తెగేదాకా లాగవద్దు
tegedaka lagavaddu
Do not pull until it snaps
This expression is used to advise someone not to push a situation, argument, or relationship to its breaking point. It emphasizes the importance of knowing when to stop before causing irreversible damage.
Related Phrases
పాడు ఊరిలో పోతరాజు
padu urilo potaraju
Potharaju in a ruined village
This expression is used to describe a person who behaves like a great leader or a powerful figure in a place where there is no competition or among people of low caliber. It is similar to the English proverb 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'
మారుచీర లేక మేలుచీర కట్టుకొన్నట్లు
maruchira leka meluchira kattukonnatlu
Like wearing a high-end saree because one does not have a spare change of clothes.
This expression describes a situation where someone is forced to use an expensive or precious resource for a mundane task simply because they lack a basic or ordinary alternative. It highlights a lack of preparedness or the irony of using something luxury out of necessity rather than choice.
ఒత్తు పొత్తును చెరుచును.
ottu pottunu cheruchunu.
Closeness ruins the sharing.
This proverb suggests that excessive intimacy or being too crowded/interfering in a shared arrangement or partnership can lead to conflicts and eventually spoil the relationship or the work being done together.
తిండికి తిమ్మరాజు, పనికి పోతురాజు
tindiki timmaraju, paniki poturaju
A king at eating, but a buffalo at working.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is very enthusiastic and consumes a lot when it comes to food, but becomes extremely lazy or avoids effort when it is time to work. It highlights the irony of having great energy for consumption but zero energy for productivity.
రోటిలో తలదూర్చి రోకటి పోటుకు వెరచినట్లు
rotilo taladurchi rokati potuku verachinatlu
After putting your head in the mortar, being afraid of the pestle's blow.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone voluntarily takes on a difficult or risky task and then complains or gets scared when the inevitable challenges or consequences arise. It emphasizes that once you commit to a difficult path, you must be prepared to face the hardships that come with it.
కంచే చేను మేసినట్లు
kanche chenu mesinatlu
Like the fence itself grazing the crop
This expression is used to describe a situation where a protector or guardian ends up being the one who causes harm or exploits those they were meant to protect. It is typically applied to corrupt officials, untrustworthy guardians, or leaders who betray the trust placed in them.
తిండికి తిమ్మరాజు, పనికి పోతరాజు
tindiki timmaraju, paniki potaraju
He is a Timma Râzu (monkey-king) at eating; and a Pôta Râzu ( buffalo-king ) at work.
This proverb is used to describe a lazy person who is always first in line when it comes to eating or enjoying benefits, but disappears or becomes completely incompetent when there is work to be done. 'Thimmaraju' implies a regal presence at the dining table, while 'Potharaju' here signifies someone who avoids tasks or is useless at labor.
As greedy as a monkey and as lazy as a buffalo. Like the smith's dog, that sleeps at the sound of the hammer, and wakes at the crashing of the teeth. He eats till he sweats, and works till he freezes.
తూట్లు మూసి, తూములు తెరిచినట్లు.
tutlu musi, tumulu terichinatlu.
Closing the small holes while leaving the large sluice gates open.
This proverb describes a situation of being 'penny wise and pound foolish.' It refers to people who waste time or effort fixing minor, insignificant problems (leaks) while ignoring massive, glaring issues (open gates) that cause far more damage or loss.
తోసిరాజను
tosirajanu
To push aside and rule
This expression is used when someone or something is completely ignored, dismissed, or disregarded in favor of something else. It implies setting aside an established rule, person, or suggestion to move forward with a different choice.
నల్లులకు వెరచి ఇల్లు విడిచినట్లు.
nallulaku verachi illu vidichinatlu.
Like leaving the house out of fear for bedbugs.
This proverb describes an extreme or foolish overreaction to a minor nuisance. It is used when someone gives up something very valuable or essential just to escape a small, manageable problem.