నేలమీద ఈత నేర్చుకున్నట్లు
nelamida ita nerchukunnatlu
Like learning how to swim on the ground
This expression is used to describe someone who tries to gain practical skills or experience through theoretical study alone, without ever entering the actual field of action. Just as one cannot learn to swim without getting into the water, certain tasks cannot be mastered without real-world practice.
Related Phrases
మనమడు నేర్చుకొన్నట్టు, అవ్వకు దురద తీరినట్టు.
manamadu nerchukonnattu, avvaku durada tirinattu.
The grandson learnt his lesson, and the grandmother's itching was taken away. The grandmother made her grandson write the alphabet on her back. To kill two birds with one stone. To bring down two apples with one stick. (Dutch.)
This proverb describes a situation where a single action serves two purposes or benefits two people simultaneously. It specifically refers to a scenario where a task performed by a novice for practice (like a grandson learning to scratch or massage) happens to solve a problem or provide comfort to someone else (the grandmother). It is used when a win-win situation occurs, especially when one person's learning process fulfills another person's need.
ఆకువేసి, నేలమీద వడ్డించినట్లు.
akuvesi, nelamida vaddinchinatlu.
Like laying a leaf but serving the food on the floor.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task halfway or ruins a good deed with a major mistake at the end. It refers to someone who follows the protocol of setting a leaf for a meal but fails the purpose by serving the food directly on the ground instead of on the leaf.
నేర్చి చెప్పిన మాట నెరవాది మాట
nerchi cheppina mata neravadi mata
The word spoken with learning is the word of an expert.
This expression emphasizes that knowledge and skill bring weight to one's words. It suggests that when someone speaks after truly learning or mastering a subject, their words carry authority and wisdom, distinguishing them as a capable or clever person (Neravaadi).
రంకునేర్చిన దానికి బొంకు నేర్చింది తోడు
rankunerchina daniki bonku nerchindi todu
For the one who learned to have an illicit affair, the one who learned to lie is a companion.
This proverb describes how one bad habit or vice often leads to another. Specifically, it implies that to hide a significant misdeed, one must inevitably resort to lying. It is used to suggest that moral failings or deceptive behaviors usually go hand in hand.
అత్తవల్ల దొంగతనమున్ను, మగనివల్ల రంకున్ను నేర్చుకొన్నట్టు
attavalla dongatanamunnu, maganivalla rankunnu nerchukonnattu
Deceitfulness is learnt from a mother-in-law, adultery is learnt from a husband. Jealous watching leads to unfaithfulness. At the gate where suspicion enters, love goes out. If the wife sins, the husband is not innocent. (Italian.)
This proverb describes a situation where the very people who are supposed to protect and guide someone are the ones teaching them bad habits or corruption. It is used when a person picks up vices from their own guardians or authorities.
బొంక నేర్చి, బొంకు అంకు నేర్వాలి
bonka nerchi, bonku anku nervali
Learn to lie, then learn to support that lie.
This expression suggests that if one chooses to tell a lie, they must also have the cleverness and consistency to maintain it without getting caught. It is used to remark on the complexity of deception and the need for a 'logical cover' when being dishonest.
ఆడలేక మద్దెల ఓడు అన్నట్లు
adaleka maddela odu annatlu
Not being able to dance, she abused the drum. A bad workman complains of his tools. An ill shearer never got a hook. (Scots.)
This expression is used to describe a person who blames their tools, environment, or others for their own lack of skill or failure. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'A bad workman always blames his tools'.
మనమడు నేర్చుకున్నట్టు, అవ్వకు దురద తీరినట్టు
manamadu nerchukunnattu, avvaku durada tirinattu
Like the grandson learning and the grandmother's itch being relieved.
This proverb describes a situation that serves two purposes or benefits two people simultaneously. It refers to a grandmother teaching her grandson how to scratch her back; while the boy learns a task, the grandmother gets relief from her itch. It is used when an action results in a win-win outcome or when someone gets a personal benefit while performing a duty.
పండు పండిన చెట్టు పట్టంగ నేర్చునా
pandu pandina chettu pattanga nerchuna
Will a tree with ripened fruit learn to bend?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is set in their ways or too old/experienced to change their habits or character. Just as a tree that has already yielded ripe fruit is firm and cannot be easily molded or bent like a young sapling, an elderly or established person may find it difficult to adopt new behaviors or unlearn old ones.
చేప పిల్లకు ఈత నేర్పవలెనా?
chepa pillaku ita nerpavalena?
Must you teach a young fish to swim ?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone possesses an innate talent or natural skill inherited from their ancestors or environment. It implies that certain skills come naturally to people based on their background, and they do not require formal training for them.
Don't teach fish to swim. (French.)*