కాని కాలానికి కప్ప దయ్యమవుతుంది
kani kalaniki kappa dayyamavutundi
In unfavorable times, even a frog becomes a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe how when someone's luck is bad or they are going through a period of misfortune, even the smallest, most insignificant problems or people can become major obstacles and cause significant trouble.
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.
రాని కాలానికి రాని పాట్లు.
rani kalaniki rani patlu.
Unprecedented troubles for unprecedented times.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one encounters strange, unexpected, or extraordinary difficulties that have never been seen before. It often refers to a period of bad luck or changing times where the nature of problems is uniquely challenging or bizarre.
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.
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'.
మంచి కాలానికి మామిళ్ళు, చెడు కాలానికి చింతలు కాస్తాయట.
manchi kalaniki mamillu, chedu kalaniki chintalu kastayata.
Mangoes bloom during good times, tamarinds bloom during bad times.
This proverb suggests that positive and sweet experiences (symbolized by mangoes) arrive during prosperous or favorable periods, whereas sour struggles and worries (symbolized by tamarinds/worries, as 'chinta' means both tamarind and worry in Telugu) are prevalent during difficult times. It is used to describe the cyclic nature of fortune and misfortune.
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.
కాలి కాలన మొండి కట్టె
kali kalana mondi katte
A half-burnt log. Said of a mean spirited creature who resents no affront.
This expression refers to a person who is extremely stubborn, obstinate, or unresponsive to advice and logic. Just as a partially burnt, thick log of wood is difficult to handle and neither fully burns away nor remains useful, this phrase describes a person whose behavior is difficult to change or manage.
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.
కాని కాలానికి కట్టె పామై కరుస్తుంది
kani kalaniki katte pamai karustundi
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.
కాని కాలానికి కంది అయినా కాయదు
kani kalaniki kandi ayina kayadu
In bad times, even a pigeon pea plant will not bear fruit
This proverb describes a period of misfortune where even the simplest or most reliable tasks fail to yield results. It is used to express that when luck is against someone, even their best efforts and usually dependable resources will let them down.