పొయ్యి సెగ పొంతకుండకు తగలకపోదు
poyyi sega pontakundaku tagalakapodu
The heat from the stove will inevitably touch the adjacent pot.
This expression is used to signify that the influence, consequences, or heat of a nearby event or a close relationship will eventually affect those in the vicinity. Similar to the English proverb 'If you play with fire, you'll get burned,' it suggests that one cannot remain completely unaffected by the environment or people they are closely associated with.
Related Phrases
పోరు చాలక పొయ్యి దగ్గర పడుకుంటే, బొంత కాలిపోయె నారాయణా!
poru chalaka poyyi daggara padukunte, bonta kalipoye narayana!
Unable to bear the cold, when one slept near the hearth, the quilt caught fire, Oh Narayana!
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, in an attempt to escape a minor problem or discomfort, ends up facing a much bigger disaster or loss. It is similar to the English expression 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.'
పసిపిల్లలకూ పాలకుండకూ దృష్టి తగలకుండా చూడాలి.
pasipillalaku palakundaku drishti tagalakunda chudali.
One must ensure that neither infants nor milk pots are affected by the evil eye.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb emphasizing that precious, vulnerable, or essential things (like babies or food sources) need constant protection from jealousy or negative energy. It is used to advise caution and safeguarding of one's most valued assets.
పొగలోనుండి సెగలోకి వచ్చినట్లు
pogalonundi segaloki vachchinatlu
Like moving from smoke into the flames
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to escape a small problem only to end up in a much worse or more dangerous situation. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English idiom 'Out of the frying pan and into the fire'.
పాలు పొంగడమంతా పొయ్యి పాలుకే
palu pongadamanta poyyi paluke
All the milk that overflows ends up as the stove's share
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's excessive anger or loud boasts result in no real action or benefit, ultimately going to waste. Just as milk overflowing from a pot only makes a mess on the stove rather than filling a cup, empty threats or wasted energy do not achieve anything productive.
పసిబిడ్డకు, పాలకుండకు దృష్టి తగలకుండా చూడాలి.
pasibiddaku, palakundaku drishti tagalakunda chudali.
One must ensure that the evil eye does not fall upon an infant or a pot of milk.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb emphasizing the need to protect things that are pure, vulnerable, or essential for sustenance. In a broader sense, it is used to advise someone to be extra cautious and protective about their most precious assets or new beginnings to prevent jealousy or negative influences (Drishti) from harming them.
పాతదొంగ పట్టుబడకపోడు
patadonga pattubadakapodu
An old thief will not remain uncaught forever.
This proverb suggests that no matter how experienced or clever a person is at committing wrongful acts, they will eventually be caught. It is used to warn that one's luck in getting away with misdeeds will eventually run out.
కుక్క ఉట్టిచేర్లు తెంచగలదు గాని, పాలకుండ పడకుండా పట్టగలదా?
kukka utticherlu tenchagaladu gani, palakunda padakunda pattagalada?
A dog can bite through the ropes of the hanging net, but can it catch the milk pot without letting it fall?
This proverb is used to describe a person who has the capacity to cause destruction or ruin a plan, but lacks the skill or intention to handle the consequences or perform the task constructively. It highlights that creating a mess is easy, but managing the outcome requires a different set of abilities.
ఉత్తకుండకు ఊపులెక్కువ
uttakundaku upulekkuva
An empty pot shakes (sways) more.
This proverb is used to describe people who have little knowledge or substance but make the most noise or display excessive arrogance. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'Empty vessels make the most noise.' It suggests that those who are truly capable or knowledgeable remain calm and steady, while those lacking substance tend to overcompensate with boastful behavior.
అంతకు తగిన గంత, గంతకు తగిన బొంత.
antaku tagina ganta, gantaku tagina bonta.
A pack-saddle fits the size, and a quilt fits the pack-saddle.
This proverb is used to describe a perfect match or a situation where things are suited to each other, often used in a sarcastic or humorous way to describe a couple or a pair of people who share the same (often negative) traits or habits. It implies that for every person or situation, there is a corresponding match that deserves them.
గంతకు తగిన బొంత
gantaku tagina bonta
Like packsaddle, like quilt.
This expression is used to describe two people or things that are a perfect match for each other, often in a sarcastic or negative sense (like two equally lazy or cunning people). It is the Telugu equivalent of the English phrase 'Like father, like son' or 'A chip off the old block', implying that the quality or nature of one thing matches the other perfectly.
Like pot, like cover. (Dutch.)*