గోరంత అంత కండి కొండవుతుంది
goranta anta kandi kondavutundi
A small grain becomes a mountain
This expression is used to describe a situation that starts as a minor issue but escalates into a major problem, or when someone exaggerates a tiny matter into something significant. It is similar to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.
Related Phrases
కాని కాలమునకు కర్రే పాము అవుతుంది.
kani kalamunaku karre pamu avutundi.
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.
వాడి మాట పిండికీ అవుతుంది, పిడుక్కూ అవుతుంది
vadi mata pindiki avutundi, pidukku avutundi
His speech will answer for flour or for a thunderbolt. Said of an ambiguous speech.
This expression is used to describe a person who speaks with clever ambiguity or doublespeak. Their words are crafted in such a way that they can be interpreted in two completely different ways depending on the outcome, allowing them to claim they were right regardless of what happens.
కొండలు పిండి కొట్టినట్లు
kondalu pindi kottinatlu
Like grinding mountains into powder
This expression is used to describe a person who possesses extraordinary strength, capability, or determination. It characterizes someone who can achieve seemingly impossible tasks or overcome massive obstacles with great ease or force.
రెండు చేతులతో కొడితేనే చప్పుడవుతుంది.
rendu chetulato koditene chappudavutundi.
A sound is made only when you clap with both hands.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'It takes two to tango.' It is used to suggest that in a conflict, argument, or a specific situation involving two parties, one person alone is rarely responsible; both sides usually contribute to the outcome.
అంటే ఆరడి అవుతుంది, అనకుంటే అలుసవుతుంది.
ante aradi avutundi, anakunte alusavutundi.
If spoken, it becomes a scandal; if not spoken, it becomes a source of contempt.
This proverb describes a 'catch-22' or a dilemma where a person is stuck between two bad options. It is used when pointing out a mistake might lead to public embarrassment or unwanted drama (aaradi), but staying silent might lead others to take one's patience for granted or treat them with disrespect (alusu).
మంది పలుచనైతే, గంజి చిక్కన అవుతుంది.
mandi paluchanaite, ganji chikkana avutundi.
If the crowd becomes thin, the porridge becomes thick.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where fewer people sharing a limited resource results in a larger or better portion for each individual. It is often used in a sarcastic or cynical context to suggest that having fewer people around (or less competition) is beneficial for personal gain.
కల నిజమవుతుందా? కాకి కోకిలవుతుందా!
kala nijamavutunda? kaki kokilavutunda!
Will a dream come true? Can a crow become a cuckoo!
This expression is used to convey extreme skepticism or to dismiss an idea as impossible. It suggests that just as a crow can never transform into a melodious cuckoo, certain unrealistic dreams or expectations will never manifest into reality. It is often used to ground someone who is being overly idealistic or delusional.
పచ్చికాయ తుంచినా పండవుతుందా?
pachchikaya tunchina pandavutunda?
Will a raw fruit ripen just because you pluck it?
This proverb is used to convey that things cannot be rushed before their natural time. Just as plucking a raw fruit prematurely doesn't make it ripe or sweet, forcing a process or a person to yield results before they are ready will not lead to success. It emphasizes patience and the importance of timing.
కాని కాలానికి కర్రే పాము అవుతుంది
kani kalaniki karre pamu avutundi
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.
ఉల్లి మల్లి అవుతుందా, ఉంచుకున్నది పెళ్ళాం అవుతుందా?
ulli malli avutunda, unchukunnadi pellam avutunda?
Will an onion ever become a jasmine flower? Will a mistress ever become a wife?
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to express the idea that things have an inherent nature or status that cannot be changed. It suggests that a substitute or an informal arrangement can never truly replace or equate to the original, formal, or sanctified version of something. It is often used to emphasize that some boundaries or social roles are permanent.