రాముడు కాలు తగిలి రాయి ఆదయితే, నా కాలు రాయికి తగిలి కోతి అయింది.
ramudu kalu tagili rayi adayite, na kalu rayiki tagili koti ayindi.
When Rama's foot touched a stone, it became a woman (Ahalya); when my foot touched a stone, I became a monkey.
This expression is used to highlight the difference in luck, merit, or capability between two people. While one person's touch can create miracles or success, another person's attempt at the same action results in a mess or misfortune. It is often used humorously to describe one's own bad luck or lack of skill compared to a legendary or highly successful figure.
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.'
ఇనుముకు తగిలిన పీడ ఇంగలానికి తగిలింది
inumuku tagilina pida ingalaniki tagilindi
The trouble that befell the iron has now befallen the charcoal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an innocent associate or a bystander suffers the same harsh punishment or hardship as the main culprit. Just as charcoal is burnt and exhausted while heating iron in a forge, an innocent person often gets caught up and destroyed in the process of dealing with a problematic person or situation.
మేస్త్రీలు మేడగడితే కుక్కకాలు తగిలి కూలిపోయిందట
mestrilu medagadite kukkakalu tagili kulipoyindata
When the masons built a mansion, it supposedly collapsed because a dog's leg touched it.
This proverb is used to mock someone's poor workmanship or a weak, fragile result. It highlights the absurdity of blaming a minor, insignificant event for the failure of something that should have been strong, implying that the work was fundamentally flawed from the start.
రాముడి పాదం తగిలితే రాళ్ళు రమణులవుతారు
ramudi padam tagilite rallu ramanulavutaru
If Rama's foot touches, even stones become beautiful women
This expression refers to the mythological story of Ahalya, who was turned into a stone by a curse and regained her human form when Lord Rama's feet touched her. It is used to describe the transformative power of a great person's presence or the idea that even the most lifeless or difficult situations can be sanctified and improved by a noble touch or divine grace.
పైరుగాలి తగిలితే పంట ఉరవు
pairugali tagilite panta uravu
If the crop-wind hits, the harvest will be abundant.
This proverb highlights the importance of favorable weather conditions, specifically the cooling breeze known as 'pairugali', for a successful agricultural yield. It is used to express that when the right environment or support is present, success and prosperity are guaranteed.
మేస్త్రీలు మేడకట్టితే, కుక్కకాలు తగిలి కూలిపోయిందట.
mestrilu medakattite, kukkakalu tagili kulipoyindata.
When the masons built a mansion, it collapsed just because a dog's leg touched it.
This expression is used to mock people who do a poor quality job or make grand claims about their work when it is actually fragile and lacks a strong foundation. It highlights incompetence where even a minor, insignificant touch or obstacle causes the entire effort to fail.
కుండ వెళ్లి బిందెకు తగిలినా, బిందె వచ్చి కుండకు తగిలినా కుండకే నష్టం
kunda velli bindeku tagilina, binde vachchi kundaku tagilina kundake nashtam
Whether the clay pot goes and hits the brass pot, or the brass pot comes and hits the clay pot, it is the clay pot that gets damaged.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a weak or vulnerable person is always the one who suffers in a conflict with a powerful person, regardless of who started the fight or how it occurred. It emphasizes that in an unequal power dynamic, the consequences are always borne by the weaker party.
రాముని పాదాలు తగిలితే, రాళ్ళు రమణులవుతవి.
ramuni padalu tagilite, rallu ramanulavutavi.
If Rama's feet touch them, stones turn into beautiful women.
This expression originates from the Ramayana (Ahalya's story). It is used to signify the transformative power of a great person's presence or grace, suggesting that even the most hardened or hopeless situations can be redeemed and beautified by the touch of divinity or noble leadership.
వెదకబోయిన తీగ కాలికి తగిలినట్లు
vedakaboyina tiga kaliki tagilinatlu
Like the vine you were searching for entangling your own foot.
This expression is used when you are searching for someone or something, and unexpectedly, that person or thing appears before you or crosses your path without any effort. It signifies a stroke of luck where a solution presents itself just when you were about to start looking for it.
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.