ఒక్కొక్కరాయి తీస్తూ ఉంటే, కొండయినా తరుగుతుంది
okkokkarayi tistu unte, kondayina tarugutundi
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.
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
కొద్ది కొద్దిగా తీస్తే కొండయినా కరిగిపోతుంది
koddi koddiga tiste kondayina karigipotundi
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.
వాసి తరిగితే వన్నె తరుగుతుంది.
vasi tarigite vanne tarugutundi.
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.
ఉప్పుతో ముప్పై ఆరు ఉంటే, ఉత్తముండయినా వండుతుంది.
upputo muppai aru unte, uttamundayina vandutundi.
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.
కూర్చుని తింటే కొండలైనా కరిగిపోతాయి
kurchuni tinte kondalaina karigipotayi
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.
ఒక్కొక్క చినుకే వాన అవుతుంది.
okkokka chinuke vana avutundi.
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.
నోరు మాట్లాడుతూ ఉంటే, నుదురు ఎక్కిరిస్తూ ఉంటుంది
noru matladutu unte, nuduru ekkiristu untundi
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.
ఒక్కొక్క రాయి తీస్తుంటే, కొండైనా తరుగుతుంది
okkokka rayi tistunte, kondaina tarugutundi
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.
కూర్చుని తింటే కొండలైనా కరిగిపోతాయి
kurchuni tinte kondalaina karigipotayi
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.
ఎంచివేస్తే ఆరి తరుగుతుందా?
enchiveste ari tarugutunda?
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.
ఒక్కొక్క రాయి తీస్తూంటే, కొండయినా తరుగుతుంది.
okkokka rayi tistunte, kondayina tarugutundi.
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.