కొత్త నీళ్లకు చేపలెదురెక్కినట్టు.
kotta nillaku chepaledurekkinattu.
Like fish going against the stream. Undertaking a difficult task. It is hard to swim against the stream. (Dutch.)
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is overly enthusiastic or eager to embrace new opportunities or changes, much like fish that instinctively swim against the current when fresh rainwater flows into a water body. It can also signify acting with sudden, renewed vigor.
Related Phrases
కోళ్లకు రెక్కలూ తాళ్లకు చండ్లూ ఉన్నట్లు
kollaku rekkalu tallaku chandlu unnatlu
Like chickens having wings and palm trees having udders.
This expression is used to describe something that is completely obvious or redundant. Just as it is common knowledge that chickens have wings and palm trees (or ropes/cables in some dialects) lack anatomical parts like udders, it refers to stating the obvious or describing a situation where everything is exactly as expected, often used in a sarcastic tone regarding redundant observations.
వేణ్ణీళ్ళకు చన్నీళ్ళు తోడైనట్టు
vennillaku channillu todainattu
Like adding cold water to hot water
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small amount of help or contribution is added to a larger effort. It signifies how even a minor assistance can complement or complete a task, much like how cold water helps bring boiling water to a usable temperature.
వేడినీళ్లకు చన్నీళ్లు, చన్నీళ్లకు వేడినీళ్లు.
vedinillaku channillu, channillaku vedinillu.
Cold water to hot water, hot water to cold water. The beneficial union of different dispositions.
This expression is used to describe mutual assistance or small contributions that complement each other. Just as mixing hot and cold water brings them to a comfortable temperature, it signifies how people help one another according to their capacity, or how small favors are returned to maintain balance in relationships.
కోళ్లకు రెక్కలూ తాళ్లకు చండ్లూ వున్నట్టు.
kollaku rekkalu tallaku chandlu vunnattu.
Like the wings of fowls, and the flower-stalks of palmyra trees.
This expression is used to describe things that are completely natural, obvious, or inherent to a situation. It points out that certain characteristics are just the way things are, often used to dismiss a silly question or to highlight a self-evident truth.
Domestic fowls make no use of their wings, and the flower-stalk ( spadix ) of the palmyra bears no fruit. Useless possessions.
కొత్తనీళ్ళకు చేపలెదురెళ్ళినట్లు
kottanillaku chepaledurellinatlu
Like fish swimming against the current of fresh waters.
This expression describes someone who is full of enthusiasm and vigor when faced with new opportunities or a fresh start. Just as fish instinctively swim upstream when fresh rainwater enters a stream, it refers to people moving forward with great zeal and energy towards something new or exciting.
నంగనాచి నీళ్లకు పోతే, నీళ్ళన్నీ ఒక రేవుకు వచ్చాయట.
nanganachi nillaku pote, nillanni oka revuku vachchayata.
When a pretentious woman went to fetch water, it's said all the water gathered at one bank.
This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be extremely innocent, delicate, or slow to the point of being useless or overly dramatic. It describes a situation where a person acts so 'special' or 'helpless' that they expect nature or others to conform specifically to their slow pace or behavior.
ముగ్గురెక్కిన బండి పొలిమేర దాటదు.
muggurekkina bandi polimera datadu.
A cart carrying three people will not cross the boundary.
This proverb is used to describe a superstition or a practical observation that when exactly three people travel together on a single vehicle or venture, it often encounters obstacles or fails to progress smoothly. It is frequently used to caution against groups of three starting a task or to explain why a particular joint effort is stalling.
చేపపిల్లకి ఈత నేర్పాలా?
chepapillaki ita nerpala?
Do you need to teach a baby fish how to swim?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to teach a skill to a person who is already naturally gifted or genetically predisposed to it. It implies that certain talents are inherent and do not require external instruction.
పోయిన నీళ్ళకు కట్ట కట్టినట్లు
poyina nillaku katta kattinatlu
Like building a dam after the water has already flowed away
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes corrective action or precautions after the damage has already been done and it is too late to be effective. It is similar to the English proverb 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
నిలకడలేని మాట నీళ్ళమూట
nilakadaleni mata nillamuta
An unstable word is like a bundle of water.
This proverb is used to describe a person who does not stick to their word or lacks consistency in their promises. Just as it is impossible to pack or carry water in a bundle, the promises of an inconsistent person have no substance and cannot be relied upon.