కుంటకట్టమీద కుర్చీ వేస్తే కూచొని లేచేసరికి కట్ట మింగింది.
kuntakattamida kurchi veste kuchoni lechesariki katta mingindi.
By the time one sits in a chair placed on a pond's bank and stands up, the bank has swallowed the chair.
This expression is used to describe an extremely rapid or sudden loss, or a situation where something disappears or is destroyed in the blink of an eye. It highlights instability and the unpredictability of certain circumstances where even a brief moment of relaxation can lead to a total loss.
Related Phrases
అత్తమీద కోపం దుత్తమీద చూపినట్లు
attamida kopam duttamida chupinatlu
Showing anger towards the mother-in-law on the earthen pot.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes out their frustration or anger on an innocent person or an inanimate object because they cannot confront the actual person who caused the anger. It is used to highlight displaced aggression or venting on a weaker or easier target.
మామ బంతికి కూర్చోని, అత్త బంతికి లేస్తాడు
mama bantiki kurchoni, atta bantiki lestadu
He sits down at the father-in-law's feast and gets up at the mother-in-law's feast.
This expression describes a person who is extremely lazy or an opportunist who overstays their welcome. It refers to someone who starts eating when one meal begins and continues sitting there until the next meal starts, essentially doing nothing but eating and lingering for a very long time.
వేలికి వేస్తే మెలిక, కాలికి వేస్తే బంధం
veliki veste melika, kaliki veste bandham
If put on the finger it's a twist, if put on the leg it's a shackle.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or versatile in making excuses. It refers to a person who can adapt their behavior or arguments to any situation just to get their way—if you try to catch them one way, they twist out of it; if you try another, they bind you instead.
చీర సింగారించేసరికి ఊరు మాటుమణిగింది
chira singarinchesariki uru matumanigindi
By the time the saree was adorned, the village had fallen silent.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes so long to get ready or prepare for an event that by the time they are done, the event is over or it is too late to be of any use. It highlights the consequences of excessive delay and poor time management.
ఉత్తరలో ఊడ్చేకంటే, గట్ల మీద కూర్చుని ఏడ్చేది మేలు
uttaralo udchekante, gatla mida kurchuni edchedi melu
It is better to sit on the bunds and cry than to transplant (paddy) during the Uttara Nakshatra rain.
This is an agricultural proverb related to the monsoon calendar. If a farmer transplants crops during the Uttara rains (late monsoon), the yields will be so poor that the effort is wasted. It signifies the importance of timing in agriculture and suggests that doing something at the wrong time is more detrimental than not doing it at all.
వేలుకు వేస్తే కాలికి, కాలికి వేస్తే వేలికి.
veluku veste kaliki, kaliki veste veliki.
If put on the finger it goes to the toe, and if put on the toe it goes to the finger.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely manipulative, inconsistent, or shifty in their speech. It refers to someone who changes their story or logic constantly to suit their convenience, making it impossible to pin them down to a single fact or commitment.
కూర్చుంటే కుంటి, లేస్తే లేడి
kurchunte kunti, leste ledi
Lame while sitting, a deer when standing.
This expression is used to describe a person who pretends to be lazy, weak, or incapable when asked to do work, but becomes extremely quick, active, and energetic when it comes to their own interests, food, or play.
చీపురుకట్టకు పట్టుకుచ్చు కట్టినట్లు
chipurukattaku pattukuchchu kattinatlu
A silk tassel to a broom.
This expression is used to describe an absurd or mismatched combination where something very beautiful, expensive, or high-quality is wasted on or attached to something lowly, ugly, or insignificant. It highlights the incongruity and pointlessness of such an arrangement.
The grand appearance of a worthless person. A leaden sword in an ivory scabbard.
అంగడి మీద చేతులు, అత్తమీద కన్ను.
angadi mida chetulu, attamida kannu.
Hands on the shop, eyes on the mother-in-law.
This proverb describes someone who is physically performing a task in one place (like working in a shop) but is mentally preoccupied or keeping a suspicious eye on someone else (the mother-in-law) to ensure they aren't being cheated or monitored. It is used to describe a person who lacks focus or is overly suspicious of others while working.
అత్త మీద కోపం దుత్త మీద చూపించినట్టు
atta mida kopam dutta mida chupinchinattu
Like showing anger toward the mother-in-law on the earthen pot.
This expression describes a situation where someone takes out their frustration or anger on an innocent third party or an inanimate object because they cannot confront the person who actually caused the provocation. It is similar to the concept of 'displaced aggression'.