తెగేదాకా బిగించకూడదు.
tegedaka biginchakudadu.
Do not tighten it until it snaps.
This proverb advises against pushing a situation, relationship, or person to their absolute breaking point. It suggests practicing moderation and knowing when to stop before causing irreversible damage or conflict. It is commonly used in the context of negotiations or strict parenting/management.
Related Phrases
ఋషిమూలము, నదీమూలము, స్త్రీమూలము విచారించకూడదు.
rishimulamu, nadimulamu, strimulamu vicharinchakudadu.
Enquire not into the origin of a Ṛishi, a river, or a woman. Ṛishi is a saint. ( See Wilson's Sans. Diet. ) ఎ.
This proverb suggests that searching for the lineage or starting point of certain things is futile or inappropriate. A sage is judged by their wisdom, not their birth; a river is judged by its utility, not its source; and a woman's character or status should be respected regardless of her past or family background.
తాడు అని ఎత్తి పారవేయకూడదు, పాము అని దాటకూడదు
tadu ani etti paraveyakudadu, pamu ani datakudadu
Thinking it a rope, you should not take it up and throw it away; thinking it a snake you should not step over it.
This expression describes a state of extreme doubt or a situation that requires immense caution. It is used when a problem or object is ambiguous—where treating it lightly (like a rope) could be dangerous if it's actually a threat, but fearing it excessively (like a snake) prevents progress. It highlights the dilemma of uncertainty.
A very difficult person to deal with.
చెరకు అని వేళ్ళతో పెరకకూడదు
cheraku ani vellato perakakudadu
One should not uproot sugarcane by its roots just because it is sweet.
This proverb advises against being overly greedy or taking undue advantage of someone's kindness or a good situation. Just as pulling a sugarcane plant out by its roots destroys the source of future sweetness, exploiting a person or resource completely will eventually leave you with nothing. It emphasizes the importance of moderation and maintaining boundaries even when something is beneficial.
చూసి గాని తాగకూడదు, చదివి గాని సంతకం పెట్టకూడదు.
chusi gani tagakudadu, chadivi gani santakam pettakudadu.
Do not drink without looking, do not sign without reading.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of caution and due diligence in one's actions. Just as one should inspect a drink for impurities or harmful substances before consuming it, one must thoroughly read and understand any document before signing it to avoid legal or personal trouble. It is a warning against impulsive or blind actions.
తాడు అని ఎత్తి పారేయకూడదు, పాము అని దాటనూ కూడదు
tadu ani etti pareyakudadu, pamu ani datanu kudadu
Don't throw it away thinking it's a rope, and don't step over it thinking it's a snake.
This expression advises caution and careful evaluation when dealing with uncertain situations. It suggests that one should neither be negligent (thinking a problem is harmless like a rope) nor reckless (trying to bypass a danger without proper care). It is used to suggest a balanced, vigilant approach when the true nature of a situation is unknown.
పేదల బిగువు
pedala biguvu
Poor men's superciliousness.
This expression refers to the unnecessary pride or stubbornness shown by people who are not in a position to afford such an attitude. It is used to describe a situation where someone lacks resources but still acts with a stiff, unyielding, or overly dignified posture, often to their own disadvantage.
మంగళవారంనాడు మండెలు వేయకూడదు.
mangalavaramnadu mandelu veyakudadu.
One should not set up haystacks on a Tuesday.
This is a traditional agricultural superstition in Telugu culture. It suggests that starting significant agricultural work, specifically piling haystacks (mandelu), on a Tuesday brings bad luck or fire accidents. It is used to denote cultural taboos and the practice of choosing auspicious days for important tasks.
నెయ్యి అని తాగకూడదు, నూనె అని తలకు పూసుకోకూడదు.
neyyi ani tagakudadu, nune ani talaku pusukokudadu.
Thinking it to be Ghi you must not drink it, thinking it to be oil you must not rub it on your head.
This expression emphasizes the importance of moderation and appropriateness. It suggests that even good things can be harmful if overused or misused, and one must evaluate the context and quantity before acting, rather than blindly following a label.
నడుము మునిగేదాకానే చలి, నలుగురు వినేదాకానే సిగ్గు
nadumu munigedakane chali, naluguru vinedakane siggu
The cold lasts only until one is submerged up to the waist; the shame lasts only until four people hear about it.
This proverb highlights how initial hesitation or embarrassment disappears once a certain threshold is crossed. Just as the fear of cold water vanishes once you are halfway in, social stigma or shyness fades once the matter becomes public knowledge or you are fully committed to the action.
తడిసిన కుక్కి బిగిసినట్లు
tadisina kukki bigisinatlu
Like a wet knot tightening further.
This expression is used to describe a situation or problem that becomes more complicated, stubborn, or difficult to resolve over time or due to certain actions. Just as a wet hemp rope or knot becomes tighter and harder to undo, some issues become increasingly rigid and unmanageable.