ఓడ పగిలినా కళాసులకి ఏమిటి భయం?
oda pagilina kalasulaki emiti bhayam?
Like the crew of a wrecked ship. In a miserable plight. Said of something sudden and alarming.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where subordinates or employees are not worried about the loss or failure of a project or business because they don't have a personal stake or investment in it. They believe they can simply find work elsewhere, while only the owner suffers the loss. It highlights a lack of responsibility or ownership among workers.
Related Phrases
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.
బూడిద గుంటలో కుక్క
budida guntalo kukka
Like a dog lying in the warm ashes. Keeping quiet for a while, but soon returning to mischief.
This expression is used to describe a person who settles into a comfortable or lazy situation and refuses to move or take up responsibilities. Just as a dog finds warmth in a pit of warm ashes and remains there stubbornly, it refers to someone who is stagnant and indifferent to their surroundings or progress.
పొడుపుం బాము
podupum bamu
Like the Boa Constrictor.
This expression refers to someone who is a quiet but dangerous instigator. It describes a person who hides their intentions like a snake in a hole and suddenly 'pokes' or strikes at the right moment to create trouble or conflict.
Applied to indolent persons; or to those who, from religious motives, separate themselves from the world and strive to quench all natural emotions.
నివురు గప్పిన నిప్పు
nivuru gappina nippu
Fire covered with embers. Said of a very learned and humble man.
This expression refers to a hidden talent, an underlying emotion, or a latent danger that is not immediately visible. Just as hot coal remains burning underneath a layer of ash, it describes someone or something that appears calm or dormant on the outside but possesses great intensity, power, or suppressed anger within.
* Dame donde me asienta, que yo me haré donde me acuesta.
తగిలిన కాలికే తగులును, నొగిలిన కొంపే నొగులును.
tagilina kalike tagulunu, nogilina kompe nogulunu.
The toe that is already stubbed gets stubbed again; the house that is already suffering suffers more.
This proverb describes how misfortunes often pile up on those who are already struggling. It is used to convey that troubles tend to haunt the same person repeatedly, similar to the English expression 'When it rains, it pours.'
వెన్నబడే సమయానికి బాన పగిలినట్టు
vennabade samayaniki bana pagilinattu
Like the pot breaking just when the butter was about to form
This expression is used to describe a situation where a major disaster or failure occurs at the very last moment, just when success or the desired result was within reach. It represents unfortunate timing and the loss of hard work right before it pays off.
రేగుచెట్టు కింద ముసలమ్మ
reguchettu kinda musalamma
Like the old woman under the Rēgu tree. To knock off the fruit, boys were throwing stones into the tree, and they fell on the old woman who was too infirm to move away. An unfortunate position.
This phrase refers to someone who is talkative and gossips excessively. It originates from the image of an old woman sitting in the shade of a jujube tree (Regu chettu), where people gather, leading to endless chatting and rumor-mongering.
ఇనుపకుండ పగిలితే అతుకవచ్చునుగాని, మట్టికుండ పగిలితే అతుకలేదు
inupakunda pagilite atukavachchunugani, mattikunda pagilite atukaledu
An iron pot can be mended if it breaks, but a clay pot cannot be mended if it breaks.
This proverb highlights the difference between salvageable and irreparable damage. It is often used to compare relationships or situations: strong bonds (iron) can be repaired after a conflict, but delicate trust or certain reputations (clay) are permanently destroyed once broken.
బురద గుంటలో పంది
burada guntalo pandi
Like a pig in the mire.
This expression is used to describe someone who is in their element or perfectly happy in a situation that others might find dirty, messy, or unpleasant. It can also refer to a person who is lazy and refuses to leave a stagnant or bad situation because they find it comfortable.
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.