పొమ్మనలేక పొగ బెట్టినట్లు
pommanaleka poga bettinatlu
Like lighting smoke because one cannot directly ask someone to leave
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone wants to get rid of a person or end a situation but doesn't want to say it directly. Instead, they create uncomfortable conditions or make things difficult to force the person to leave on their own accord. It is synonymous with 'indirectly forcing someone out'.
Related Phrases
పొమ్మనలేక పొగ పెట్టినట్టు
pommanaleka poga pettinattu
Not being able to tell him to go he smoked him out.
This expression describes a situation where someone is indirectly forced or pressured to leave or quit because the other person is too polite or hesitant to ask them directly. It is commonly used when someone creates an uncomfortable environment to drive another person away.
దమ్మన్న దాడి పొమ్మన్నా పోదు
dammanna dadi pommanna podu
Dammanna's raid won't leave even if told to go
This proverb is used to describe a persistent problem, an unwanted guest, or a stubborn situation that refuses to go away despite several attempts to get rid of it. It refers to a nuisance that has overstayed its welcome.
ఉండమనలేక ఊదర, పొమ్మనలేక పొగబెట్టినట్లు
undamanaleka udara, pommanaleka pogabettinatlu
Unable to ask them to stay, one creates a suffocating stench; unable to ask them to leave, one uses smoke.
This proverb describes a passive-aggressive way of getting rid of someone. Instead of directly asking a person to leave, someone creates such uncomfortable or unbearable conditions that the person is forced to leave on their own. It is used in situations where social etiquette prevents directness, leading to subtle or harsh discouragement.
జ్వరం రోగికి జున్ను పెట్టినట్లు, పగిలిన నెత్తిన వెన్న పెట్టినట్లు
jvaram rogiki junnu pettinatlu, pagilina nettina venna pettinatlu
Like giving cheese to a fever patient or putting butter on a split head.
This expression describes an act that is counterproductive, harmful, or poorly timed. Just as dairy is traditionally avoided during a fever in Ayurveda and butter won't heal a deep head wound, it refers to actions that worsen a situation despite appearing like a gesture of care or help.
దారినపోయే శనిని తలకెత్తుకున్నట్లు
darinapoye shanini talakettukunnatlu
Like picking up the misfortune passing by and putting it on your own head.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone unnecessarily involves themselves in a problem that has nothing to do with them, thereby creating trouble for themselves. It is similar to the English expression 'inviting trouble' or 'poking one's nose into other's affairs.'
లేనివాడు లేక ఏడిస్తే, ఉన్నవాడు తినలేక పడ్డాడట
lenivadu leka ediste, unnavadu tinaleka paddadata
While the one who has nothing cries because he lacks, the one who has everything suffers because he cannot eat it.
This proverb highlights that both poverty and wealth come with their own sets of problems. While a poor person suffers from deprivation, a rich person may suffer from health issues, greed, or the inability to enjoy their abundance. It is often used to describe situations where everyone has a grievance, regardless of their status.
పోగా పోగా పైమీద బట్ట బరువవుతుంది
poga poga paimida batta baruvavutundi
As time goes on, even the cloth on one's body becomes a burden.
This expression describes a state of extreme exhaustion or fatigue where even the slightest weight or smallest task feels unbearable. It is used to signify that as a situation persists or as one loses strength, things that were once effortless become difficult to manage.
నెత్తిన వెన్న పెట్టి రొయ్యల మొలతాడు కట్టినట్లు
nettina venna petti royyala molatadu kattinatlu
Like placing butter on the head and tying a waistband made of prawns.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely foolish or setting themselves up for a loss. Placing butter on the head (which melts in the sun) and using prawns (which are scavenged by crows and dogs) as a waistband implies that the person's assets or efforts will quickly vanish or be snatched away due to poor planning.
పోయిన నీళ్ళకు కట్ట కట్టినట్లు
poyina nillaku katta kattinatlu
Like building a dam after the water has already flowed away
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes corrective action or precautions after the damage has already been done and it is too late to be effective. It is similar to the English proverb 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
రెండు పడవల మీద కాళ్లు పెట్టినట్లు
rendu padavala mida kallu pettinatlu
Like placing legs on two boats
This expression refers to a situation where a person is trying to pursue two different or conflicting paths at the same time. It signifies instability and the risk of failure in both endeavors, much like how one would fall into the water if the two boats they are standing on drift apart. It is used to advise someone to be decisive and commit to a single course of action.