పాత దొంగ ఒక రోజున దొరకక మానడు.
pata donga oka rojuna dorakaka manadu.
The old thief will be one day caught.
This proverb suggests that no matter how experienced or clever someone is at committing misdeeds or hiding their mistakes, they will eventually be caught or exposed. It is used to caution that wrongdoings cannot be concealed forever and that justice or consequences are inevitable.
Related Phrases
దొంగకు దొంగ బుద్ధి, దొరకు దొర బుద్ధి.
dongaku donga buddhi, doraku dora buddhi.
A thief has a thief's thoughts, a gentleman has a gentleman's thoughts.
This proverb means that a person's behavior and thinking are dictated by their character and inherent nature. A person with bad intentions will always act according to their devious nature, while a person of noble character will act with dignity and honor, regardless of the situation.
కన్నంలో దొరికిన దొంగ గతి
kannamlo dorikina donga gati
The fate of a thief caught in the hole (of a wall).
This expression describes a situation where someone is caught red-handed or trapped in a hopeless, compromising position with no possibility of escape or denial. It is used when a person's wrongdoing is exposed so clearly that they are left completely helpless and at the mercy of others.
కలకాలపు దొంగ ఒకనాడు దొరుకుతాడు
kalakalapu donga okanadu dorukutadu
The everlasting thief is one day caught. The old fox is caught at last. The old ape is taken at last. (Latin.)
This proverb means that no matter how clever or successful someone is at hiding their wrongdoings or crimes for a long time, justice will eventually prevail and they will be caught. It is used to warn people that luck eventually runs out for those who consistently do wrong.
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.
కానున్నది కాక మానదు, రానున్నది రాక మానదు.
kanunnadi kaka manadu, ranunnadi raka manadu.
What is destined to happen will not stop, what is destined to come will not fail to arrive.
This expression is used to convey a sense of fatalism or destiny. It suggests that future events are inevitable and that worrying about them is futile because whatever is meant to happen will happen regardless of human intervention.
దొంగకు దొంగ తోడు
dongaku donga todu
A thief is a companion to another thief
This expression is used to describe how people with similar bad habits, questionable characters, or dishonest intentions tend to support and protect each other. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Birds of a feather flock together' or 'Honor among thieves', often used in a negative context to highlight collusion between wrongdoers.
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరక్కపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakkapote dora
If caught, a thief; if not caught, a lord.
This proverb is used to describe hypocritical people who maintain a respectable image in society as long as their misdeeds remain hidden. It implies that many people are only considered 'honorable' or 'gentlemen' because they haven't been caught yet, highlighting that status often depends on the public eye rather than true character.
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.'
పాత దొంగ దొరకకపోడు
pata donga dorakakapodu
An old thief cannot avoid being caught forever.
This proverb suggests that no matter how experienced or clever a person is at committing wrongful acts, they will eventually be caught or their secrets will be exposed. It is used to imply that one's past misdeeds or habitual dishonesty will inevitably catch up with them.
దొంగకు దొంగబుద్ది, దొరకు దొరబుద్ది.
dongaku dongabuddi, doraku dorabuddi.
A thief has a thief's mentality, a gentleman has a gentleman's mentality.
This proverb states that a person's character and actions are determined by their innate nature or social standing. It is used to explain that individuals will consistently act according to their established traits or upbringing, whether those are dishonest or noble.