గుర్రాన్ని తొట్టి దగ్గరకు ఈడ్చుకుపోగలమే గానీ నీళ్లు తాగించలేము

gurranni totti daggaraku idchukupogalame gani nillu taginchalemu

Translation

We can pull a horse to the trough, but we cannot make it drink.

Meaning

This expression is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.' It signifies that you can provide someone with an opportunity or create the right conditions for them, but you cannot force them to take action or benefit from it if they are unwilling.

Related Phrases

Like starting to limp after seeing a horse.

This expression is used to describe a person who foolishly tries to imitate someone else's superior speed or ability, but ends up failing miserably or making a mockery of themselves. It highlights the irony of trying to match a horse's gallop by limping.

He said 'brother' to the axe blow

This expression describes a situation where someone suddenly becomes humble, respectful, or starts calling an enemy 'brother' only when faced with an immediate, life-threatening danger or severe punishment. It is used to mock people who only show manners or submission when they are under duress.

Whether death approaches or a wife approaches, one loses their mind.

This proverb highlights two extremes where a person loses their rational thinking or common sense: when facing imminent death (due to fear and panic) and when overwhelmed by lust or infatuation. It is used to describe situations where a person acts irrationally under the influence of extreme fear or intense desire.

Good people were sent to good people, and I was sent to you.

This is a witty or self-deprecating expression used to highlight compatibility or a shared level of mischief/character between two people. It implies that just as 'like attracts like' for good people, the speaker and the listener are a perfect match for each other, often used humorously among close friends or partners to acknowledge their shared quirks or flaws.

They sent the wise people to the wise and sent me to you.

This is a witty, self-deprecating, and sarcastic remark used to insult the person being spoken to. It implies that both the speaker and the listener are fools, contrasting them with the 'wise people' who were sent elsewhere. It is often used humorously among friends to call someone an idiot without being overly aggressive.

One can make someone eat bitterness through friendship, but cannot force them to drink milk through power.

This proverb emphasizes that affection and friendship can achieve things that force or coercion cannot. You can convince someone to do something difficult or unpleasant (bitterness) out of love, but you cannot force them to accept even something beneficial (milk) against their will.

The words spoken at the graveyard do not remain at the dinner table.

This proverb highlights the fleeting nature of philosophical realizations or remorse. People often express deep wisdom or regret during somber moments (like a funeral), but quickly return to their usual habits and desires once they are back in the comfort of their daily lives.

My legs start aching the moment I see a horse.

This proverb describes a person who is naturally lazy but looks for excuses to avoid effort. Just by seeing a horse (a means of transport), the person pretends their legs hurt so that they can get a ride instead of walking. It is used to mock someone who suddenly acts weak or incapable when an easy way out presents itself.

The lock is with you, the key is with me.

In Telugu, 'Chevi' can mean both 'ear' and 'key'. This expression refers to a situation where two parties must cooperate because they each hold a vital part of a solution, or more colloquially, it describes a situation where authority or access is divided, preventing any one person from acting independently.

Like putting a saddle on a white horse

This expression is used to describe an action that highlights or makes something very obvious and prominent. Just as a saddle is immediately noticeable on a white horse, a particular behavior, flaw, or merit becomes strikingly apparent in certain situations. It is often used to refer to someone trying to hide something that is impossible to conceal or making a choice that draws unnecessary attention.