తిక్కలవాడు తిరునాళ్ళకు పోతే, ఎక్కాదిగా ఏడునాళ్ళు పట్టిందట.
tikkalavadu tirunallaku pote, ekkadiga edunallu pattindata.
When a foolish man went to a fair, it took him seven days just to climb up.
This proverb is used to describe an eccentric or foolish person who gets distracted or stuck on a simple, initial task, taking an excessive amount of time to accomplish something that should be quick. It mocks those who lack focus or common sense in practical situations.
Related Phrases
తిరునాళ్లకు పోతావా, తిండికి పోతావా?
tirunallaku potava, tindiki potava?
Are you going for the festival ( lit. holy days ) or for the feast ?
This expression is used to question someone's true motives or priorities. It highlights a situation where a person claims to be attending an event for its primary purpose (like a religious festival) but is actually more interested in secondary benefits or personal gains (like the free food).
తిండిలేనమ్మ తిరుణాళ్లకు పోతే ఎక్కనూ దిగనూ సరిపోయిందట
tindilenamma tirunallaku pote ekkanu diganu saripoyindata
When a woman who had no food went to a fair, her time was spent just climbing up and down.
This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks basic resources but attempts a grand or busy task, only to find that the effort required for the logistics of the task consumes all their energy without yielding any benefit. It is used to mock people who participate in events they cannot afford or sustain, resulting in unnecessary struggle instead of enjoyment.
మూడునాళ్ళ ముచ్చట
mudunalla muchchata
A three-day pleasure
This expression refers to something that is short-lived or a temporary joy. It is used to describe situations, relationships, or trends that are transient and do not last for a long time.
తిరునాళ్ళకు పోయి వచ్చిన మొహం మాదిరి
tirunallaku poyi vachchina moham madiri
Like a face that has returned from a religious fair (Tirunalla)
This expression is used to describe someone who looks extremely exhausted, weary, or unkempt. Religious fairs in India are traditionally crowded, dusty, and physically draining; therefore, a person returning from one would look tired and drained of energy.
తిండిలేనమ్మ తిరునాళ్ళకుపోతే ఎక్కాదిగా సరిపోయింది
tindilenamma tirunallakupote ekkadiga saripoyindi
If a woman with no food goes to a festival, it's just enough for her to climb (the stairs/hill).
This proverb describes a situation where someone who is already struggling takes on a new endeavor, only to find that the effort required for the endeavor consumes whatever little resources they had left. It is used when a person's attempt to improve their situation or enjoy something actually results in more exhaustion or loss because they were ill-prepared or lacked the basic means to begin with.
ఆ దారి ఎక్కడికి పోతుంది అని అంటే, ఎక్కడికీ పోదు, నేను పుట్టింది మొదలు ఇక్కడే ఉంది అన్నట్లు.
a dari ekkadiki potundi ani ante, ekkadiki podu, nenu puttindi modalu ikkade undi annatlu.
When asked where that road goes, replying that it doesn't go anywhere and has been right here since I was born.
A humorous or sarcastic expression used to describe a person who interprets a question too literally or lacks common sense. It mocks the ignorance of someone who fails to understand that 'where does the road go' refers to its destination, not its physical movement.
తేరుండేదాకానే తిరునాళ్లు.
terundedakane tirunallu.
The festival lasts only as long as the chariot is there.
This proverb suggests that certain opportunities, privileges, or attention are temporary and only last as long as the main attraction or source of power remains. It is used to remind someone that their current influence or the celebrations around them will end once the central figure or cause departs.
తీరుతీరు గుడ్డలు కట్టుకొని, తిరునాళ్ళకు పోతే, ఊరికొక గుడ్డ ఊడిపోయిందట
tirutiru guddalu kattukoni, tirunallaku pote, urikoka gudda udipoyindata
When one went to the village fair wearing various kinds of clothes, one cloth fell off at every village along the way.
This proverb describes a situation where someone loses their assets, pride, or resources bit by bit due to mismanagement, misfortune, or a long journey. It is often used to mock someone who starts with a lot of pomp and show but ends up with nothing by the time they reach their destination.
లెక్కలు చూచినవాడి తిక్కలు తిరుగుతాయి
lekkalu chuchinavadi tikkalu tirugutayi
The eccentricities (or confusion) of the one who looks into accounts will revolve.
This expression means that when a person gets deeply involved in accounting, financial details, or complex calculations, they often become mentally exhausted, confused, or even a bit eccentric. It is used to describe the mental strain and frustration that comes with managing intricate finances or dealing with stressful bookkeeping.
దిగులు పడితే, వెతలు తీరునా?
digulu padite, vetalu tiruna?
If you fear, will the pain be less?
This expression is used to advise someone that worrying or being anxious about a problem does not solve it. It emphasizes that constant worrying is futile and only action or time can heal difficulties. It is similar to the English sentiment 'Worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace.'