ముల్లు వచ్చి అరిటాకు మీద పడ్డా, అరిటాకు వచ్చి ముల్లు మీద పడ్డా ఆకుకే మోసం.
mullu vachchi aritaku mida padda, aritaku vachchi mullu mida padda akuke mosam.
Whether the thorn falls on the banana leaf, or the banana leaf falls on the thorn, it is the leaf that suffers.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a weak or vulnerable person is always the one at a disadvantage when dealing with someone powerful or harmful, regardless of who initiated the interaction. It suggests that in certain lopsided conflicts, the outcome is inevitably damaging for the fragile party.
Related Phrases
అద్దము మీద పెసరగింజ పడ్డట్టు
addamu mida pesaraginja paddattu
Like a Pesara seed on a looking glass. Used with reference to a remark aimed at a particular person, but con- veyed in such general terms that he is unable to take notice of it. He said devil, but meant you. (Dutch.)
This expression describes something that is extremely unstable or short-lived. Just as a small, round green gram seed cannot stay still on a smooth, slippery surface like a mirror and slides off immediately, this phrase is used to refer to people who don't stick to their word, or situations that are highly precarious and transient.
పాలకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచినట్లు.
palaku vachchi munta dachinatlu.
Like coming for milk but hiding the vessel.
This proverb is used to describe a person who approaches someone for help or with a specific purpose but hesitates to speak their mind or hides their true intentions due to shyness, false pride, or unnecessary secrecy. It highlights the irony of wanting something while being too secretive to ask for it.
గుడి వచ్చి మీద పడ్డట్టు
gudi vachchi mida paddattu
Like a temple coming and falling on you.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an unexpected, massive responsibility or a heavy burden suddenly falls upon someone without any prior warning or effort of their own. It is often used when an unavoidable problem or a huge task is thrust upon a person.
An unexpected calamity.
పాలకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచినట్టు
palaku vachchi munta dachinattu
Begging for milk and hiding his cup.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone approaches another person for help or a favor but is too hesitant, shy, or secretive to state their actual need. It highlights the irony of intending to ask for something while concealing the very tool or reason needed to receive it.
Poverty and pride.
మిన్ను విరిగి మీద పడ్డట్టు
minnu virigi mida paddattu
As if the sky had broken and fallen upon him. Said of any one sustaining a great shock by suddenly receiving bad news. Thunder-struck.
This expression is used to describe a sudden, overwhelming, or catastrophic event that happens unexpectedly. It conveys a sense of great shock or a situation where one feels like their entire world has collapsed instantly.
అరిటాకు వచ్చి ముల్లు మీద పడ్డా, ముల్లు వచ్చి అరిటాకు మీద పడ్డా, అరిటాకుకే నష్టం
aritaku vachchi mullu mida padda, mullu vachchi aritaku mida padda, aritakuke nashtam
Whether the banana leaf falls on the thorn or the thorn falls on the banana leaf, it is the banana leaf that gets damaged.
This proverb describes a situation where a weak person or entity is always the one at a disadvantage when in conflict with a strong or harmful one, regardless of who started the confrontation. It is used to advise caution and avoiding unnecessary friction with dangerous people or powerful opponents because the outcome will always be detrimental to the vulnerable party.
అరిటాకు వచ్చి ముల్లు మీద పడ్డా, ముల్లు వచ్చి అరిటాకు మీద పడ్డా నష్టపోయేది అరిటాకే.
aritaku vachchi mullu mida padda, mullu vachchi aritaku mida padda nashtapoyedi aritake.
The plantain leaf alike suffers, whether it falls on the thorn, or the thorn falls on it.
This proverb is used to illustrate a situation where a weak or vulnerable person always ends up losing when they collide or deal with a powerful or harmful entity, regardless of who started the conflict. It emphasizes that in an unequal match, the fragile side is always the victim.
అరటాకు మీద ముల్లు పడ్డా ముల్లు మీద అరటాకు పడ్డా, అరటాకుకే ముప్పు
arataku mida mullu padda mullu mida arataku padda, aratakuke muppu
Whether a thorn falls on a banana leaf or a banana leaf falls on a thorn, it is the banana leaf that suffers.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a vulnerable person is always at a disadvantage when dealing with a powerful or harmful entity, regardless of who initiated the conflict. It implies that the weak must be extra cautious because they will be the ones to get hurt in any encounter with the strong.
ఊరి మీద నూరు పడ్డా, కరణము మీద కాసు పడదు
uri mida nuru padda, karanamu mida kasu padadu
Though a hundred [pagodas] be levied from the village, not a cash will be paid by the Karanaṁ. A cash ( కాసు ) is 1-60th of an Anna. The instrument of oppression does not himself suffer.
This proverb describes a situation where an influential person or authority figure remains unaffected by the troubles or financial burdens that plague the community they oversee. It is used to highlight systemic corruption or the cleverness of bureaucrats who ensure their own safety and wealth while others suffer losses.
ముల్లొచ్చి అరిటాకుమీద పడ్డా, అరిటాకు వచ్చి ముల్లు మీద పడ్డా, అరిటాకుకే మోసం
mullochchi aritakumida padda, aritaku vachchi mullu mida padda, aritakuke mosam
Whether the thorn falls on the banana leaf, or the banana leaf falls on the thorn, it is the banana leaf that suffers.
This proverb is used to illustrate that in a conflict between a strong entity and a weak one, the weaker party will always be the one to suffer the damage, regardless of who initiated the confrontation. It serves as a warning for the vulnerable to be cautious and avoid unnecessary friction with those who are more powerful or harmful.