రోటిలో తలదూర్చి రోకటి పోటుకు వెరచినట్లు

rotilo taladurchi rokati potuku verachinatlu

Translation

After putting your head in the mortar, being afraid of the pestle's blow.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone voluntarily takes on a difficult or risky task and then complains or gets scared when the inevitable challenges or consequences arise. It emphasizes that once you commit to a difficult path, you must be prepared to face the hardships that come with it.

Related Phrases

Like using a rice-pounder for [ carrying ] a bunch of glass bracelets. When put down, the weight of the stick would break the bracelets. A foolish action.

This proverb is used to describe an action where someone uses excessive force or an inappropriate, heavy-handed tool for a delicate task. It highlights the mismatch between the fragility of the object (glass bangles) and the brute force applied (a heavy wooden pestle), inevitably leading to destruction rather than the intended result.

Closeness ruins the sharing.

This proverb suggests that excessive intimacy or being too crowded/interfering in a shared arrangement or partnership can lead to conflicts and eventually spoil the relationship or the work being done together.

Do not pull until it snaps

This expression is used to advise someone not to push a situation, argument, or relationship to its breaking point. It emphasizes the importance of knowing when to stop before causing irreversible damage.

Like a rabbit entering a hunter's house without him having to search for it.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a desired object or a solution to a problem comes to someone effortlessly, or when an enemy unknowingly walks right into a trap. It signifies an unexpected stroke of luck or a target presenting itself without any pursuit.

If one thinks of one thing, God thinks of another.

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Man proposes, God disposes.' It is used to describe situations where human plans or expectations fail to materialize because fate or a higher power had a different outcome in store.

Doing one thing and it becoming another

This expression is used to describe a situation where one's actions lead to an unexpected or unintended outcome, often despite good intentions. It is similar to the English phrase 'Backfiring' or 'Best-laid plans gone awry.' It describes a result that is completely different from what was originally planned.

Closing the small holes while leaving the large sluice gates open.

This proverb describes a situation of being 'penny wise and pound foolish.' It refers to people who waste time or effort fixing minor, insignificant problems (leaks) while ignoring massive, glaring issues (open gates) that cause far more damage or loss.

After putting your head in the mortar, why fear the pounding of the pestle?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has voluntarily undertaken a difficult or risky task and then starts complaining about the inevitable hardships that come with it. It means that once you commit to a challenging path, you must be prepared to face the consequences or struggles that come with it.

The song of the mortar and the song of the pestle.

This expression refers to rhythmic folk songs sung by women while performing manual labor, particularly grinding or pounding grain. It signifies the coordination, tradition, and the way music eases the burden of repetitive physical work.

Like leaving the house out of fear for bedbugs.

This proverb describes an extreme or foolish overreaction to a minor nuisance. It is used when someone gives up something very valuable or essential just to escape a small, manageable problem.