ఉండలేక పోతే, బొండను వెయ్యమన్నాడట.
undaleka pote, bondanu veyyamannadata.
If he can't keep quiet, put him in the stocks.
This expression is used to describe someone who makes extreme, irrational, or self-destructive decisions when faced with minor discomfort or temporary problems. It highlights the tendency to overreact or choose a permanent 'solution' to a temporary situation.
Related Phrases
ఆడలేక మద్దెల ఓడు అన్నట్లు (లేదా) ఆడలేక పాతగజ్జెలు అన్నట్లు
adaleka maddela odu annatlu (leda) adaleka patagajjelu annatlu
Like saying the dancing bells are old because one cannot dance.
This proverb is used to describe a person who blames their tools, circumstances, or others for their own lack of skill or failure. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'A bad workman always blames his tools.'
ఉండమనలేక ఊదర, పొమ్మనలేక పొగబెట్టినట్లు
undamanaleka udara, pommanaleka pogabettinatlu
Unable to ask them to stay, one creates a suffocating stench; unable to ask them to leave, one uses smoke.
This proverb describes a passive-aggressive way of getting rid of someone. Instead of directly asking a person to leave, someone creates such uncomfortable or unbearable conditions that the person is forced to leave on their own. It is used in situations where social etiquette prevents directness, leading to subtle or harsh discouragement.
ఊరికే ఉండలేకపోతే, ఉరి పెట్టుకో.
urike undalekapote, uri pettuko.
If you can't be quiet, hang yourself.
This is a sarcastic and harsh rebuke used against someone who is constantly restless, meddling in others' affairs, or causing trouble because they cannot sit still. It implies that if they are so bored that they must act recklessly or annoyingly, they might as well do something extreme.
పిల్లను చూచి పీట వెయ్యమన్నట్టు
pillanu chuchi pita veyyamannattu
Like saying to place the wooden stool only after seeing the bride.
This proverb suggests that one should evaluate the situation or the person before making a commitment or offering hospitality. It emphasizes the importance of verifying facts or seeing the actual person/object before proceeding with subsequent actions, often used in contexts of marriage or business deals.
తిని ఉండలేను, తీసి బొందవెట్టు.
tini undalenu, tisi bondavettu.
I cannot stay after eating, take it and bury it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy or ungrateful. It refers to someone who wants to enjoy a meal but refuses to do even the smallest bit of work or cleaning afterward, expecting others to handle everything, including 'burying' or clearing away the remains.
దున్న ఈనినదంటే, దూడను గాట కట్టి వేయమన్నట్లు
dunna ininadante, dudanu gata katti veyamannatlu
When someone says the male buffalo has given birth, the other person asks to tie the calf to the peg.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone blindly believes or agrees with an absurdity without using any logic or common sense. It highlights the foolishness of following a false statement with an even more irrational action.
తిని ఉండలేక, తాగి బొందను పడినట్లు
tini undaleka, tagi bondanu padinatlu
Like eating too much, getting drunk, and falling into a pit.
This expression is used to describe a person who, despite having everything they need (food and comfort), creates unnecessary trouble for themselves through reckless behavior or bad habits. It refers to someone who ruins their own peace or stability by overindulging or being irresponsible.
లేనివాడు లేక ఏడిస్తే, ఉన్నవాడు తినలేక పడ్డాడట
lenivadu leka ediste, unnavadu tinaleka paddadata
While the one who has nothing cries because he lacks, the one who has everything suffers because he cannot eat it.
This proverb highlights that both poverty and wealth come with their own sets of problems. While a poor person suffers from deprivation, a rich person may suffer from health issues, greed, or the inability to enjoy their abundance. It is often used to describe situations where everyone has a grievance, regardless of their status.
కూడూ గుడ్డా అడగక పోతే, బిడ్డను సాకినట్టు సాకుతాను అన్నాడట
kudu gudda adagaka pote, biddanu sakinattu sakutanu annadata
If you don't ask me for food and raiment I will care for you as my own child.
This is a sarcastic proverb used to describe someone who offers help or a deal that is fundamentally impossible or hypocritical. Since 'taking care' of someone inherently requires providing food and clothing, promising to do so only on the condition that they don't ask for those essentials is nonsensical. It is used when someone places conditions that negate the very purpose of the support they are offering.
Good words and no decds are rushes and reeds. Fair words butter no parsnips.
తప్పులేనివాణ్ని ఉప్పులో వేయమన్నాడట
tappulenivanni uppulo veyamannadata
Put the faultless man into the salt. If you cannot ruin him in any other way, put him into the Salt Depart- ment—there, you can easily bring a charge of dishonesty against him and get rid of him.
This proverb is used to describe an illogical, unjust, or tyrannical person who punishes someone innocent. Just as putting someone in salt is painful and destructive, the saying highlights the height of injustice where a person who has done nothing wrong is subjected to severe punishment due to someone's whim or arrogance.