గోరంత ఆలస్యం కొండంత నష్టం

goranta alasyam kondanta nashtam

Translation

A fingernail-sized delay causes a mountain-sized loss.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of punctuality and timely action. It suggests that even a tiny or negligible delay can lead to catastrophic or massive consequences. It is used to advise someone to be prompt and not to underestimate the risks of procrastination.

Related Phrases

Why a mountain of fire to [burn down] a mountain of cotton? A little fire burns up a great deal of corn.

This proverb implies that a small spark is enough to destroy a massive problem if applied correctly. It is used to suggest that one does not need excessive force or resources to tackle a task that has an inherent vulnerability.

When it is as small as a finger nail, he makes a mountain of it. To make a mountain of a mole-hill.

This expression is used to describe someone who has a habit of exaggerating small, insignificant matters or trivial issues into major problems or grand stories. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.

One's own mountain-sized fault is seen as small as a fingernail, while another's fingernail-sized fault is seen as big as a mountain.

This proverb describes the common human tendency to be hypocritical. It refers to someone who minimizes or ignores their own massive mistakes while exaggerating and criticizing the smallest flaws in others. It is used to point out bias, lack of self-reflection, or unfair judgment.

Making a fingernail-sized thing into a mountain-sized one.

This expression is used to describe the act of exaggerating a small issue or a minor event into something much larger than it actually is. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'making a mountain out of a molehill'.

If you give space as small as a finger, it leads to a loss as big as a mortar.

This expression is used to warn that giving someone even a tiny bit of leverage, opportunity, or space can result in them taking undue advantage and causing significant trouble or damage. It is similar to the English proverb: 'Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile.'

Delay is the husband (master) of haste.

This proverb is used to warn that being overly hasty often leads to mistakes or complications that ultimately result in even greater delays. It is similar to the English proverb 'Haste makes waste.'

If it is as small as a fingernail, he makes it as big as a mountain.

This expression is used to describe a person who has a habit of exaggerating things or blowing small issues out of proportion. It is similar to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.

A fingernail-sized fortune is better than a mountain-sized intelligence.

This proverb highlights the practical reality that sometimes a little bit of wealth or resources can be more immediately useful than vast knowledge or intelligence without any means to apply it. It is often used to emphasize that even small financial stability can provide more security than mere cleverness in difficult times.

If it rains during Ashwini (Karti), it results in total loss.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb referring to the 'Ashwini Karti' period (usually mid-April). It suggests that rainfall during this specific time is detrimental to crops that are ready for harvest or in specific growth stages, leading to significant financial loss for farmers.

The lamp (wick) is of the size of a nail; illumination the size of a hill.

Even a small lamp can give a wide glow. Physical size does not always lead to insignificant actions. It is the largeness of purpose that makes the act big.