdom available close to them, often seeking the same elsewhere while undervaluing what they already have. It is similar to the English proverb 'A prophet is not honored in his own country'.

The bull that ate salt grew sturdy, while the bull that ate dal grew pale.

This proverb highlights the importance of hardship and a simple, rugged lifestyle in building strength versus the weakness caused by a pampered or luxurious lifestyle. In a practical sense, it suggests that basic, essential nutrients (salt/minerals) and hard work make one robust, whereas rich food (dal/protein) without corresponding physical strain leads to lethargy and lack of vigor. It is used to advise against over-indulgence and to value resilience.

A donkey's row. A noisy brawl. Nothing passes between asses but kicks. (Italian.)

This expression is used to describe a loud, chaotic, and senseless noise or a situation of utter confusion. It is often used to dismiss someone's shouting or an unorganized gathering as annoying and meaningless, much like the braying of a donkey.

Can a mouth that has eaten tamarinds eat bits of wood?

This proverb describes a fall from grace or a significant decline in one's standard of living. It suggests that someone who was once accustomed to a comfortable or luxurious life (symbolized by tasty tamarinds) finds it difficult or unbearable to settle for a life of extreme poverty or hardship (symbolized by eating dry wood/scraps).

As if saying my feet are the only refuge

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is left with no choice but to retreat or flee quickly. It is often used to mock someone who ran away in fear or abandoned a task out of cowardice, suggesting their own feet (running away) were their only savior.

When time is bad, one must hold a donkey's feet.

This proverb suggests that when a person is in a difficult situation or facing bad times, they might have to humble themselves or seek help from someone they normally look down upon to get their work done. It emphasizes the importance of pragmatism and patience over pride during adversity.