ముండ్ల మీద పడ్డ గుడ్డ మెల్లగా తీసుకోవలెను.
mundla mida padda gudda mellaga tisukovalenu.
The cloth which has fallen upon thorns must be taken off slowly.
This expression is used to advise patience and caution when dealing with delicate situations or difficult people. Just as rushing to pull a cloth off thorns would tear it, being hasty or aggressive in sensitive matters can cause more damage. It suggests that tact and composure are necessary to solve tricky problems.
Related Phrases
మిద్దె మీద పొట్టు, మీసాల మీద మెట్టు.
midde mida pottu, misala mida mettu.
Husks on the terrace, pride on the mustache.
This proverb is used to describe a person who maintains a false sense of pride or prestige (symbolized by the mustache) despite being extremely poor or having nothing of value (symbolized by having only useless husks on their roof). It refers to people who prioritize outward appearances over their actual dire situation.
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.
కూర్చుండి తింటే కొండలైనా కరిగిపోతాయి
kurchundi tinte kondalaina karigipotayi
One must sit first, and then lie down. Said to a man inclined to do a thing hastily. First creep, then go.
This proverb is used to warn that if one only consumes wealth without working to earn or replenish it, even the vastest fortunes will eventually be exhausted. It emphasizes the importance of hard work and the dangers of laziness or dependency on inheritance.
అరచేతిలో ఉప్పు పెట్టినా ఆరు నెలలు తలచుకోవాలి
arachetilo uppu pettina aru nelalu talachukovali
If he puts a little salt in the palm of your hand, you should think of it for six months. The duty of gratitude.
This expression emphasizes the virtue of gratitude. It suggests that one should be thankful and remember even the smallest act of kindness or the tiniest gift (symbolized by a pinch of salt) for a long time. It is used to teach people not to be ungrateful for the help they receive.
ఆడేది అడ్డనామాలు పెడితే, పాడేది పంగనామాలు పెట్టినట్టు.
adedi addanamalu pedite, padedi panganamalu pettinattu.
If the dancer puts on horizontal marks, the singer puts on vertical marks.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people are competing in their eccentricities, mistakes, or exaggerations. It implies that if one person goes to one extreme, the other goes even further to outdo them, usually in a negative or ridiculous way.
బురద గుంటలో పడ్డ పేడ పురుగు లాగా.
burada guntalo padda peda purugu laga.
Like a beetle (lit. a cowdung worm) fallen into a mire pit. Said of a man being in an harassing service from which he cannot escape, &c.
This expression describes someone who is hopelessly stuck in a bad situation or a messy problem. Just as a dung beetle struggles to move in sticky mud, it refers to a person who is struggling in vain or is deeply entangled in complications from which they cannot easily escape.
కాలు జారితే తీసుకో వచ్చునుగాని, నోరు జారితే తీసుకోలేము
kalu jarite tisuko vachchunugani, noru jarite tisukolemu
If your foot slips you may recover your balance, but if your mouth slips you cannot recall your words. A slip of the foot may be soon recovered; but that of the tongue perhaps never. Better a slip of the foot than of the tongue. (French.)* A word and a stone once let go cannot be recalled. (Spanish.)
This proverb emphasizes the permanence of spoken words. While a physical fall or slip can be recovered from, words spoken carelessly or hurtfully cannot be retracted once they are out. It is used as a caution to think carefully before speaking.
* Mieux vaut glisser du pied que de la langue. † Palabra y piedra suele no tiene vuelta.
రేగుకంపపై గుడ్డవేసి తీసుకొన్నట్లు
regukampapai guddavesi tisukonnatlu
Like removing a cloth that has fallen on a jujube thorn bush.
This expression describes a situation that requires extreme patience, tact, and careful handling. Just as pulling a cloth off a thorny bush too quickly would tear it, certain delicate problems or relationships must be handled slowly and cautiously to avoid damage or worsening the situation.
మిద్దె మీద పరుగు మీసాల మీద మెరుగు
midde mida parugu misala mida merugu
Running on the roof and shining the mustache.
This expression refers to someone who focuses on outward appearances, vanity, or superficial shows of status while lacking actual substance, property, or a solid foundation. It describes a person who prioritizes pride and showing off over practical stability.
గుడ్డి కన్నా మెల్ల మేలు.
guddi kanna mella melu.
A squint eye is better than a blind eye.
This proverb is used to convey that having something imperfect or partial is better than having nothing at all. It is similar to the English expression 'Half a loaf is better than no bread' or 'Something is better than nothing.'
Of two evils choose the least.