తాగితే గాని మొగ్గడు, తడిస్తే గాని కప్పడు

This proverb describes people who only learn lessons from experience or hardship rather than acting with foresight. It is used to characterize someone who is stubborn and waits for a problem to occur before taking necessary precautions.

This proverb is often used to describe items or situations that require specific conditions to become functional. In a literal sense, it refers to a rough wool blanket (gongali) which is stiff when dry but becomes flexible and usable only when damp. Figuratively, it describes people who only work or cooperate under specific pressure or when their basic needs are met.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person only agrees to a smaller compromise or a difficult task when they are faced with a much more extreme or life-threatening situation. It signifies that people often resist minor sacrifices until they realize the alternative is far worse.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of learning through experience or trial and error. It suggests that one must go through difficulties and practical struggles (getting wet) before successfully completing a task (thatching the hut). It is used to describe someone who has gained wisdom or skill only after facing initial failures.

This proverb emphasizes the necessity of hard work and the reality of poverty. It means that if one's basic needs are barely met even through constant labor, they certainly cannot be met by remaining inactive. It is used to encourage someone to keep working or to highlight that there is no alternative to effort for survival.

This expression means that one cannot truly understand the complexity or difficulty of a situation until they are personally involved or have started the task. It is used to advise against making superficial judgments or to explain that practical experience is necessary to grasp the reality of a problem.

This proverb describes a procrastinator or an irresponsible person who only takes action when faced with extreme necessity or under the influence of something external. It highlights the behavior of someone who lacks foresight and only reacts when forced by circumstances.

This proverb describes a stubborn or negligent person who only learns from painful personal experience rather than foresight or advice. It is used to describe someone who waits for a disaster to happen before taking necessary precautions or changing their ways.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where once a person is fully committed to a difficult or risky task, they no longer worry about small setbacks or inconveniences. It is similar to the idea that once you are in deep trouble, minor additional problems don't matter anymore, or 'over head, over ears.'

This proverb describes a person who lacks foresight and only takes action or makes improvements after suffering a consequence. It is used to characterize someone who learns lessons the hard way rather than being proactive or planning ahead.