గొల్లవాడి కొమ్ము హెచ్చనూ హెచ్చదు, తగ్గనూ తగ్గదు
gollavadi kommu hechchanu hechchadu, tagganu taggadu
The shepherd's Kâvaḍi neither rises nor sinks. Because he does not swing his pots on each end. The fortunes of a sheep-farmer are subject to sudden reverses. Applied to a precarious mode of living.
This expression is used to describe a person's constant or stagnant status, income, or behavior that never changes regardless of external circumstances. It refers to the steady, unchanging rhythm or monotone sound of a shepherd's pipe, symbolizing something that remains in a fixed state without any growth or decline.
Related Phrases
నామము హెచ్చిన కామము తగ్గునా?
namamu hechchina kamamu tagguna?
Does desire decrease just because the name (religious mark) is enlarged?
This proverb suggests that external displays of piety or religious symbols do not necessarily change one's internal character or worldly desires. It is used to point out hypocrisy or to emphasize that true change must be internal rather than superficial.
వాసానికి తగ్గ కూసం
vasaniki tagga kusam
The peg fits the rafter
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two things or people are perfectly matched or suited for each other. It can be used positively to describe a good pair, or sarcastically to imply that someone has met their match in terms of cleverness, behavior, or status.
వాసానికి తగ్గ కూసము
vasaniki tagga kusamu
A peg for the rafter.
This proverb describes things or people that are well-matched or suitable for each other. It is often used to refer to a couple who are perfectly compatible, or to describe a situation where the solution is perfectly proportional to the problem.
A well matched pair.
పసుపు కొమ్ము ఇవ్వని కోమటి పసారమంతా కొల్ల ఇచ్చాడు
pasupu kommu ivvani komati pasaramanta kolla ichchadu
As impossible as that a Kômaṭi who would not give away a bit of turmeric should allow his whole store to be plundered.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely stingy over small things but ends up suffering a massive loss due to that very greed or lack of foresight. It is used to critique someone who tries to save pennies while losing pounds, or whose stubbornness over a trivial matter leads to a total catastrophe.
పిండికి తగ్గ పిడచ.
pindiki tagga pidacha.
A lump according to the flour.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the output or result is directly proportional to the effort, resources, or investment put in. It is often used in the context of budgets, quality of work, or salaries, implying 'you get what you pay for.'
గురువుకు తగ్గ శిష్యుడు
guruvuku tagga shishyudu
A disciple worthy of his Guru. Both blockheads.
This expression is used to describe a student who is as capable, skilled, or talented as their mentor. It can be used positively to praise excellence or sarcastically to imply that the student has inherited the same flaws or bad habits as the teacher.
మొండికి తగ్గ మిండడు
mondiki tagga mindadu
A master fit for a skulk.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an extremely stubborn or difficult person finally meets someone who can control, match, or overpower them. It is equivalent to the English expression 'To meet one's match' or 'Diamond cuts diamond.'
ఎద్దును ఎక్కినవాడే లింగడు, గద్దను ఎక్కినవాడే రంగడు.
eddunu ekkinavade lingadu, gaddanu ekkinavade rangadu.
He who rides on a bullock is Lingaḍu (Śiva), he who rides on a kite is Rangaḍu (Vishṇu). i. e. the two are but one under different forms. Said by Smārtas.
This expression emphasizes that people are recognized and defined by their unique status, vehicles, or attributes. Just as Shiva is identified by his bull (Nandi) and Vishnu by his eagle (Garuda), everyone has their own distinct identity or role that defines them. It is used to suggest that individuals should be judged or identified by their specific characteristics or accomplishments.
గురికి జానెడు హెచ్చు తక్కువగా కాల్చే వాడు.
guriki janedu hechchu takkuvaga kalche vadu.
A man who misses the mark by a span. A bad shot.
This expression refers to a person who is consistently inaccurate or lacks precision. It is used to describe someone who fails to hit the mark in their efforts, judgments, or skills, often by a significant margin.
ఏనుగును తెచ్చి ఏకుల బుట్టలో ఉంచి, అది తన నెత్తిన పెట్టి తన్ను ఎత్తుకో అన్నట్టు.
enugunu techchi ekula buttalo unchi, adi tana nettina petti tannu ettuko annattu.
He tells me to put the elephant into the cotton basket, to place the basket on his head, and to lift him up. Ékulabuttā is a very small hand basket. Being asked to do an utter impossibility.
This expression describes a person who creates an impossibly heavy or complicated situation through their own foolish actions and then expects others to help them out of it. It highlights the absurdity of self-created burdens and the unreasonable expectation for others to solve problems that defy logic.