సామజము చెరుకు మేస్తే, దోమలు ఎన్ని అయినా తోలగలవా?
samajamu cheruku meste, domalu enni ayina tolagalava?
When an elephant feeds on the sugar-cane, can any number of mosquitos drive him away ?
This proverb highlights that minor disturbances or insignificant people cannot stop a powerful person or a grand task from progressing. It is used to describe situations where someone of great strength or status remains unbothered by petty criticisms or trivial obstacles.
Related Phrases
మాటలు ఎన్ని చెప్పినా, మామగారి పొత్తు వదలను అన్నదట.
matalu enni cheppina, mamagari pottu vadalanu annadata.
However much you talk, I won't give up eating with my maternal uncle. Said by a woman who had been brought up from childhood by her uncle. Force of habit. Continuance becomes usage. (Italian.)
This proverb is used to describe a person who listens to all advice or criticism but refuses to change their behavior or give up a specific benefit they are enjoying. It highlights stubbornness or a calculated refusal to let go of an advantage despite what others say.
అతడు ఉంటే మంగళవాణ్ని అయినా పిలుచును.
atadu unte mangalavanni ayina piluchunu.
[ Like a widow saying ] " if he were alive, he would at least call the barber."
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely talkative or craves company to such an extent that they would strike up a conversation with anyone available, regardless of their status or the relevance of the topic, just to avoid being alone or silent.
This is a reproach to the husband as being a useless fellow only fit to be employed as a messenger, and is also a joke, as the widow only, and not the wife, requires the services of a barber, to shave her head.
ఏట్లో పడ్డవానికి ఎన్నెన్నో ఎన్నికలు.
etlo paddavaniki ennenno ennikalu.
To him who has fallen into a river how many thoughts [ do not arise ? ] Said of one in utter despair.
This proverb refers to a person in a desperate or critical situation who starts thinking of numerous solutions or regrets all at once. It is used to describe how someone's mind races with many possibilities or worries only when they are already in deep trouble, rather than planning beforehand.
ఇల్లు ఈగలపాలు, దొడ్డి దోమలపాలు
illu igalapalu, doddi domalapalu
The house belongs to the flies, the backyard belongs to the mosquitoes.
This proverb is used to describe a state of utter neglect, lack of maintenance, or mismanagement of a property or household. It highlights a situation where, due to the absence or carelessness of the inhabitants, the premises have been completely overrun by pests.
తల్లి చేను మేస్తే, పిల్ల గట్టు మేస్తుందా?
talli chenu meste, pilla gattu mestunda?
If the mother cow grazes in the crop field, will the calf graze on the boundary?
Children naturally follow the habits and behavior of their parents. If the elders set a bad example or engage in wrongdoing, the younger generation will likely follow suit or even exceed them in those actions. It is used to emphasize that one's upbringing and parental influence shape their character.
తిన్న ఇంటి వాసాలు లెక్కపెట్టడం
tinna inti vasalu lekkapettadam
A man that counts the rafters of his benefactor's house. A story is told of a man who counted the rafters, &c., of a house in order that he might take possession of it and found his claim to it on this know- ledge. Hence the term is applied to a person basely attempting to swindle another, who had befriended him, out of his property.
This proverb describes an act of extreme ingratitude or treachery. It refers to someone who seeks to harm or find faults in a person or household that helped them or provided them with food and shelter. It is used to condemn those who betray their benefactors.
All's lost that's put into a riven dish.
దోమలు తగ్గితే చేమలు ఊరును
domalu taggite chemalu urunu
If the mosquitoes decrease, the taro tubers will swell.
This is a traditional agricultural observation suggesting that when the mosquito population declines (usually due to a change in weather or season), it coincides with the optimal growth and thickening of taro roots (Chama dumpalu). It is used to describe how certain environmental changes signal the right time for growth or harvest.
ఆవు చేనిలో మేస్తే, దూడ గట్టున మేస్తుందా?
avu chenilo meste, duda gattuna mestunda?
If the cow grazes in the field, will the calf graze on the bank? Intimate friends, or near relatives, will follow in the same path.
This proverb is used to describe how children often follow the example (good or bad) set by their parents. It suggests that if a parent indulges in a certain behavior, it is inevitable that their children will do the same, as they naturally imitate their elders.
* Un bon bailleur en fait bailler deux.
సామజము చెట్టుకు మేసిన, దోమలు పదివేలు చేరి తోలంగలవా?
samajamu chettuku mesina, domalu padivelu cheri tolangalava?
If an elephant grazes on a tree, can ten thousand mosquitoes join together to drive it away?
This proverb highlights the difference in power and stature. It means that when a person of great strength, influence, or authority decides to do something, a large group of weak or insignificant people cannot stop them. It is often used to describe situations where minor opposition is futile against a powerful force.
పదిరాళ్లు వేస్తే ఒకరాయి అయినా తగలదా
padirallu veste okarayi ayina tagalada
If you throw ten stones, will not one hit?
This expression is used to describe a strategy of making multiple attempts or trying various approaches in the hope that at least one will be successful. It is often used in contexts like job hunting, marketing, or problem-solving where quantity increases the probability of success.