ఒక్కొక్కరాయి తీస్తూ ఉంటే, కొండయినా తరుగుతుంది

okkokkarayi tistu unte, kondayina tarugutundi

Translation

If you remove stone by stone, even a mountain will be levelled. You must pluck out the hairs of a horse's tail one by one. ( Latin. ); Drop by drop the lake is drained.

Meaning

This expression emphasizes the power of persistence and consistency. It means that any task, no matter how monumental or impossible it seems, can be completed by taking small, steady steps. It is used to encourage someone facing a daunting project or goal.

Related Phrases

If you take away little by little, even a mountain will disappear.

This proverb emphasizes the impact of gradual depletion or persistent effort. It is used in two contexts: as a warning that constant small spending can exhaust even large wealth, or as an encouragement that consistent small steps can complete even the most daunting tasks.

If the quality decreases, the shine decreases.

This expression means that a person's reputation or outward respect depends entirely on their character or the quality of their work. If one's inner worth or standard of work (vasi) declines, their fame and public standing (vanne) will automatically diminish.

If you have with salt the thirty-six a stupid woman even can cook. There are thirty-six requisites, it is said, for cooking, salt included.

This proverb suggests that with the right resources and abundance of materials, even an unskilled person can achieve a good result. It is used to highlight that success is easier when one has all the necessary tools and supplies at their disposal.

If you sit and eat, even mountains will melt away

This proverb emphasizes the importance of work and warns against laziness. It means that if one keeps consuming wealth or resources without earning or replenishing them, even a massive fortune (like a mountain) will eventually be exhausted.

Each individual drop becomes a rain.

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Every little bit helps' or 'Many a mickle makes a muckle.' It signifies that small, consistent efforts or contributions accumulate over time to create a significant result. It is often used to encourage saving money or persistent effort in learning.

Speaking with the mouth but mocking with the forehead. Insincerity.

This expression is used to describe a person whose facial expressions or non-verbal cues contradict their spoken words. It highlights hypocrisy or insincerity, suggesting that even though someone is saying something polite or agreeable, their true feelings of contempt or disagreement are visible on their face.

If you keep removing one stone at a time, even a mountain will diminish.

This proverb emphasizes the power of persistence and consistency. It suggests that even the most monumental or impossible tasks can be completed if one works at them steadily, bit by bit. It is used to encourage someone facing a daunting challenge.

If you sit still and eat, even a mountain will be consumed. If you spend your principal, it will soon disappear, however large.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of hard work and earning. It warns that no matter how vast your wealth or resources (like a mountain) are, they will eventually be depleted if you only consume them without producing or earning anything new.

Will the quantity decrease if you count them?

This expression is used when someone is reluctant to share or reveal a large quantity of items out of fear that counting or showcasing them will somehow diminish their value or amount. It highlights the irrationality of being overly secretive or stingy when nothing is actually lost by being transparent or acknowledging the truth.

If you keep removing one stone at a time, even a mountain will diminish.

This proverb emphasizes the power of persistence and consistency. It suggests that any task, no matter how monumental or seemingly impossible, can be completed by taking small, continuous steps. It is used to encourage someone facing a daunting challenge.