తీగ కదిలిస్తే పొదంతా కదులుతుంది
tiga kadiliste podanta kadulutundi
If you pull a vine, the whole bush shakes
This expression refers to situations where a small action or a single point of inquiry reveals a much larger, interconnected network or complex problem. It is often used in contexts like investigations where pulling on one lead exposes everyone involved in a conspiracy or a large group of people.
Related Phrases
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi
If left alone it ripens, if plucked out it withers.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and letting things take their natural course. Just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen and will wither if picked too early, certain situations or relationships require time and space to mature. It is used to advise against being impulsive or forceful.
కాకి తన్నిందంటే పేగు కదులుతుంది
kaki tannindante pegu kadulutundi
If a crow kicks, the intestines will move.
This expression is used to mock someone who is being overly dramatic or exaggerating a minor event. It suggests that the person is pretending a tiny, insignificant action (like a kick from a small bird) has caused them deep internal injury or significant distress.
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
తీగ లాగితే డొంకంతా కదిలినట్లు
tiga lagite donkanta kadilinatlu
When the creeper was pulled the whole bush shook. Injury to the head of the house reaches to all the members.
This expression is used when a small action or a single lead reveals a much larger hidden connection or a whole network of information. Similar to 'tugging at a thread,' it implies that investigating one small part of a situation can expose the entire hidden reality or involve everyone associated with it.
ఒక తీగ లాగితే పొదంతా కదిలినట్లు
oka tiga lagite podanta kadilinatlu
Like the whole bush shaking when a single vine is pulled
This expression refers to a situation where a single action or investigation leads to the discovery of many interconnected things. It is commonly used when a small lead in a case or problem reveals a massive network or a larger chain of events, showing that things are more linked than they initially appeared.
ముండ కాదు, ముత్తయిదువ కాదు
munda kadu, muttayiduva kadu
Neither a widow, nor a married woman. Said by a man kept in suspense, neither granted nor refused a request, and not knowing whether he was to be as fortunate as a married woman or as unfortunate as a widow.
This expression is used to describe someone or something that is in an ambiguous or uncertain state, belonging to neither of two distinct categories. It often refers to a person who lacks a clear identity or a situation that remains unresolved and 'in-between.'
చిలుము వదిలితే, ఛిద్రం వదులుతుంది.
chilumu vadilite, chhidram vadulutundi.
When the "tin" goes, household broils disappear. Chilumu is properly rust on other metals than iron; it is a slang term for money.
This expression suggests that getting rid of a minor nuisance or bad habit (rust) might lead to losing the entire object (the hole/the structure) or that resolving a small initial problem might inadvertently expose or solve a deeper flaw. It is often used to imply that some flaws are so integrated into a situation that trying to fix them might change the situation entirely.
తీగ లాగీతే డొంక అంతా కదిలినట్లు.
tiga lagite donka anta kadilinatlu.
When we pull at a creeper, the whole bush is moved.
This is to suggest that if a small thing is disturbed, it leads to a lot of movement. It suggests that when a small clue is obtained in an investigation, it may lead to unexpected connections and result in the nabbing of the real culprit.
మనిషి చస్తే మాట మిగులుతుంది, ఎద్దు చస్తే ఎముక మిగులుతుంది.
manishi chaste mata migulutundi, eddu chaste emuka migulutundi.
When a man dies, his words remain; when an ox dies, its bones remain.
This proverb emphasizes that a person's legacy is defined by the words they spoke and the reputation they built during their lifetime. While an animal leaves behind physical remains like bones or hide, a human's lasting impact is the influence of their character and speech. It is used to encourage people to speak kindly and live honorably so they are remembered well.
తగిలిన కాలే తగులుతుంది.
tagilina kale tagulutundi.
A wounded foot is always striking against something.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where misfortunes or problems seem to follow a person who is already in trouble. It is similar to the English expression 'misfortunes never come singly' or 'when it rains, it pours.' It highlights how vulnerable points are often the ones that suffer repeated setbacks.