తల ప్రాణం తోకకు వచ్చినట్లు
tala pranam tokaku vachchinatlu
The life in a man's head went into his tail. Applied to strenuous exertions made to accomplish a difficult task.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme exhaustion, severe struggle, or an incredibly difficult ordeal. It conveys the feeling of being pushed to one's absolute limits, as if one's life force is barely hanging on after a grueling task.
Related Phrases
కరికి ప్రాణము తొండము, సిరికి ప్రాణము మగువ.
kariki pranamu tondamu, siriki pranamu maguva.
The life of an elephant is its trunk, the life of wealth is the woman.
This proverb highlights the vital importance of certain elements to an entity's existence. Just as an elephant depends entirely on its trunk for survival and strength, a household's prosperity (Sri) is believed to reside in and depend upon the character, conduct, and well-being of the woman of the house.
కాపు వచ్చిన ఏడే కరువు వచ్చినది.
kapu vachchina ede karuvu vachchinadi.
The famine came in the very year that the cultivator came to the village. An unfortunate coincidence.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme bad luck or irony where success and disaster occur simultaneously. It is used when a long-awaited positive outcome or reward is immediately neutralized or ruined by an unexpected calamity, leaving no chance to enjoy the fruits of one's labor.
కంఠగత ప్రాణముగా ఉన్నది
kanthagata pranamuga unnadi
Life is stuck in the throat
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme distress, agony, or a critical situation where one is barely holding onto life or survival. It can refer to physical illness nearing death or metaphorical situations of intense pressure and anxiety.
మాటకు ప్రాణము సత్యము, కోటకు ప్రాణము మానము, చీటికి ప్రాణము వ్రాలు
mataku pranamu satyamu, kotaku pranamu manamu, chitiki pranamu vralu
Truth is the life of a word, honor is the life of a woman, and a signature is the life of a document.
This proverb emphasizes the essential quality that gives value or 'life' to certain things. It teaches that a word is only meaningful if it is true, a person's character is defined by their dignity and honor, and a document or letter only gains legal or formal validity through a signature.
తిండికి వచ్చావా? తీర్థానికి వచ్చావా?
tindiki vachchava? tirthaniki vachchava?
Have you come to eat or to visit the shrine ?
This expression is used to question a person's priorities or motives when they seem more interested in superficial benefits (like food) rather than the primary purpose or spiritual significance of an event (like receiving holy water at a temple). It is often used to chide someone who is distracted by secondary perks.
గుర్రము తోకకు కళ్లెము పెట్టినట్టు
gurramu tokaku kallemu pettinattu
Like putting the bridle on the horse's tail. To put the cart before the horse.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is doing something in a completely wrong, backward, or illogical manner. Just as a bridle belongs on a horse's head to control it, putting it on the tail is useless and absurd. It highlights fundamental errors in planning or execution.
నక్కకొమ్ము తొక్కి వచ్చినాడు
nakkakommu tokki vachchinadu
He came after stepping on a fox's horn
This expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally lucky or experiencing a sudden stroke of great fortune. Since foxes do not actually have horns, finding or 'stepping' on one is considered a mythical omen of extreme prosperity and success in Telugu folklore.
కాడికిందకు వచ్చిన గొడ్డు, చేతికిందకు వచ్చిన బిడ్డ
kadikindaku vachchina goddu, chetikindaku vachchina bidda
The ox that has come under the yoke, and the child who has come to hand.
This proverb highlights two stages of life where support is expected. Just as an ox is ready to share the burden of farm work once it fits the yoke, a child is expected to assist and support their parents once they grow up and become capable. It refers to the point when a person or animal becomes productive and helpful to the family.
కళ్యాణము వచ్చినా కక్కు వచ్చినా ఆగదు
kalyanamu vachchina kakku vachchina agadu
When marriage comes, or vomiting, it cannot be stopped.
This proverb is used to indicate that certain events in life are inevitable and beyond human control once they are set in motion. Just as a physical urge like vomiting cannot be suppressed, significant life events like marriage will happen when the time is right, regardless of attempts to delay or stop them.
తినమరిగిన ప్రాణం అల్లాడి చచ్చింది
tinamarigina pranam alladi chachchindi
The body accustomed to sumptuous living was distressed for want of food. Applied to a man whose malpractices have been put a stop to, but who is eagerly seeking an opportunity of renewing them.
This expression describes a situation where someone who is used to a life of luxury, comfort, or indulgence suffers immensely when those comforts are taken away. It is used to highlight the struggle of overcoming a habit or a standard of living that one has become overly dependent upon.