ముందరికి వచ్చి కాలు విరగగొట్టుకున్నట్లు
mundariki vachchi kalu viragagottukunnatlu
Like stepping forward and breaking one's own leg.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to help or intervene in a matter results in an unexpected self-inflicted injury, loss, or trouble. It highlights the irony of facing a setback precisely when trying to make progress or be proactive.
Related Phrases
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.
ఊరి ముందరికి వచ్చి నా పెళ్లాం పిల్లలు ఎట్లా ఉన్నారని అడిగినాడట
uri mundariki vachchi na pellam pillalu etla unnarani adiginadata
He came to the outskirts of the village and asked " How are my wife and children ?" A few yards more would have enabled the man to judge for himself. Said of impatience.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks patience or common sense. It refers to someone who is so close to their destination or a source of information that they could easily find out the truth themselves, yet they choose to ask others for the answer prematurely. It highlights unnecessary anxiety or a foolish shortcut.
కాలుజారితే పడి, నేల అచ్చి వచ్చిందికాదు అన్నట్లు.
kalujarite padi, nela achchi vachchindikadu annatlu.
Like saying the ground was not lucky after slipping and falling down.
This expression is used to describe someone who tries to cover up their own mistakes or lack of skill by blaming external factors or circumstances. It is similar to the English proverb, 'A bad workman blames his tools.'
కూలికి వచ్చి పాలికి మాట్లాడినట్లు
kuliki vachchi paliki matladinatlu
Coming for daily wages but asking for a share in the property.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is hired for a small task or holds a subordinate position oversteps their boundaries and demands authority, ownership, or a share in the profits. It highlights the audacity of a person who forgets their actual status and expects more than what they are entitled to.
నట్టేటిలో పడ్డ సొమ్ము నట్టింటికి వచ్చినట్లు.
nattetilo padda sommu nattintiki vachchinatlu.
Like wealth fallen in the middle of a river returning to the center of the house.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something valuable that was thought to be lost forever or irrecoverable is unexpectedly and miraculously recovered. It signifies an unlikely but welcome stroke of luck or the return of lost assets.
ముందరి కాళ్లకు బందాలు వేసి ముండల తాళ్లు తెంపేవాడు
mundari kallaku bandalu vesi mundala tallu tempevadu
A man who ties the fore legs together and breaks the widows' cords. Said of a crafty swindler, who having made his victim as helpless as an animal whose fore feet have been tied together proceeds to plunder. Widows wear no cords ; the expression signifies a state of helplessness.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely clever, mischievous, or deceitful in a destructive way. It refers to someone who can simultaneously perform a restrictive action (like hobbling an animal) and a socially disruptive or cruel action (like breaking a widow's traditional bond). In modern usage, it often characterizes a person who is capable of doing anything, often implying they are a cunning troublemaker or a 'smart aleck' who creates chaos.
వచ్చిన వారికి వరమిస్తాను, రాని వారికి రాయి వేస్తాను
vachchina variki varamistanu, rani variki rayi vestanu
I will grant a boon to those who come, and cast a stone on those who do not come. Supposed to have been said by a deity. Used threateningly by a great personage.
This expression is used to describe a person who shows extreme favoritism or bias. It implies that the person rewards those who comply with their wishes or approach them, while actively punishing or sabotaging those who do not follow their lead or stay away. It highlights a dual nature of being overly generous to allies and hostile to others.
కూలికి వచ్చి పాలికి మాట్లాడినట్టు.
kuliki vachchi paliki matladinattu.
He came for hire, and asked for a share [in the business]. A cool request.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, despite having a very minor or temporary role in a task or organization, tries to claim ownership, authority, or a large share of the profits. It highlights the audacity of someone overstepping their boundaries.
తిండికి వచ్చావా? తీర్థానికి వచ్చావా?
tindiki vachchava? tirthaniki vachchava?
Have you come to eat or to visit the shrine ?
This expression is used to question a person's priorities or motives when they seem more interested in superficial benefits (like food) rather than the primary purpose or spiritual significance of an event (like receiving holy water at a temple). It is often used to chide someone who is distracted by secondary perks.
మేలు మేలంటే, మెడ విరగపడ్డట్టు.
melu melante, meda viragapaddattu.
When they cried "Bravo! Bravo!" he jumped down and broke his neck. Said of a vain man, who makes a fool of himself to please others.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to help or do something good backfires or results in unintended harm. It describes an act of kindness that leads to a disaster, or a situation where a small request for a favor results in a disproportionate problem.