నక్క వచ్చి కుక్క తోక సవరించినట్లు

This expression describes a situation where someone performs a trivial or pointless task in a desperate attempt to save face or maintain dignity while facing a major humiliation or total rejection. It refers to a person who, upon being expelled from a home, stays back to organize the kitchen pots instead of leaving immediately, showing an inability to grasp the gravity of their situation.

This expression suggests that basic inherent traits or nature cannot be changed regardless of the circumstances or the food one consumes. It is used to describe a person who continues their characteristic behavior (often flattery or subservience) despite their current state or status.

This proverb highlights the folly of relying on weak or incompetent means to achieve a monumental or difficult task. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a vast river, choosing the wrong person or tool for a major responsibility will inevitably lead to failure.

This expression is used to describe a person who goes on a great or sacred journey (or takes on a significant opportunity) but returns with something worthless or engages in something trivial and disgraceful. It highlights the irony of wasting a valuable opportunity or a holy pilgrimage by focusing on or bringing back something foul.

This expression is used to describe a person who experiences sudden, unexpected good luck or success through a minor or unlikely connection. It mocks the idea that a trivial action could lead to a monumental achievement, or describes someone who believes they have achieved greatness through sheer luck rather than merit.

This expression describes a situation where someone relies on a weak, unreliable, or incapable person/resource to overcome a massive challenge. Just as a dog is not strong enough to pull a human across a vast river like the Godavari, choosing an incompetent mentor or a flawed strategy will lead to failure.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is in a deep mess or trouble acts ungratefully or aggressively toward the person trying to help them. It refers to misplaced hostility from a person in a desperate situation.

A young, inexperienced man ridiculing an elder one. It is better to learn to respect the elderly and experienced people, and, if possible, learn from their expertise gained over many years.

This proverb describes a situation where someone relies on a weak or unreliable person/method to achieve a massive task. Just as a dog is not a strong enough swimmer to pull a human across a vast river like the Godavari, choosing an incompetent mentor or a flawed strategy will lead to certain failure.

This proverb is used to emphasize that no matter how deep an illusion, an escape, or a terrible situation may be, one must eventually return to reality and face the facts of life. It highlights the inevitability of facing the truth.