ఒత్తు పొత్తును చెరుచును.

ottu pottunu cheruchunu.

Translation

Closeness ruins the sharing.

Meaning

This proverb suggests that excessive intimacy or being too crowded/interfering in a shared arrangement or partnership can lead to conflicts and eventually spoil the relationship or the work being done together.

Related Phrases

The silver ring protects from danger; the wick protects from death.

This is an old Telugu saying related to superstitious beliefs and traditional medicine. It suggests that wearing a silver ring (kadi) can ward off accidents or evil eyes, while a medicinal wick or oil lamp (vatti) can prevent death or severe illness. It is used to highlight how small traditional remedies or protective charms are believed to save one from great calamities.

Do not pull until it snaps

This expression is used to advise someone not to push a situation, argument, or relationship to its breaking point. It emphasizes the importance of knowing when to stop before causing irreversible damage.

If the swords meet, the partnership/alliance meets.

This expression is used to describe a situation where mutual interests, particularly regarding power or conflict, lead to an alliance. It suggests that once people recognize each other's strength or engage in a common struggle, they are more likely to form a cooperative bond or partnership.

Patience will save you and your neighbour.

This expression highlights the virtue of patience (Tahlimi). It suggests that by remaining patient, a person can avoid self-destruction or making impulsive mistakes while also preventing conflict and harm to those around them. It is used to advise someone to stay calm in provocative situations.

A snake bites; a scream (or commotion) spoils.

This proverb suggests that while a snake's bite is a direct physical harm, the panic or loud screaming that follows can cause even more damage or ruin the situation. It is used to advise someone to stay calm during a crisis, as overreacting or creating a commotion can be more counterproductive than the problem itself.

The bond of brothers is during childhood, the bond of sisters is during adulthood.

This proverb highlights the changing nature of familial relationships. Brothers are often closest as children before property and family divisions occur. In contrast, sisters tend to develop a deeper, more supportive bond and emotional connection as they grow older and face the shared experiences of adulthood.

Will truths share a meal? Will promises come together?

This expression is often used to question the reliability of alliances or agreements made between parties who lack genuine integrity or shared values. It suggests that mere words or 'truths' are not enough to ensure a lasting partnership if there is no underlying trust or sincerity. It is used when pointing out that forced or artificial cooperation will likely fail.

What remains is the bank (solid ground), what is lost is the husk.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, after a loss or a filtering process, only the essential or valuable part remains while the useless or trivial part is gone. It is often used to console someone by pointing out that even if something was lost, the core strength or the most important asset is still intact.

The sun behind the clouds ruins a housewife's reputation.

This proverb highlights how deceptive weather or situations can lead to unintended consequences. It refers to a situation where a woman might misjudge the time due to a cloudy sky (thinking it's still early or already late) and fail to complete her chores or return home on time, leading to misunderstandings or criticism regarding her character or diligence.

Washing protects against calamity.

This proverb highlights the importance of hygiene and cleanliness. It suggests that the simple act of washing (hands, feet, or body) can ward off diseases or 'gandamu' (critical dangers/accidents), implying that being clean prevents many avoidable troubles.