గుగ్గిళ్ళకు కొన్న గుర్రాలు అగడ్తలు దాటగలవా

guggillaku konna gurralu agadtalu datagalava

Translation

Can horses bought for boiled grains jump over moats?

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes that low investment or poor preparation leads to failure in challenging tasks. Just as horses fed only on cheap boiled snacks (guggillu) instead of high-quality feed lack the strength to leap across defensive ditches, a person who is inadequately trained or provided with cheap resources cannot handle high-stakes responsibilities.

Related Phrases

In an unlucky time his Kandi wouldn't boil soft.

This proverb describes a situation where everything goes wrong when time is not on your side. It suggests that even simple or familiar things can become difficult, or expectations can turn into unexpected outcomes during an unlucky period. It is used to express how one's misfortune can make even the most basic tasks or situations go awry.

Like selling a horse for boiled grains.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a foolish or lopsided deal, giving away something of high value (a horse) for something of very little value or a temporary craving (boiled grains). It signifies a lack of foresight or poor judgment in business and life decisions.

Boiled grains are a waste for a blind horse.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where high-quality resources or efforts are wasted on something or someone that cannot utilize them effectively. It suggests that providing expensive or premium things (like 'guggillu' or boiled chickpeas) to a blind horse is futile because the horse cannot perform the tasks expected of it, making the investment a loss.

If dogs spin cotton yarn, horses will wear sarees.

This proverb is used to describe an impossible or highly improbable situation. It implies that if something inherently absurd or unnatural were to happen, the consequences would be equally ridiculous. It is often used to mock someone's unrealistic claims or to express deep skepticism about a task being completed by someone unqualified.

Will hired horses leap over ditches ?

This proverb suggests that people will not show the same level of commitment, risk-taking, or care for something that is not their own. Just as a rented horse might lack the spirit or loyalty to leap over dangerous obstacles for a temporary master, employees or outsiders often lack the passion and dedication that an owner or stakeholder would naturally possess.

* Mieux vaut un nez que deux vous l'aurez. † Thesaurus carbones erant. ‡ Hij zegt duivel en meent u.

Like driving horses inside a pot

This expression is used to describe someone who makes grand claims or performs 'heroic' acts in a safe, restricted environment where there is no actual risk or challenge. It refers to a person who boasts about their abilities without ever facing real-world testing or competition.

Donkeys carry the burden, horses get the feed

This proverb is used to describe an unfair situation where one person does all the hard labor (the donkey) while someone else reaps all the rewards and luxuries (the horse). It highlights exploitation or inequity in work and reward distribution.

Lame horses and leather swords

This expression is used to describe a situation where the resources or tools available are completely ineffective or useless for the task at hand. Just as a lame horse cannot run and a leather sword cannot cut, it refers to having incompetent help or inadequate equipment.

Grains of iron, not of black gram.

This expression is used to describe a task or a subject that is extremely difficult to master, understand, or accomplish. Just as boiled iron pellets are impossible to chew compared to soft boiled black gram, it refers to something that is exceptionally 'tough to swallow' or highly complex.

The pulse spoken of is the Phaseolus Roxburghii. Said of a puzzling passage or a jawbreaking verse.

Like a sheep that went to the forest but fell into a moat.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone, in an attempt to escape a problem or find a better place, ends up in an even worse or more dangerous situation. It is similar to the English idiom 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.'