నూరు కొరడా దెబ్బలైనా ఒక బొబ్బట్టుకు సరిరావు
nuru korada debbalaina oka bobbattuku sariravu
Even a hundred whip lashes are not equal to one Bobbattu (sweet flatbread).
This expression is used to describe a situation where one is willing to endure significant physical hardship or punishment if the reward is a delicious meal or something very desirable. It highlights how the craving for good food can sometimes outweigh the fear of pain.
Related Phrases
వలపుకు పలుపు దెబ్బలు వయ్యారికి చెప్పు దెబ్బలు
valapuku palupu debbalu vayyariki cheppu debbalu
Rope lashings for infatuation and slipper hits for a coquette.
This proverb suggests that infatuation or reckless passion needs to be restrained with force (like a cattle rope), and a flirtatious person who crosses boundaries needs to be humbled or corrected with harsh treatment. It is used to imply that certain behaviors only stop when met with strict punishment.
గొడ్డుకు ఒక దెబ్బ, మనిషికి ఒక మాట
godduku oka debba, manishiki oka mata
One blow for the cattle, one word for the human.
This expression means that while an animal needs physical punishment to understand or obey, a sensible human should be able to understand with just a single word or a simple explanation. It is used to emphasize that intelligent people do not need to be repeatedly told or forced to do the right thing.
మంచివారికి ఒక మాట, మంచిగొడ్డుకు ఒక దెబ్బ
manchivariki oka mata, manchigodduku oka debba
One word for a good person, one lash for a good ox.
This proverb highlights that sensible or noble people understand a hint or a single request and act accordingly without needing repeated instructions or force. Similarly, a well-trained or strong ox requires only a single stroke to perform its task. It is used to suggest that intelligent people do not need to be constantly nagged or punished to do the right thing.
నువ్వు చస్తే బొబ్బర్లు
nuvvu chaste bobbarlu
Black-eyed peas if you die
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely selfish or insensitive, someone who only cares about their own gain or benefit even in a tragic situation like someone else's death. It refers to the tradition of serving black-eyed peas (bobbarlu) during funeral rites, implying the person is more interested in the meal than the loss of life.
కాసీన చెట్టుకే రాళ్ళ దెబ్బలు.
kasina chettuke ralla debbalu.
Only the tree that bears fruit is hit by stones.
Only those who help often have to bear the brunt of seekers. In many cases, after receiving help, the beneficiaries tend to criticize the benefactors.
ఆపదలైనా, సంపదలైనా ఒంటరిగా రావు.
apadalaina, sampadalaina ontariga ravu.
Be it calamities or wealth, they do not come alone.
This expression suggests that both misfortunes and fortunes tend to arrive in series or clusters rather than as isolated incidents. It is used to describe situations where multiple problems occur at once (misfortunes never come singly) or when a stroke of luck leads to multiple benefits.
దూరిన గద్ద దెబ్బ, నీటిపట్టు పులి దెబ్బ తప్పవు.
durina gadda debba, nitipattu puli debba tappavu.
The strike of a hawk that has dived and the strike of a tiger at a watering hole are unavoidable.
This proverb highlights the inevitability of certain outcomes when an expert or a predator is in their element. It is used to describe situations where a calculated attack or a predetermined consequence is impossible to escape, emphasizing that once a professional or a force of nature commits to an action, success for them (and failure for the target) is certain.
రాజు తలిస్తే దెబ్బలకు కొదవా?
raju taliste debbalaku kodava?
If the king decides, will there be a shortage of beatings?
This proverb implies that when a person in a position of high authority or power decides to cause harm or create trouble, they have endless means to do so. It is used to describe situations where someone powerful can easily punish or harass others at their whim.
దేవుడు తలిస్తే దెబ్బలకు కొదువా?
devudu taliste debbalaku koduva?
If God decides, will there be a shortage of blows?
This proverb is used to express that when one's luck is bad or when divine fate is against them, troubles and misfortunes come in quick succession from all directions. It is often used to lament a series of unexpected hardships or to suggest that one cannot escape destiny when it turns unfavorable.
కుక్క కాటుకు చెప్పు దెబ్బ
kukka katuku cheppu debba
A slap with a chappal for dog bite.
Figuratively, it is an act of retaliation. Similar to “Tit for tat.”