నిలవడానికి చోటు దొరికితే, కూర్చోవడానికి చోటు అదే దొరుకుతుంది
nilavadaniki chotu dorikite, kurchovadaniki chotu ade dorukutundi
If you get a place to stand in, you will soon be able to get room to sit in. Give me a seat, and I will make myself room to lie down. (Spanish.)
This proverb describes people who, after gaining a small favor or a tiny foothold, eventually try to take over or claim more space/rights. It is used to caution against giving an inch to opportunistic people who might take an ell, or to describe how small beginnings lead to larger opportunities.
Related Phrases
ఎన్నడూ దొరకనమ్మకు ఏగాని దొరికితే ఏడు ముళ్లు వేసిందట
ennadu dorakanammaku egani dorikite edu mullu vesindata
When a woman who never found anything finally found a small coin, she tied seven knots to secure it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves excessively or ridiculously over-cautious when they suddenly acquire something of very small value. It mocks someone who makes a huge fuss over a trivial gain because they are not used to having anything at all.
సూర్యోదయానికి కూర్చుని శుక్రోదయానికి లేచినట్టు
suryodayaniki kurchuni shukrodayaniki lechinattu
He sits down at sunrise and gets up with Venus. Said of a glutton who sits long at his meals.
This expression is used to describe an extremely long and tedious process or a task that takes an unexpectedly long time to complete. It refers to someone who starts something at dawn (sunrise) but doesn't finish until the next day's pre-dawn (rising of the planet Venus/Shukra), implying they have been stuck in the same position for an entire day and night.
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరకకపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakakapote dora
If caught, he is a thief; if not caught, he is a lord.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status based on being caught. It is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. As long as their crimes are hidden, they are respected as a gentleman or 'Dora' (lord), but the moment they are caught, they are labeled a thief.
కుక్కవంటి మనసు కూర్చుండనిచ్చునా
kukkavanti manasu kurchundanichchuna
Will a dog-like mind let you sit still?
This expression compares the human mind to a restless dog that is constantly moving, wandering, and seeking distractions. It is used to describe the nature of a person who lacks focus, mental peace, or the ability to stay still in one place or on one task.
గంతకు తగిన బొంత దొరకనే దొరుకుతుంది
gantaku tagina bonta dorakane dorukutundi
A tattered quilt suitable for the old saddle will certainly be found.
This expression is used to describe two people or things that are a perfect match for each other, especially in a sarcastic or negative sense. It implies that for every odd or flawed person, there is a similarly matched partner or counterpart. It is often used to describe couples who share the same eccentricities or negative traits, similar to the English idiom 'every pot has its lid.'
నిలవడానికి చోటు దొరికితే కూర్చోవడానికి చోటు దొరికినట్లే
nilavadaniki chotu dorikite kurchovadaniki chotu dorikinatle
If you find a place to stand, it's as if you found a place to sit.
This proverb describes people who, after being granted a small favor or a foot in the door, gradually demand more or take complete control. It is used to warn about opportunistic people who exploit initial kindness to gain a larger foothold.
అప్పు దొరికితే పప్పుకూడు
appu dorikite pappukudu
If I could raise a loan, [I should be able to live on ] dâl and rice. An excuse made by a host for treating his guest with poor fare.
This proverb describes a person who lives recklessly beyond their means. It refers to someone who spends borrowed money on luxuries or fine food (represented by 'pappukoodu') without worrying about how they will repay the debt later. It is used to critique poor financial planning and hedonistic behavior.
మట్టి దొరికిందని మాణిక్యం దొరుకుతుందా?
matti dorikindani manikyam dorukutunda?
Just because you found soil, will you find a ruby?
This expression is used to convey that common things are easily found, but precious or rare things (like talent, true value, or high-quality items) require more effort or luck. It implies that one shouldn't expect extraordinary results or valuable outcomes just because they have access to something basic or common.
ఆడదానికీ ఆయనకూ ఆమడదూరం
adadaniki ayanaku amadaduram
Distance of eight miles between the woman and her husband.
This expression is used to describe a couple who are legally married but live separately or have no emotional or physical connection. It signifies a state of total estrangement or a complete lack of intimacy in a relationship.
వినకు, అనకు, కనకు
vinaku, anaku, kanaku
Do not hear, do not say, do not see.
This is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle. It serves as a moral guideline to avoid evil: do not listen to evil, do not speak evil, and do not see evil. It is used to encourage people to maintain purity of mind and avoid participating in gossip or negativity.