పుండున్న వ్రేలికే పుల్ల తగులుతుంది
pundunna vrelike pulla tagulutundi
A stick always hits the finger that is already wounded.
This proverb describes a streak of bad luck where problems seem to target those who are already suffering. It is used when a person who is already in a difficult situation faces even more setbacks or when an existing weakness is repeatedly exposed to further damage.
Related Phrases
తగిలిన వేలికే మళ్ళీ తగులుతుంది.
tagilina velike malli tagulutundi.
The toe that is already injured is the one that gets hit again.
This proverb is used to describe a streak of bad luck or a situation where troubles seem to accumulate for someone who is already suffering. It is similar to the English expression 'When it rains, it pours.'
ఎవరి ఏడుపు వాళ్ళకే ఎదురు తగులుతుంది.
evari edupu vallake eduru tagulutundi.
Everyone's crying/anguish will eventually hit them back.
This proverb suggests the law of karma or consequences; it means that the pain or grief a person causes others, or the negative energy they harbor, will eventually rebound and affect them personally. It is often used to warn people against being malicious or insensitive to others' suffering.
నోటి ఆహుతి రొమ్ముకు తగులుతుంది
noti ahuti rommuku tagulutundi
What is offered to the mouth hits the chest.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one's own words, deeds, or actions (often negative or ill-intended) eventually come back to affect them personally. It is similar to the English expressions 'what goes around comes around' or 'reaping what you sow.'
పుల్లనీళ్ళకే పుణ్యమనేవాడు
pullanillake punyamanevadu
One who seeks merit just by giving tamarind water.
This expression describes a person who is extremely miserly or stingy. It refers to someone who tries to gain credit for being charitable or generous by offering something worthless (like the sour water leftover from soaking tamarind) as if it were a great sacrifice.
పుండుకు పుల్ల మొగుడు
punduku pulla mogudu
A stick is the husband to a sore
This expression refers to a situation where a harsh or severe remedy is required for a difficult problem. Just as a stick causes sharp pain when it touches a wound, a strict or tough person is sometimes needed to manage or control a troublesome individual or situation.
మనిషి చస్తే మాట మిగులుతుంది, ఎద్దు చస్తే ఎముక మిగులుతుంది.
manishi chaste mata migulutundi, eddu chaste emuka migulutundi.
When a man dies, his words remain; when an ox dies, its bones remain.
This proverb emphasizes that a person's legacy is defined by the words they spoke and the reputation they built during their lifetime. While an animal leaves behind physical remains like bones or hide, a human's lasting impact is the influence of their character and speech. It is used to encourage people to speak kindly and live honorably so they are remembered well.
పిచ్చివాని చేతిరాయి తగిలితే తగులుతుంది, తప్పితే తప్పుతుంది
pichchivani chetirayi tagilite tagulutundi, tappite tapputundi
A stone thrown by a madman may hit or it may miss.
This proverb is used to describe an unpredictable outcome or a situation governed purely by chance rather than skill or logic. It suggests that when dealing with an unstable person or a disorganized plan, the result is entirely accidental—success is a stroke of luck and failure is just as likely, so one should not depend on it.
బోడితలకు, బొటనవేలికి ముడి పెట్టినట్లు
boditalaku, botanaveliki mudi pettinatlu
Like trying to tie a knot between a bald head and a big toe.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to link two completely unrelated things or people. It highlights an illogical connection, a far-fetched argument, or a forced relationship that makes no sense.
తాకిన వ్రేలుకే తట్టు తగులుతుంది.
takina vreluke tattu tagulutundi.
The injured finger is the one that keeps getting hit.
This expression is used to describe a situation where troubles or misfortunes seem to repeatedly affect the same person or the same weak spot. It is similar to the English proverb 'Misfortunes never come singly' or the idea that 'it always pours when it rains.' It highlights how a person already in distress often faces further complications.
తగిలిన కాలే తగులుతుంది.
tagilina kale tagulutundi.
A wounded foot is always striking against something.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where misfortunes or problems seem to follow a person who is already in trouble. It is similar to the English expression 'misfortunes never come singly' or 'when it rains, it pours.' It highlights how vulnerable points are often the ones that suffer repeated setbacks.