రాళ్ల చేనికి గుంటక తోలినట్టు.
ralla cheniki guntaka tolinattu.
Like harrowing a field of stones. A foolish exploit.
This expression describes a situation where one is trying to perform a task in extremely unfavorable or difficult conditions. Just as a harrow (a farming tool) cannot move smoothly or effectively in a stony field, it signifies effort that is constantly interrupted, noisy, or yielding poor results due to the environment or circumstances.
Related Phrases
రాళ్ల చేను రత్నాలు పండుతుంది
ralla chenu ratnalu pandutundi
A field of stones yields diamonds
This expression is used to describe a situation where hard work and perseverance in seemingly barren or difficult circumstances lead to great rewards. It signifies that appearances can be deceptive, and with proper effort, even the most challenging land or situation can become highly productive.
చేనికి వాక, రేనికి మూక.
cheniki vaka, reniki muka.
A canal for the field, a crowd for the king.
This proverb highlights the essential requirements for success or strength in different contexts. Just as a field requires a constant supply of water through a canal (vaaka) to thrive and yield crops, a king or leader requires a loyal following or a strong army (mooka) to maintain power and authority. It is used to describe the fundamental necessities of a particular situation.
రాతికట్ట పంట చెరువుకు గాక గండి గుంటకేల?
ratikatta panta cheruvuku gaka gandi guntakela?
Why should a stone embankment serve a breach or a pit instead of a crop-yielding lake?
This proverb is used to say that resources, hard work, or benefits should go to those who are productive or deserving, rather than being wasted on useless or destructive entities. It emphasizes that valuable assets should serve a greater, fruitful purpose.
చేనికి గట్టు, ఊరికి కట్టు ఉండాలి.
cheniki gattu, uriki kattu undali.
A field needs a bund, and a village needs discipline.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of boundaries and rules. Just as a field requires a bund (gattu) to retain water and protect the crop, a community or village requires collective discipline and social order (kattu) to function harmoniously and remain united. It is used to stress the need for regulation in any organized system.
ఐదునాళ్ళు పైచాలే తోలినట్లు
aidunallu paichale tolinatlu
Like driving cattle away for five days only.
This expression is used to describe a person who starts a task with great enthusiasm but quickly loses interest or abandons it after a very short period. It highlights inconsistency, lack of perseverance, and the tendency to perform duties superficially or temporarily rather than committedly.
రాళ్ళ చేనే రత్నాలు పండుతుంది.
ralla chene ratnalu pandutundi.
Even in a field of stones, gems can grow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where great success or high-quality results are achieved despite extremely difficult, harsh, or unfavorable conditions. It emphasizes that with hard work and determination, prosperity can be found even in a place that looks barren or challenging.
కుండలో గుర్రాలు తోలినట్లు
kundalo gurralu tolinatlu
Like driving horses inside a pot
This expression is used to describe someone who makes grand claims or performs 'heroic' acts in a safe, restricted environment where there is no actual risk or challenge. It refers to a person who boasts about their abilities without ever facing real-world testing or competition.
చెడ్డ చేనికి ఇంటి వడ్లు పొంగలా.
chedda cheniki inti vadlu pongala.
What! Offering the house-rice to a spoilt field ?
This proverb describes a situation where one wastes valuable resources on a hopeless or unproductive cause. Just as sowing good seeds in a barren or bad field results in a loss of both the seeds and the effort, this expression is used when someone invests time, money, or energy into something that yields no results.
Pongali is a preparation of rice offered to the fields after the harvest. In this case the crop had failed and the offering had to be made from the old store. It was therefore a needless ceremony.
చెడ్డ చేనికి మూడు మంచెలా?
chedda cheniki mudu manchela?
Will a field of withered corn require three watcher's sheds? To drive off the birds.
This proverb is used to criticize excessive or unnecessary expenditure and effort on something that is already worthless or beyond repair. It highlights the irony of providing high security or maintenance to a failed venture.
* Wer da fallt, über ihm laufen alle Welt, ! Ao cas morido, todos o mordem, ‡ Cognatio movet invidiam.
దాలిగుంట వారు తామర గుంటకు, తామరగుంట వారు దాలిగుంటకు వచ్చినట్లు
daligunta varu tamara guntaku, tamaragunta varu daliguntaku vachchinatlu
Like people of the ash-pit going to the lotus-pond, and people of the lotus-pond going to the ash-pit.
This expression refers to a situation where two parties exchange places or switch roles, often resulting in both being out of their natural or comfortable element. It describes an unnecessary or mismatched swap where the change doesn't benefit either side, similar to 'the grass is always greener' mentality leading to poor decisions.