ఊరకుండలేక ఉప్పరిని తగులుకుంటే, తట్టకొక తన్ను తగిలిస్తున్నాడు
urakundaleka upparini tagulukunte, tattakoka tannu tagilistunnadu
When one couldn't stay quiet and picked a fight with a mason, he kicked for every basket carried.
This proverb describes a situation where someone unnecessarily interferes in someone else's business or picks an avoidable argument, only to end up being humiliated or punished repeatedly. It is used to warn someone against meddling in affairs that don't concern them, especially when it results in predictable trouble.
Related Phrases
తగిలిన వేలికే మళ్ళీ తగులుతుంది.
tagilina velike malli tagulutundi.
The toe that is already injured is the one that gets hit again.
This proverb is used to describe a streak of bad luck or a situation where troubles seem to accumulate for someone who is already suffering. It is similar to the English expression 'When it rains, it pours.'
ఇనుముకు తగిలిన పీడ ఇంగలానికి తగిలింది
inumuku tagilina pida ingalaniki tagilindi
The trouble that befell the iron has now befallen the charcoal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an innocent associate or a bystander suffers the same harsh punishment or hardship as the main culprit. Just as charcoal is burnt and exhausted while heating iron in a forge, an innocent person often gets caught up and destroyed in the process of dealing with a problematic person or situation.
తాడి తన్ను వాని తల తన్ను వాడు ఉండును.
tadi tannu vani tala tannu vadu undunu.
There will be one who can kick the head of the one who kicks the top of a palm tree.
There are always people who are of superior abilities. One should try for the best in life, but after achieving a good position in life, one should not feel that one is at the top of the world; there are still higher peaks to reach.
ఉండి ఉండి ఉప్పరవానిని కట్టుకొంటే, తట్ట తట్టకు తలపోతలే.
undi undi upparavanini kattukonte, tatta tattaku talapotale.
After waiting and waiting, if one marries a digger (laborer), there will be head-washings (ceremonial or literal) for every basket carried.
This proverb describes a situation where someone waits a long time to make a choice, only to end up with a difficult or laborious situation. It specifically refers to the disappointment when a long-awaited decision results in unexpected hardships or constant, repetitive struggles.
వెట్టివాని చేతిరాయి తగిలెనా తగులును, తప్పినా తప్పను
vettivani chetirayi tagilena tagulunu, tappina tappanu
A stone thrown by an unskilled laborer might hit the target or it might miss it entirely.
This proverb is used to describe actions or outcomes that are completely dependent on luck or chance rather than skill or planning. It implies that when someone incompetent or careless does something, there is no guarantee of the result; it is purely accidental if it works out.
కుండ వెళ్లి బిందెకు తగిలినా, బిందె వచ్చి కుండకు తగిలినా కుండకే నష్టం
kunda velli bindeku tagilina, binde vachchi kundaku tagilina kundake nashtam
Whether the clay pot goes and hits the brass pot, or the brass pot comes and hits the clay pot, it is the clay pot that gets damaged.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a weak or vulnerable person is always the one who suffers in a conflict with a powerful person, regardless of who started the fight or how it occurred. It emphasizes that in an unequal power dynamic, the consequences are always borne by the weaker party.
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.
దున్న తగిలితే మన్ను ముట్టవలెను
dunna tagilite mannu muttavalenu
If you touch the bullock, you must touch the soil.
This proverb emphasizes the necessity of hard work and physical labor to achieve results. It implies that if one engages in agriculture or any significant task (symbolized by the bullock), they must be prepared to get their hands dirty and work the land (the soil) to see success.
తాకిన వ్రేలుకే తట్టు తగులుతుంది.
takina vreluke tattu tagulutundi.
The injured finger is the one that keeps getting hit.
This expression is used to describe a situation where troubles or misfortunes seem to repeatedly affect the same person or the same weak spot. It is similar to the English proverb 'Misfortunes never come singly' or the idea that 'it always pours when it rains.' It highlights how a person already in distress often faces further complications.
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.