కాలం కలిసి రాక పోతె, కర్రె పామై కాటు వేస్తుంది.

kalam kalisi raka pote, karre pamai katu vestundi.

Translation

If time is not favorable, even a stick becomes a snake and bites.

Meaning

Adverse circumstances make matters worse when times are not favorable.

Related Phrases

In bad times, even a stick turns into a snake.

This proverb is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when luck is against you, even harmless or helpful objects (like a walking stick) can become sources of danger or obstacles (like a snake). It is used to express how vulnerability increases during a streak of bad luck.

As long as hands and feet are working, time will pass.

This expression emphasizes the importance of physical health and self-reliance. It implies that as long as a person is physically capable and mobile, they can work, earn, and sustain themselves without depending on others.

If destiny is unfavorable, even the garment on your body will turn into a snake and bite you.

This proverb describes the height of misfortune. It implies that when a person is going through a period of extreme bad luck or ill-fate, even the most harmless and trusted things around them will turn hostile and cause them harm. It is used to express that no amount of precaution can save someone if their time is bad.

Bind the community, hold the pen

This expression emphasizes the importance of education and social unity within a community. It suggests that for a community to progress, people must remain united (community bond) and focus on education and literacy (holding the pen) as tools for empowerment.

If the swords meet, the partnership/alliance meets.

This expression is used to describe a situation where mutual interests, particularly regarding power or conflict, lead to an alliance. It suggests that once people recognize each other's strength or engage in a common struggle, they are more likely to form a cooperative bond or partnership.

When time is up, even the end of one's saree can turn into a snake and bite.

This proverb conveys the idea of fatalism or destiny. It means that when someone's bad time or end arrives, even the most harmless and familiar things can turn into sources of danger or destruction. It is used to describe situations where everything goes wrong despite precautions.

In your evil hour your own stick will become a snake. i. e. your own friends will turn against you.

This proverb signifies that when luck is against someone or when times are unfavorable, even the most harmless or helpful things can turn into sources of trouble. It is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong unexpectedly.

In bad times, even a stick turns into a snake and bites.

This proverb is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when one is going through a streak of bad luck, even harmless objects or trusted situations can unexpectedly cause harm or turn against them.

When times are not favorable, even one's wife can bite like a scorpion

This proverb describes the misfortune of bad timing or a period of bad luck. It suggests that when one is going through a terrible phase in life, even the most trusted people or reliable things will turn against them or cause unexpected harm. It is used to express how everything seems to go wrong simultaneously during hard times.

If time and fate do not align, even the Sun God (the friend of the lotus) cannot escape troubles.

This proverb emphasizes the power of destiny and timing. It suggests that when one's luck or fate is unfavorable, even the most powerful or divine beings must face hardships. It is used to express that certain failures or struggles are inevitable due to cosmic timing, regardless of one's capability.