ముక్కు మూసుకుంటే మూడు గడియలు

mukku musukunte mudu gadiyalu

Translation

If you hold your nose, three gadiyas (72 minutes).

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a short-lived pain, struggle, or difficult period. It suggests that if one can endure a brief moment of intense discipline or discomfort, the challenge will soon pass. It is often used to encourage perseverance through temporary hardships.

Related Phrases

If a brick floats, there will be rain for seven hours.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb or folk saying used to describe an extremely heavy or impossible-looking downpour. In reality, bricks do not float; therefore, the expression suggests that if conditions are so unusual that a brick floats, the ensuing rain will be long-lasting and intense. It is often used to emphasize the severity of a storm.

A pearl if touched, gold if held.

This expression is used to describe someone or something of exceptional quality, value, or purity. It is often used as a compliment for a well-behaved child, a virtuous person, or a piece of work that is flawless and precious.

When told 'The Kadiyala family has arrived', he asked 'Do they want bracelets?'

This proverb is used to mock people who take things too literally or misunderstand context by focusing only on the phonetics of a word. 'Kadiyala' is a common Telugu surname, but the listener confuses it with the jewelry 'Kadiyalu' (bracelets), showing a lack of common sense or social awareness.

Close (your mouth) and sit

This is a blunt and often rude expression used to tell someone to shut up or stay quiet. It is commonly used when someone is talking unnecessarily, annoying others, or meddling in affairs that do not concern them. It literally instructs the person to 'shut it' and remain still.

Like pressing the nose while showing affection with a kiss

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to show love, kindness, or help actually results in causing harm or annoyance. It refers to people who do not know the boundaries of affection or how to help properly, ending up being counterproductive.

Minor authority in a village lasts for ten hours.

This proverb describes a situation where someone exercises small-scale, insignificant authority or interference in petty matters. It implies that such power is short-lived and lacks real substance or long-term impact.

If carried on the hip, it is affection; if carried on the head, it is a nuisance.

This proverb highlights the importance of maintaining boundaries and limits. It suggests that while showing affection or giving support is good, over-indulging someone or giving them too much freedom/authority can lead to them becoming a burden or acting out of place. It is often used to warn against spoiling children or being overly lenient with subordinates.

If it lightens in the west, it will rain in ten 'Gadiyas'.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb used to predict weather. A 'Gadiya' is a traditional unit of time equal to 24 minutes. The saying suggests that lightning in the western sky is a reliable sign that rainfall will occur within approximately 4 hours (10 gadiyas). It reflects the ancient wisdom of farmers who relied on natural observations for weather forecasting.

The rough man's anger is on his nose. Said of a very bad tempered man.

This expression is used to describe someone who gets angry very easily and quickly (short-tempered). The 'tip of the nose' symbolizes how close the anger is to surfacing at any moment, especially in individuals who are impulsive or stubborn.

The veil costs three thousand, but the doll inside it is worth only three cents.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the external packaging, decoration, or hype significantly exceeds the actual value or quality of the person or object inside. It highlights hypocrisy or the disparity between outward appearance and inner reality.