గోరు వాస్తే వేలంత, వేలు వాస్తే కాలంత, కాలు వాస్తే రోలంత, రోలు వాస్తే ఎంత?
goru vaste velanta, velu vaste kalanta, kalu vaste rolanta, rolu vaste enta?
If the nail swell, [it will be ] as big as the finger; if the finger swell, [it will be ] as big as the leg; if the leg swell, [it will be ] as big as a mortar; if the mortar swell, how big [ will it be ? ] Said in ridicule of a logician.
This is a humorous and logical Telugu proverb or riddle used to describe exaggeration or the concept of exponential growth/inflation. It highlights how a small issue, if left unchecked or exaggerated, can become absurdly large. It is often used to mock someone who is blowing things out of proportion or to point out the logical fallacy in a sequence of exaggerations.
Related Phrases
పైన మంట, కింద మంట, కడుపులో మంట, కాలు నిలిపితే ఖామందు తంట
paina manta, kinda manta, kadupulo manta, kalu nilipite khamandu tanta
Fire above, fire below, fire in the belly, and if the foot stops, the master causes trouble.
This proverb describes the plight of a hardworking laborer or farmer. 'Fire above' refers to the scorching sun, 'fire below' refers to the hot earth, and 'fire in the belly' refers to hunger. It signifies that despite physical suffering and hunger, they cannot stop working because they are afraid of the master's wrath or the loss of their livelihood.
కడుపు వస్తే కనే తీరాలి
kadupu vaste kane tirali
After conception there's nothing for it but to bring forth.
This proverb is used to convey that once a responsibility is taken or a process has started, one must see it through to the end regardless of the difficulties. It emphasizes that certain consequences or duties are inevitable once a particular path is chosen.
A work undertaken must be completed.
వయస్సు వస్తే సరసం వస్తుందా?
vayassu vaste sarasam vastunda?
Does romance/wit come just because one has reached a certain age?
This expression is used to remark that maturity, wit, or a sense of humor (sarasam) do not automatically develop just because a person grows older. It is often used to criticize someone who is old enough but lacks social grace, romantic sensibility, or intelligence.
గోరు వాచిన వేలంత, వేలు వాచిన కాలంత, కాలు వాచిన రోలంత, రోలు వాచిన ఎంత?
goru vachina velanta, velu vachina kalanta, kalu vachina rolanta, rolu vachina enta?
If a nail swells, it becomes the size of a finger; if a finger swells, it becomes the size of a leg; if a leg swells, it becomes the size of a mortar; if the mortar swells, how big would it be?
This is a rhythmic riddle or a satirical saying used to describe the logic of hyperbole or disproportionate growth. It highlights how problems can escalate in scale, or it is used as a humorous 'endless' question to stump someone, as a stone mortar (rolu) cannot actually swell.
ఏరు వస్తే వాన వెలుస్తుంది.
eru vaste vana velustundi.
When the river arrives, the rain stops.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a minor concern or source of relief is superseded by a larger event, or specifically, that once a major outcome is achieved (the river flowing), the preliminary signs (the rain) are no longer needed. It is often used to imply that after a long-awaited result occurs, the struggles leading up to it come to an end.
చవక వస్తే బజారుకు వస్తుంది
chavaka vaste bajaruku vastundi
If it becomes cheap, it comes to the marketplace.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is only willing to do something or offer their services when it requires very little effort or when the risk is extremely low. It is often used to mock someone who avoids responsibility or hard work but suddenly appears when things become easy or free.
వేలు వాచి రోలంతయితే, రోలు వాస్తే మరెంత కావాలి?
velu vachi rolantayite, rolu vaste marenta kavali?
If a swollen finger becomes the size of a mortar, how big would a swollen mortar become?
This proverb is used to describe a situation that has already grown out of proportion or when someone is making unreasonable demands. It implies that if a small problem has already caused such massive chaos, any further complication would be unimaginable. It is also used to mock someone who exaggerates a minor issue or when someone who is already wealthy or powerful complains about wanting more.
కారం రాస్తే మంట, వెన్న రాస్తే తంట
karam raste manta, venna raste tanta
Applying chili causes burning; applying butter causes trouble.
This expression describes a lose-lose situation or a person who is impossible to please. It refers to a scenario where every solution or action, whether harsh (chili) or soothing (butter), results in a negative outcome or a complaint.
వేలంత చోటిస్తే రోలంత నష్టం
velanta chotiste rolanta nashtam
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.'
గుంతకు వస్తే మరదలు మిట్టకు వస్తే వదిన
guntaku vaste maradalu mittaku vaste vadina
If in a ditch she is a sister-in-law (younger); if on a mound she is a sister-in-law (elder).
This expression is used to describe opportunistic behavior. It refers to a person who changes their relationship or attitude towards someone based on the situation or their own convenience. In this context, calling someone 'maradalu' implies a more casual or lower-status relationship when things are difficult (ditch), while calling them 'vadina' implies a more respectful or distant relationship when things are better (mound). It characterizes a fair-weather friend or someone who is inconsistently respectful.