సమయానికి లేని బాకా చచ్చిన వెనకటికా?
samayaniki leni baka chachchina venakatika?
Can the horn not [blown] in time, [be sounded] after death? Said by a beggar, who blew his horn when he was being carried away by a tiger, thus scaring the animal and saving his life.
This proverb is used to describe something that is not available when it is actually needed, making it useless later. It highlights that help, resources, or tools lose their value if they are not provided at the critical moment, just as a ceremonial trumpet is useless if it isn't played during the appropriate time of an event.
Related Phrases
కూడు ఉడికిన వెనక పొయ్యి మండుతుంది, కులం చెడ్డ వెనక బుద్ధి వస్తుంది.
kudu udikina venaka poyyi mandutundi, kulam chedda venaka buddhi vastundi.
After the food has boiled the fire burns well, after the caste has been lost [ a man's ] sense comes. i. e. He comes to his senses after losing his caste.
This proverb is used to describe the irony of gaining resources, realization, or wisdom after the opportunity to use them effectively has passed. It highlights that being 'wise after the event' is futile, much like a fire that blazes only after the cooking is finished.
ముందు వచ్చిన చెవులకన్నా, వెనక వచ్చిన కొమ్ములు వాడి
mundu vachchina chevulakanna, venaka vachchina kommulu vadi
The horns which came last are sharper than the ears which came first. Said of a new comer wishing to usurp authority over his seniors.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a newcomer, junior, or younger person surpasses their senior or predecessor in skill, power, or success. It highlights that experience (age) doesn't always guarantee superiority over late-blooming talent or sharp ambition.
సమయానికి లేనిది చంక నాకనా?
samayaniki lenidi chanka nakana?
Is it for licking the armpit if it is not available when needed?
This is a blunt and colloquial rhetorical question used to express frustration when a resource, tool, or person is unavailable at the exact moment of need. It implies that something is completely useless if it doesn't serve its purpose during a crisis, regardless of its existence otherwise.
సమయానికి లేని బావ చచ్చినా ఒకటి, బతికినా ఒకటి
samayaniki leni bava chachchina okati, batikina okati
A brother-in-law who is not there when needed is the same whether he is dead or alive.
This proverb is used to describe someone who fails to offer help during a critical time or a crisis. It implies that if a person (especially a relative who is expected to support you) is unavailable when most needed, their existence or relationship becomes irrelevant to the sufferer.
మొగుడు చచ్చిన వెనక ముండకు బుద్ధి వచ్చినది.
mogudu chachchina venaka mundaku buddhi vachchinadi.
After her husband's death, the jade came to her senses.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone realizes their mistake or understands the importance of something only after it is permanently lost or when it is too late to rectify the damage. It highlights the futility of late realization.
సమయానికి లేనిది చంక నాకనా?
samayaniki lenidi chanka nakana?
If it is not available when needed, should I lick my armpit?
This is a blunt and slightly crude idiomatic expression used to express frustration when a resource, person, or tool is unavailable at the exact moment it is required. It implies that if something doesn't serve its purpose during a crisis or need, it is utterly useless thereafter.
ఒళ్లంతా తడిసిన వెనక ఓపలేని వానికైనా చలి లేదు
ollanta tadisina venaka opaleni vanikaina chali ledu
After the whole body is wet even an invalid does not feel the cold. _ 2669. కక్కిన కూటికి ఆశించరాదు. You should not wish for food thrown up. Don't wish to get back what you have given away.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where once a person is fully committed to a difficult or risky task, or is already deep in trouble, they lose their initial fear or hesitation. It suggests that after crossing a certain point of no return, one becomes indifferent to further challenges or consequences.
ఇచ్చినవాడే నచ్చినవాడు, చచ్చినవాడే అచ్చినవాడు
ichchinavade nachchinavadu, chachchinavade achchinavadu
The one who gives is liked, the one who dies is free of debt.
This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.
అత్త చచ్చిందని అత్త చీర కట్టుకుంటే, చచ్చినాక దయ్యమై పట్టిందట
atta chachchindani atta chira kattukunte, chachchinaka dayyamai pattindata
When the daughter-in-law wore her deceased mother-in-law's saree because she died, the mother-in-law returned as a ghost to haunt her.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to benefit from another person's misfortune or death, only to find that the benefit brings unforeseen troubles or burdens. It highlights that ill-gotten gains or taking advantage of a situation can lead to haunting consequences.
ఇన్నాళ్లు బ్రతికి ఇంటి వెనక చచ్చినట్టు.
innallu bratiki inti venaka chachchinattu.
After living so long he died at the back of his house. A miserable end.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone achieves great things or survives long hardships, only to fail or suffer an ignominious end due to a trivial mistake or at the very last moment. It signifies an anti-climactic or disgraceful conclusion to an otherwise long or significant journey.