కుక్క తోక ఎప్పుడూ వంకరే.

kukka toka eppudu vankare.

Translation

A dog's tail is always crooked.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person's ingrained nature or habits that cannot be changed despite any amount of effort, advice, or correction. It is equivalent to the English expression 'A leopard cannot change its spots.'

Related Phrases

Who can straighten the curves of a river? Who can straighten a dog's tail?

This expression is used to describe a situation or a person's character that is inherently flawed or crooked and cannot be changed despite any amount of effort. It highlights the futility of trying to reform someone who is naturally stubborn or habitually prone to bad behavior.

Listening to hearsay leads to ruin.

This expression warns against acting upon rumors or gossip without verification. It suggests that paying heed to malicious talk or the instigations of others will ultimately lead to one's own downfall or harm.

Can those who cannot straighten a dog's tail straighten the bend of a river?

This proverb is used to mock people who attempt grand, impossible tasks when they have already failed at much smaller, simpler ones. It highlights the incompetence or overambition of an individual who cannot handle basic responsibilities yet claims to solve large-scale problems.

Once the need is fulfilled, the sister's husband is treated like a dog.

This proverb describes ingratitude. It is used to mock people who seek help from someone with great respect, but once their work is done or their need is met, they treat that same person with contempt or total disregard.

Like trying to cross the Godavari river by holding onto a dog's tail.

This proverb is used to describe a foolish or futile attempt to achieve a massive goal using unreliable or insufficient means. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a large river, relying on weak or incompetent support for a difficult task will inevitably lead to failure.

When he was at the point of death he cried "Śankara! Śankara!" (Siva.) Deathbed repentance.

This proverb is used to describe someone who waits until the very last moment or a crisis to seek help, turn to God, or do the right thing. It refers to a person who ignores their duties or avoids spiritual/ethical paths throughout their life, only to become desperately 'pious' or 'diligent' when they realize time has run out.

Black reveals four curves, while red hides seven curves.

This traditional Telugu proverb highlights the visual properties of colors in relation to physical appearance. It suggests that darker colors (black) tend to emphasize flaws, bends, or physical imperfections in an object or person, whereas brighter colors (specifically red) can mask or hide many more imperfections, making things look more attractive or seamless than they actually are.

Just because you say 'Shankara Shankara', will your mouth become crooked?

This proverb is used to mock someone's irrational fear or superstition that performing a simple, good, or harmless act will lead to a ridiculous physical deformity or negative consequence. It is often used to encourage someone to stop making excuses and just do what is necessary.

Like a cobra whose tail has been stepped on

This expression is used to describe someone who becomes extremely furious, aggressive, or reacts with intense anger when provoked. Just as a cobra strikes back instantly and fiercely when its tail is trodden upon, this phrase characterizes a person's sudden and violent retaliation to an insult or injury.

When asked 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, when will you go to sleep?', she replied 'I will go after killing you'.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is waiting for an opportunity or for someone to leave/relax, but the other person is so stubborn or hostile that they refuse to give in or intend to cause harm before they yield. It is used to illustrate deep-seated animosity or someone being extremely difficult to deal with.