తురక, మరక తిరగేసి నరక.
turaka, maraka tiragesi naraka.
Turk, stain, turn them over and chop.
This is a rhythmic folk saying or a tongue twister emphasizing that certain things (originally referring to stains on clothes or tough situations) need to be handled thoroughly from both sides to be resolved. In a modern context, it is often used as a playful rhyming phrase or to suggest that one should be relentless in tackling a problem.
Related Phrases
ఇల్లు ఇరకటం ఆలి మరకటం
illu irakatam ali marakatam
A cramped house and a stubborn wife.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme discomfort or a person facing hardships both physically and emotionally. It is used to signify that life becomes difficult when one's living space is too small and their life partner is uncooperative or troublesome.
నరకంలో నారాయణుడుంటాడా?
narakamlo narayanuduntada?
Would Narayana (Lord Vishnu) reside in hell?
This expression is used to indicate that one cannot find goodness, peace, or noble people in a place filled with evil or chaos. It suggests that a person's environment dictates what one can expect to find there, or that a divine/pure soul would not be found in a sinful or wretched situation.
వారకాంతలేల వలచెదరూరక
varakantalela valachedaruraka
Why would courtesans love for no reason?
This expression implies that people with vested interests or those who offer services for money do not show affection or favor without expecting something in return. It is used to caution someone against believing that a person motivated by profit is acting out of genuine selfless love.
నాలుక దాటితే నరకము
naluka datite narakamu
If it crosses the tongue, it is hell.
This expression warns about the consequences of lack of self-control in speech. Once a word is spoken (crosses the tongue), it cannot be taken back and can lead to trouble or ruinous consequences. It is used to advise someone to think carefully before speaking.
రోగాన పడీ పడీ నరకాన చేరాడు.
rogana padi padi narakana cheradu.
Having fallen ill repeatedly, he finally reached hell.
This expression describes someone who has suffered through prolonged, excruciating illness or hardship for a long time before finally passing away or reaching a state of absolute misery. It is used to emphasize a journey of continuous suffering where death or the final outcome feels like a tragic end to a painful process.
చెప్పితే పాపం గాని, తిరగేసి పొడిస్తే చస్తుంది అన్నట్లు
cheppite papam gani, tiragesi podiste chastundi annatlu
It is a sin to say it out loud, but if you flip it over and stab it, it will die.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone pretends to be innocent or virtuous while suggesting a cruel or obvious solution. It refers to a person who avoids taking direct responsibility for a harsh action but provides the exact instructions on how to commit it. It is often used to mock hypocritical advice.
చదవక ముందు కాకరకాయ, చదివిన తర్వాత కీకరకాయ
chadavaka mundu kakarakaya, chadivina tarvata kikarakaya
Before studying, it is a bitter gourd; after studying, it is a 'keekarakaya'.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be more educated or sophisticated after learning a little, but in reality, their knowledge is superficial or they have only learned to complicate simple things. It satirizes someone whose behavior or speech becomes unnecessarily complex or nonsensical after gaining education, rather than becoming wiser.
తల నరకడానికీ, మొల నరకడానికీ తారతమ్యమేమిటి?
tala narakadaniki, mola narakadaniki taratamyamemiti?
What is the difference between cutting off the head and cutting off the waist?
This expression is used when two different actions lead to the same ultimate outcome—in this case, death. It suggests that once the final result is the same (usually a negative or extreme one), the specific method or degree of the action becomes irrelevant. It is often used to question the logic of making minor distinctions between equally disastrous or final situations.
ఊరక 'మామ' అనక, 'పెళ్ళాం తండ్రీ' అన్నట్లు.
uraka mama anaka, pellam tandri annatlu.
Instead of simply saying 'Father-in-law', saying 'My wife's father'.
This expression is used to describe a person who explains something in a very roundabout or unnecessarily complicated way instead of being direct. It highlights the absurdity of using many words when a single, standard term (like 'Maama') exists.
నరకంలో కరుణలేదు, నాకంలో మరణం లేదు.
narakamlo karunaledu, nakamlo maranam ledu.
There is no mercy in Hell; there is no death in Heaven.
This expression highlights the fundamental characteristics of the afterlife realms in Hindu mythology: Hell (Naraka) is a place of absolute punishment where no sympathy is shown, while Heaven (Nakalu/Swarga) is a place of eternal life where the concept of mortality does not exist. It is used to describe situations of extremes or the inevitable nature of certain environments.