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.
Related Phrases
అవ్వను పట్టుకొని వసంతాలాడినట్టు
avvanu pattukoni vasantaladinattu
Like playing games with your grand-mother. Lit. "Throwing scarlet water over her," a sport among young people as marriages, &c.
This expression is used to describe an inappropriate or disrespectful act where someone behaves in a frivolous or playful manner with a person who deserves respect and dignity due to their age or stature. It highlights actions that are out of place or cross the boundaries of social etiquette.
Disrespectful and unseemly conduct towards elderly people.
కాలు పట్టుకొని లాగితే చూరు పట్టుకొని వేళ్ళాడినట్టు
kalu pattukoni lagite churu pattukoni velladinattu
When someone pulls the leg, hanging onto the eaves of the roof.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely stubborn or desperate to stay in a position or relationship even when they are being forcefully removed or rejected. It signifies a tenacious, often annoying, refusal to let go despite clear opposition.
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.
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.
ముక్కు పట్టుకుంటే ప్రాణం పోదా?
mukku pattukunte pranam poda?
If I touch your nose will you lose your life ? A Guru was endeavouring to initiate his disciple into the mysteries of Prânâyâma ( see Wilson ) and touched his nose which the unwilling disciple pretended caused him intense pain. " This ceremony is performed in the following manner: 1st he [ the Brahman ] presses in the right nostril with the fourth finger of his left hand, repeating the name of each Deity; and counting them nine times over upon the joints of the fingers of his right hand with great rapidity, half closing his eyes the while, and drawing in his breath : then gently pressing in the left nostril with the thumb, he breathes out, repeating the same name as many times over. Then releasing the right nostril, and still pressing in the left with the thumb, he terminates the Prunayama [ Prânâyâma. ]" ( The Sundâya by Mrs. S. C. Belnos. ) Said of a lazy sculk.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a small or simple action has a direct, inevitable, and significant consequence. It is often used to point out that even a minor provocation or obstruction can lead to a major failure or total stop in functionality, much like how blocking someone's breath (at the nose) leads to the end of life.
గచ్చపొద పట్టుకున్నట్లు
gachchapoda pattukunnatlu
Like holding onto a thorny grey nicker bush
This expression is used to describe getting stuck in a situation where you cannot move forward, yet letting go or moving back is equally painful or difficult. It represents a 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' scenario where any action taken results in hurt or complication.
గబ్బిలము ఆకాశము పడకుండా పట్టుకొంటాననుకొన్నట్టు.
gabbilamu akashamu padakunda pattukontananukonnattu.
Like the bat which thinks it holds up the sky and keeps it from falling.
This proverb is used to mock an individual's arrogance or delusions of grandeur. It describes a person who overestimates their own importance or capabilities, believing that a massive task or organization is succeeding solely because of their insignificant efforts.
Said of a man who thinks everything depends on himself.
పసులముండా అంటే పట్టుతల్లీ అన్నట్టు
pasulamunda ante pattutalli annattu
When called a cattle-widow, she interpreted it as being called a golden mother.
This proverb describes a person who is so thick-skinned, delusional, or foolish that they interpret a harsh insult as a great compliment. It is used to mock someone who fails to understand criticism or remains blissfully unaware of being mocked.
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.
అవ్వని పట్టుకొని, వసంతమాడినట్టు
avvani pattukoni, vasantamadinattu
Like playing spring festivals (Holi) with an old grandmother.
This expression is used to describe an inappropriate or disrespectful act where someone mocks or plays a prank on a vulnerable, elderly, or serious person who is not an appropriate peer for such behavior. It signifies doing something at the wrong time, in the wrong place, or with the wrong person.