రౌతు కొత్తైతే గుఱ్ఱం కుంటిదట

rautu kottaite gurram kuntidata

Translation

If the rider is new, the horse pretends to be lame.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where an experienced subordinate or a clever person takes advantage of a newcomer or an inexperienced boss. It implies that if the person in charge doesn't know what they are doing, those under them will make excuses or behave lazily to avoid work.

Related Phrases

When a trooper was told not to come into the village, he asked where he was to put up his horse.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or ignores a larger rejection to focus on a trivial detail. It highlights the behavior of someone who misses the main point (not being welcome at all) and asks about a minor logistical matter (parking or stabling).

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If he mounts, he is a horse rider; if he dismounts, he is a foot soldier.

This expression describes a person's extreme versatility or their ability to adapt to any situation, no matter how high or low. It is often used to refer to someone who is a 'jack of all trades' or someone who can carry out a task with great dignity but is also willing to do the humble grunt work when required.

If a horse gets loose it is like an ass. i. e. it snorts and kicks. Applied to wickedness unrestrained.

This expression highlights the importance of discipline, training, and context. A horse is valued for its grace and speed only when it is controlled and purposeful; once it becomes stray or wild without direction, it loses its distinct value and is seen as no better than a common donkey. It is used to suggest that talent without discipline is wasted.

If the rider is soft, the horse is said to walk on three legs.

This proverb highlights that if a leader or person in authority is lenient or weak, those under them will become lazy, rebellious, or perform poorly. It is used to describe situations where a lack of discipline leads to inefficient results.

An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.

This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.

The grandmother and the horse were one. A man and his grandmother started on a journey, the former riding, the latter on foot ; the grandson rested frequently on the road and eventually only reached his destination just as his grandmother had completed her journey. The tortoise and the hare.

This expression is used to describe a situation where two completely mismatched or incompatible things are forcefully combined, or when someone expects two contradictory results at once. It highlights the impossibility or absurdity of a specific demand or outcome.

Horse behaves (runs) to suit (the ability of) the rider.

The worker in any setup works as directed/controlled by the master. If the master/manager is incompetent/lenient, there will be no discipline and the entire setup will be disorganized.

When the temple is near, the gravity (respect) becomes distant.

This proverb highlights the tendency of humans to undervalue things or people that are easily accessible or familiar. It suggests that proximity often leads to a loss of reverence or appreciation, similar to the English expression 'Familiarity breeds contempt.'

Even when the elephant lies down he is as high as the horse.

This expression is used to describe a person of great stature, wealth, or talent who remains superior or significant even during their lowest points or downfall. It suggests that a person's inherent greatness or previous high status still commands respect and is incomparable to the peak level of an ordinary person.

A man much superior to another.

If I ride I shall be a trooper, if I dismount I shall be a foot soldier. A man who makes himself useful in any position.

This expression describes a versatile person who can adapt to any situation or task. It refers to someone who can handle high-level responsibilities with authority when required, yet remains humble and capable enough to perform basic manual labor or subordinate tasks when necessary.