ముదికొమ్మ వంగదు
mudikomma vangadu
The old bough will not bend.
This proverb is similar to 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.' It suggests that habits, character, or learning are easy to shape during youth, but once someone becomes set in their ways or reaches old age, they are resistant to change or discipline.
It is not easy to straighten in the oak the crook that grew in the sapling. (Geet.)
Related Phrases
పట్టినది చింత కొమ్మ గాని ములగ కొమ్మ కాదు
pattinadi chinta komma gani mulaga komma kadu
What I am clinging to is a Tamarind bough, not a Mulaga. The tamarind wood is pliable, but the Mulaga ( Hyperanthera Moringa ) is brittle. Said by a parasite of his staunch protector.
This expression is used to describe someone who is firm, reliable, and strong. A tamarind branch is known for its extreme flexibility and strength (it doesn't break easily), whereas a drumstick branch is very brittle and snaps quickly. It is used to compliment someone's resilience or to indicate that a task or person is more formidable than they appear.
కంతి తలగడగాదు, కల నిజంగాదు.
kanti talagadagadu, kala nijangadu.
A goiter is not a pillow, and a dream is not the truth.
This proverb is used to warn against relying on false hopes or deceptive appearances. Just as a swelling (goiter) on the neck cannot serve as a comfortable pillow despite its shape, a dream cannot be treated as reality. It emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between painful burdens and actual comforts, as well as between fantasy and facts.
యముడికీ శివుడికీ వెరువనివాడు
yamudiki shivudiki veruvanivadu
One who fears neither Yama nor Shiva.
This expression describes an exceptionally bold, fearless, or reckless individual. Yama is the god of death and Shiva is the god of destruction; by saying someone doesn't fear either, it implies they are not afraid of death, divine consequences, or any supreme power. It is often used to describe someone who takes extreme risks or acts with total defiance.
నిలవ నీడ, పట్టుకొమ్మ లేదు
nilava nida, pattukomma ledu
No shade to stand under, or branch to clutch. Helpless and forlorn.
This expression is used to describe a person who is completely destitute, homeless, or lacking any form of support system. It signifies a state of total helplessness where someone has no place to stay and no one to rely on for help.
పట్టిందల్లా బంగారమే
pattindalla bangarame
Whatever one touches becomes gold
This expression is used to describe a person who is currently experiencing a period of extreme good luck or success. Every venture they undertake or every decision they make leads to a positive outcome, similar to the legend of King Midas.
సగం కొమ్మ చక్కగా ఎత్తినట్టు
sagam komma chakkaga ettinattu
Like lifting half a branch perfectly.
This expression is used to describe a person who claims to have done a great job or performed a difficult task, while in reality, they have only done a partial or mediocre job. It highlights pretense and the act of making a small effort look like a significant achievement.
ఇంటికొమ్ము అంటే బట్టెకొమ్ము అన్నట్లు
intikommu ante battekommu annatlu
Like saying 'buffalo horn' when someone says 'house gable'
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a complete lack of understanding or irrelevant communication between two people. It refers to someone giving a totally unrelated or absurd answer to a question, or a listener completely misinterpreting what was said due to lack of attention or intelligence.
పట్టింది చింత కొమ్మ గాని ములగకొమ్మ కాదు
pattindi chinta komma gani mulagakomma kadu
What was grabbed is a tamarind branch, not a drumstick (moringa) branch.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is stubborn or persistent in their stance. Tamarind branches are strong and flexible, making them hard to break, whereas drumstick branches are brittle and break easily. It implies that the person has taken a firm hold of a situation or opinion and will not let go or be easily defeated.
ముదికొమ్మ ముదిమాను చేప
mudikomma mudimanu chepa
An old branch, an old trunk, and a fish.
This proverb is used to describe things or people that are extremely stubborn or difficult to deal with due to their age or maturity. Just as an old branch is hard to bend, an old tree trunk is hard to cut, and an old fish is difficult to catch or cook, this expression highlights that seasoned entities possess a resilience or rigidity that makes them unyielding.
ముదికొమ్మ వంగదు, ముది కొమ్మ కనదు
mudikomma vangadu, mudi komma kanadu
An old branch will not bend, an old branch will not bear fruit.
This proverb emphasizes that it is difficult to change one's habits, learn new skills, or be productive in a specific way once they have reached a certain age or stage in life. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.' It suggests that discipline and learning should happen while one is young and flexible.