సూదిలా వచ్చి దబ్బనంలా తేలినట్లు

sudila vachchi dabbanamla telinatlu

Translation

Like coming in as a needle and ending up as a thick bodkin.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where something starts very small, humble, or inconspicuous but eventually grows into a large, unmanageable, or significant issue. It is often used to refer to people who enter a situation quietly or modestly but soon start to dominate or cause trouble, or when a small debt or problem escalates into a massive one.

Related Phrases

Coming like a mountain and ending up like a piece of cork.

This expression describes a situation or problem that initially appeared massive, daunting, or overwhelming (like a mountain) but turned out to be insignificant, trivial, or easily resolved (like light cork) in the end. It is often used to describe anticlimactic events or when a big threat fizzles out into nothing.

Came like a mountain and floated away like mist

This expression is used to describe a situation where a problem or a task initially appears to be massive and overwhelming (like a mountain), but is resolved very easily or disappears without much consequence (like thin mist or dew). It is often used to express relief after a major scare.

Like coming in as a needle and turning out like a crowbar.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that starts off looking very small, harmless, or insignificant but eventually grows into a massive problem or a heavy burden. It is often applied to small favors that turn into huge demands, or minor ailments that escalate into major health issues.

Coming like a mountain and dissolving like mist.

This expression is used to describe a situation or problem that initially appears massive, overwhelming, or extremely dangerous, but eventually resolves itself easily or disappears without causing any significant impact. It is similar to the English phrase 'much ado about nothing' or describes a threat that turns out to be harmless.

Coming alone but ending up with goats

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone starts a task or a journey with a specific, often simple or solitary intention, but ends up involved in something much more complex, crowded, or messy than anticipated.

Coming like a needle and ending up like a large bodkin.

This expression describes a situation where something starts very small, subtle, or harmless but grows into something significantly larger, more intrusive, or difficult to handle. It is often used to refer to people who enter a space or a life modestly but eventually dominate or cause unexpected trouble, or problems that escalate from minor to major proportions.

Thread for the needle, rope for the bodkin.

This expression refers to the principle of using appropriate tools or resources for a specific task. Just as you cannot use a thick rope for a small sewing needle or thin thread for a large heavy-duty needle (bodkin), one must match the effort or equipment to the scale of the problem.

Coming like a needle and turning out a packing needle. The reverse of No. 688 q. v.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something starts very small, modest, or harmless (like a tiny needle) but eventually grows into something large, intrusive, or problematic (like a thick bodkin/large needle). It is often used to refer to people who enter one's life humbly but end up becoming a major burden or dominating the space.

Coming like a mountain, and melting away like dew.

This expression is used to describe a situation or problem that initially appeared to be massive, overwhelming, and insurmountable (like a mountain), but eventually resolved itself easily or vanished without much effort (like mist/dew melting away). It is often used to express relief after a major scare.

Said of a difficulty which appears great when distant but is easily overcome when grappled with.

Even if you dream as if you are dead, you must wake up eventually.

This proverb is used to emphasize that no matter how deep an illusion, an escape, or a terrible situation may be, one must eventually return to reality and face the facts of life. It highlights the inevitability of facing the truth.