రెక్కాడితేగాని డొక్కాడని వాడికి రత్నం దొరికితే రాయి అన్నాట్ట.
rekkaditegani dokkadani vadiki ratnam dorikite rayi annatta.
When a man whose belly is filled only if his hands toil finds a diamond, he says it is just a stone.
This expression describes a person who is so consumed by the daily grind and survival that they lack the knowledge or perspective to recognize a great opportunity or a valuable asset when it presents itself. It is used to highlight how poverty or lack of exposure can make someone ignorant of life's bigger fortunes.
Related Phrases
ఎన్నడూ దొరకనమ్మకు ఏగాని దొరికితే ఏడు ముళ్లు వేసిందట
ennadu dorakanammaku egani dorikite edu mullu vesindata
When a woman who never found anything finally found a small coin, she tied seven knots to secure it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves excessively or ridiculously over-cautious when they suddenly acquire something of very small value. It mocks someone who makes a huge fuss over a trivial gain because they are not used to having anything at all.
కుక్క కనిపిస్తే రాయి దొరకదు, రాయి దొరికితే కుక్క కనిపించదు
kukka kanipiste rayi dorakadu, rayi dorikite kukka kanipinchadu
If you see a dog, you don't find a stone; if you find a stone, you don't see the dog.
This expression highlights the irony of life where things don't align when needed. It describes a situation where you have the opportunity but lack the resources, or you have the resources but the opportunity is gone. It is often used when someone encounters bad luck or poor timing.
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరకకపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakakapote dora
If caught, he is a thief; if not caught, he is a lord.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status based on being caught. It is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. As long as their crimes are hidden, they are respected as a gentleman or 'Dora' (lord), but the moment they are caught, they are labeled a thief.
ఆ దారి ఎక్కడికి పోతుంది అని అంటే, ఎక్కడికీ పోదు, నేను పుట్టింది మొదలు ఇక్కడే ఉంది అన్నట్లు.
a dari ekkadiki potundi ani ante, ekkadiki podu, nenu puttindi modalu ikkade undi annatlu.
When asked where that road goes, replying that it doesn't go anywhere and has been right here since I was born.
A humorous or sarcastic expression used to describe a person who interprets a question too literally or lacks common sense. It mocks the ignorance of someone who fails to understand that 'where does the road go' refers to its destination, not its physical movement.
కుక్క వస్తే రాయి దొరకదు, రాయి దొరికితే కుక్క రాదు.
kukka vaste rayi dorakadu, rayi dorikite kukka radu.
When the dog comes, a stone cannot be found ; when a stone is found, the dog does not come. A thing can never be found when it is most wanted.
This expression describes a situation of poor timing or irony where two things needed for a specific action are never available at the same time. It is used when resources or opportunities are missing exactly when they are most needed, but appear only when the need has passed.
లాడం దొరకగానే గుర్రం దొరికినట్లా?
ladam dorakagane gurram dorikinatla?
Does finding a horseshoe mean you've found a horse?
This expression is used to criticize someone who makes premature assumptions or feels overconfident after achieving a very small, insignificant part of a larger task. It highlights the folly of celebrating a minor detail when the main component is still missing.
నిలవడానికి చోటు దొరికితే కూర్చోవడానికి చోటు దొరికినట్లే
nilavadaniki chotu dorikite kurchovadaniki chotu dorikinatle
If you find a place to stand, it's as if you found a place to sit.
This proverb describes people who, after being granted a small favor or a foot in the door, gradually demand more or take complete control. It is used to warn about opportunistic people who exploit initial kindness to gain a larger foothold.
మట్టి దొరికిందని మాణిక్యం దొరుకుతుందా?
matti dorikindani manikyam dorukutunda?
Just because you found soil, will you find a ruby?
This expression is used to convey that common things are easily found, but precious or rare things (like talent, true value, or high-quality items) require more effort or luck. It implies that one shouldn't expect extraordinary results or valuable outcomes just because they have access to something basic or common.
రెక్కాడితేగాని, డొక్కాడదు
rekkaditegani, dokkadadu
Unless the hand moves, the stomach will not move.
This is a popular Telugu proverb used to describe the lives of daily laborers and the poor. It means that one must work (hand/arm movement) every single day in order to have food to eat (stomach movement/digestion). It highlights a hand-to-mouth existence where there is no financial security without physical labor.
చేతికి దొరికిన రత్నం నాచుకుపోయినట్లు
chetiki dorikina ratnam nachukupoyinatlu
Like a gem found in the hand getting lost in moss.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a rare or valuable opportunity, which was already within reach, is lost due to carelessness or unfortunate circumstances. It highlights the irony of losing something precious after having already secured it.