గుమ్మళ్లు కుళ్లినవి ఆవాలు అల్లినవి.
gummallu kullinavi avalu allinavi.
The pumpkins have become rotten, the mustard plants have spread. Said when the base and wicked rise in power and the great and good disappear.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where great or powerful entities have fallen or perished, while small, insignificant, or weak entities are thriving or taking over. It highlights the irony of time or circumstances where the mighty fail and the lowly flourish.
Related Phrases
దొంగలు కొట్టిన ఆరు మాసములకు కుక్కలు మొరిగినవి.
dongalu kottina aru masamulaku kukkalu moriginavi.
The dogs barked six months after the robbery.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where action is taken far too late to be of any use. It highlights the futility of a delayed response or a 'better late than never' approach that is so delayed that the damage is long done and irrecoverable.
మూలలో చల్లిన ఉలవలు మూడు పువ్వులు ఆరు కాయలు
mulalo challina ulavalu mudu puvvulu aru kayalu
Horse gram scattered in a corner; three flowers and six fruits.
This expression is used to describe something that is flourishing, prospering, or growing rapidly beyond expectations. 'Mudu puvvulu aru kayalu' specifically refers to a state of great abundance and success.
మెత్తనాళ్ళు పోయినవి, చెత్తనాళ్ళు వచ్చినవి.
mettanallu poyinavi, chettanallu vachchinavi.
The soft/gentle days are gone, and the trashy/difficult days have arrived.
This expression is used to describe a transition from a period of prosperity, comfort, and easy living to a period of hardship, low quality, or unfavorable conditions. It highlights a decline in the standard or quality of life or circumstances.
ఆవుల మళ్లించినవాడు అర్జునుడు
avula mallinchinavadu arjunudu
Arjuna was the man who brought back the cows [ of Virāṭa ]. ( See Virāṭaparva of the Mahābhārata. ) Used when speaking of a man to whom the credit of any successful undertaking is really due.
This expression refers to a story from the Mahabharata (Virata Parva) where Arjuna, in disguise, single-handedly defeats the Kaurava army to rescue the stolen cattle of King Virata. In modern usage, it is used to describe a person who steps up in a crisis, takes full responsibility, and successfully completes a difficult task that others could not.
ఎల్లిని మల్లిచేయు మల్లిని ఎల్లిచేయు
ellini mallicheyu mallini ellicheyu
Turning Elli into Malli and Malli into Elli
This expression describes the act of causing total confusion or manipulating facts to make things unrecognizable. It is used when someone twists the truth, swaps identities, or complicates a simple situation to the point where the original context is lost. Often used to describe cunning or deceptive behavior.
కాకులు రోకళ్ళెత్తుక పోయినవి అన్నట్లు.
kakulu rokallettuka poyinavi annatlu.
Like saying crows carried away the heavy pounding-rods.
This expression is used to describe someone who mindlessly believes or repeats absurd, impossible stories without applying any common sense. It mocks gullibility or the act of making a ridiculous claim just because someone else said so.
నీళ్లలో నిమ్మలు బ్రతికినవి, అడివిలో తుమ్మలు బ్రతికినవి.
nillalo nimmalu bratikinavi, adivilo tummalu bratikinavi.
Lime trees lived in the water, acacia trees lived in the jungle. Very common.
This proverb is used to describe how different people or things thrive in their natural or specific environments. It suggests that survival depends on being in the right place or situation suited to one's nature. It can also be used to indicate that despite hardships or varying conditions, everyone finds a way to exist in their own niche.
కాటిలో పండినవీ కాకులు తిన్నవీ ఒకటే
katilo pandinavi kakulu tinnavi okate
Grains grown in a graveyard and those eaten by crows are the same.
This proverb is used to describe something that is completely useless or has gone to waste. Just as one cannot consume crops grown in a cemetery (due to cultural taboos) or food already pecked at by crows, it refers to resources or efforts that have no value or benefit to anyone.
నీళ్ళలో నిమ్మలు బ్రతికినవి, అడవిలో తుమ్మలు బ్రతికినవి
nillalo nimmalu bratikinavi, adavilo tummalu bratikinavi
Lemons survived in the water, and acacia trees survived in the forest.
This expression is used to describe a situation where life goes on naturally in its respective environment without much external help. It implies that every living being or entity finds a way to survive and thrive in its own habitat or circumstances. It is often used to reassure someone that things will naturally fall into place or that people will manage to get by in their own ways.
కాటిలో పండినవి కాకులు తిన్నవి
katilo pandinavi kakulu tinnavi
The crows ate up the fruit which grew in the forest. Property common to all.
This proverb refers to things that are produced or earned in an improper, unholy, or wasted manner, which ultimately go to waste or are consumed by undeserving people. It is used to describe efforts that yield no benefit to the rightful person or are squandered due to bad circumstances.
* Dli irati lances pedes habent, 14