పులి ఎత్తుబడితే, నలుగురు నాలుగు రాళ్ళు వేస్తారు
puli ettubadite, naluguru nalugu rallu vestaru
When a tiger falls into a pit (or is weakened), everyone throws a stone at it.
This proverb describes a situation where when a powerful or influential person falls from grace or faces a downfall, even the common or weak people who were previously afraid of them will take the opportunity to criticize, mock, or attack them. It is used to illustrate how people react to someone's loss of power or misfortune.
Related Phrases
నరం లేని నాలుక నాలుగు రకాలుగా మాట్లాడుతుంది
naram leni naluka nalugu rakaluga matladutundi
A tongue without a bone speaks in four different ways
This expression refers to the inconsistency of human speech. Since the tongue is flexible and has no bone (naram) to keep it rigid, it can easily change its stance or twist the truth. It is used to describe people who are unreliable, go back on their word, or change their versions of a story to suit their convenience.
నవ్వు నాలుగు విధాల చేటు.
navvu nalugu vidhala chetu.
Laughter is harmful in four (many ) ways.
This is used when one laughs unnecessarily or too much. For every action there is a proper place and proper time. When the action does not take these considerations into account, it will land people in trouble or awkward situation.
నలుగురు నడిచే దారిలో గడ్డిపోచైనా మొలవదు
naluguru nadiche darilo gaddipochaina molavadu
Even a blade of grass will not grow on a path walked by four (many) people.
This expression signifies that constant use, movement, or activity in a particular place prevents any growth or change from taking root. It is often used to describe how popular systems or well-trodden paths stay clear and functional through sheer volume of use, or metaphorically, how constant scrutiny prevents secrets from growing.
నలుగురు నవ్వినట్లే ఉంది, నా మాట కుదిరినట్లే ఉంది.
naluguru navvinatle undi, na mata kudirinatle undi.
It is like four people laughed, and it is like my word is fulfilled.
This proverb is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone's advice or prediction was ignored, leading to a public failure or an embarrassing outcome. It highlights the irony of being 'proven right' only after a disaster has occurred, where the 'satisfaction' of being right is overshadowed by the mockery or laughter of the crowd.
నలుగురు నడిచేది దారి, పదుగురు చెప్పేది నీతి.
naluguru nadichedi dari, paduguru cheppedi niti.
The path many walk is the road, the principle many speak is the ethics.
This proverb suggests that collective wisdom and common practice define what is right or acceptable in a society. It is used to emphasize following established traditions or conforming to the consensus of the community rather than acting in isolation.
నలుగురు నడిచే దారిలో నాచు కూడా మొలవదు
naluguru nadiche darilo nachu kuda molavadu
Even moss doesn't grow on a path frequented by many people.
This proverb highlights that frequent use or constant activity prevents stagnation and decay. It is often used to emphasize that skills stay sharp with practice, or that a place that is well-maintained and busy remains clean and functional. It suggests that consistent action keeps things from withering away.
ఏనుగు ఎత్తుబడితే, దోమ దొరికించుకొన్నదట
enugu ettubadite, doma dorikinchukonnadata
When the elephant fell down, the mosquito claimed it had caught it.
This proverb describes a situation where a powerful person faces a natural downfall or misfortune, and a weak, insignificant person takes credit for that downfall. It is used to mock those who boast about achievements that were actually caused by circumstances beyond their control.
నాలుగు వర్షాలు కురిస్తే, నత్తకాయ నాయకురాలు
nalugu varshalu kuriste, nattakaya nayakuralu
If it rains four times, even a snail thinks it is a leader.
This proverb is used to describe an insignificant person who suddenly acts superior or arrogant due to a brief period of favorable circumstances. Just as snails emerge and act prominently during the rains, a person of low merit might try to dominate or lead when the situation becomes easy or advantageous for them.
నరము లేని నాలుక నాలుగు విధాలుగా తిరుగుతుంది
naramu leni naluka nalugu vidhaluga tirugutundi
The tongue without nerves goes all ways. When the conscience is dead, moral restraint disappears.
This proverb is used to describe people who are inconsistent or unreliable in their speech. Since the tongue is flexible (boneless), it can easily twist the truth, make false promises, or change versions of a story to suit the situation. It serves as a warning not to trust everything someone says blindly.
నలుగురు నడిచిందే బాట, పలువురు పలికిందే మాట
naluguru nadichinde bata, paluvuru palikinde mata
The path walked by four (the majority) is the way; the word spoken by many is the truth.
This proverb emphasizes social consensus and the power of the majority. It suggests that a path becomes established only when many people follow it, and a statement gains the weight of truth or law when it is widely accepted by the community. It is used to describe following traditions or acknowledging public opinion.