తన్నే కాలికి రోలు అడ్డమైనట్లు

tanne kaliki rolu addamainatlu

Translation

Like a mortar stone getting in the way of a kicking leg.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to cause harm or act aggressively backfires or meets a solid, painful obstacle. It implies that a person's bad intentions resulted in their own injury or that an aggressive act was immediately met with a harsh consequence.

Related Phrases

For one jumping over a well, even a gap as small as a tamarind seed is still a gap.

This proverb emphasizes that in certain critical tasks, missing the goal by a tiny margin is the same as failing completely. It is used to highlight that 'almost' or 'nearly' is not enough when total precision or success is required to avoid disaster, much like how falling short of the edge of a well by even a millimeter results in falling in.

Going for pride and tying a mortar stone around one's neck

This expression describes a situation where someone, driven by ego or a false sense of pride, takes on a burden or makes a decision that ultimately causes them great hardship or self-destruction. It is used when someone's stubbornness or anger leads to a self-inflicted problem.

If a swollen finger becomes the size of a mortar, how big would a swollen mortar become?

This proverb is used to describe a situation that has already grown out of proportion or when someone is making unreasonable demands. It implies that if a small problem has already caused such massive chaos, any further complication would be unimaginable. It is also used to mock someone who exaggerates a minor issue or when someone who is already wealthy or powerful complains about wanting more.

As if one is pure, and as if the bamboo screen is secure.

This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be virtuous or meticulous while their actions or surroundings are clearly flawed. It describes a situation where a person claims to be 'pure' (chokkam) while relying on a flimsy 'bamboo screen' (tadaka) for protection or privacy, highlighting hypocrisy or a false sense of security.

Like catching a flying thorn bush with one's own foot.

This expression is used when someone unnecessarily involves themselves in a problem that has nothing to do with them, resulting in self-inflicted trouble. It describes a situation where an individual invites a nuisance or a complication into their life that could have easily been avoided.

Like a blind man's leg becoming a support for a lame person.

This expression describes a situation where two people with different disabilities or weaknesses cooperate to help each other. It signifies mutual aid or synergy where one person's strength compensates for another's weakness, and vice-versa, allowing both to achieve what they couldn't alone.

The mortar came in the way of the foot which kicked. A fortunate hindrance in the commission of an act of violence.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's attempt to cause harm or act aggressively backfires, causing them more pain or injury than intended for others. It signifies that one's own impulsive or hostile actions can lead to self-inflicted consequences when they encounter a solid, immovable obstacle.

Even if it is delayed, one should give birth to a child with an attached umbilical cord.

This proverb emphasizes quality over speed. It suggests that it is better to wait and achieve a perfect or legitimate result rather than rushing and ending up with something flawed or incomplete. It is often used to advise patience in important matters to ensure a successful outcome.

Is a bamboo screen an obstacle for a person if it cannot even stop a dog?

This proverb is used to describe something that is very weak or ineffective. It suggests that if a barrier or a rule is too flimsy to stop a simple animal like a dog, it certainly won't stop a determined human being. It is often applied to weak laws, poor security, or flimsy excuses.

Like tying a stone mortar around one's neck out of pride or spite.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person, driven by ego, pride, or stubbornness, takes an action that only causes them self-harm or creates an unnecessary burden. It highlights the foolishness of letting one's emotions lead to a decision that is difficult to sustain or carries heavy consequences.