వేలంత చోటిస్తే రోలంత నష్టం
velanta chotiste rolanta nashtam
If you give space as small as a finger, it leads to a loss as big as a mortar.
This expression is used to warn that giving someone even a tiny bit of leverage, opportunity, or space can result in them taking undue advantage and causing significant trouble or damage. It is similar to the English proverb: 'Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile.'
Related Phrases
లోభికి రెంట నష్టి.
lobhiki renta nashti.
A miser loses both ways.
This proverb describes how a person who is too greedy or miserly often ends up losing everything. It is used when someone's attempt to save a small amount of money or resources leads to a greater loss in two or more ways, or when they lose both the original investment and the expected gain.
* वरमेको गुणी पुत्रो न च मूर्खशतैरपि। एकश्चन्द्रस्तमो हन्ति न च तारागणैरपि॥
లోభికి నాలుగందాల నష్టం
lobhiki nalugandala nashtam
A miser suffers loss in four ways
This proverb explains that a miser, in an attempt to save small amounts of money, often ends up facing much larger losses or multiple disadvantages. It is used to highlight how extreme stinginess can backfire, leading to poor quality of life, loss of reputation, and eventual financial or material waste.
గోరు వాస్తే వేలంత, వేలు వాస్తే కాలంత, కాలు వాస్తే రోలంత, రోలు వాస్తే ఎంత?
goru vaste velanta, velu vaste kalanta, kalu vaste rolanta, rolu vaste enta?
If the nail swell, [it will be ] as big as the finger; if the finger swell, [it will be ] as big as the leg; if the leg swell, [it will be ] as big as a mortar; if the mortar swell, how big [ will it be ? ] Said in ridicule of a logician.
This is a humorous and logical Telugu proverb or riddle used to describe exaggeration or the concept of exponential growth/inflation. It highlights how a small issue, if left unchecked or exaggerated, can become absurdly large. It is often used to mock someone who is blowing things out of proportion or to point out the logical fallacy in a sequence of exaggerations.
గోరు వాచిన వేలంత, వేలు వాచిన కాలంత, కాలు వాచిన రోలంత, రోలు వాచిన ఎంత?
goru vachina velanta, velu vachina kalanta, kalu vachina rolanta, rolu vachina enta?
If a nail swells, it becomes the size of a finger; if a finger swells, it becomes the size of a leg; if a leg swells, it becomes the size of a mortar; if the mortar swells, how big would it be?
This is a rhythmic riddle or a satirical saying used to describe the logic of hyperbole or disproportionate growth. It highlights how problems can escalate in scale, or it is used as a humorous 'endless' question to stump someone, as a stone mortar (rolu) cannot actually swell.
జనుములో పాము పోతే పాతిక నష్టం
janumulo pamu pote patika nashtam
If a snake enters a hemp field, it is a twenty-five percent loss.
This proverb is used to describe situations where searching for a small problem causes more damage than the problem itself. When a snake enters a dense hemp (Janumu) field, the process of trampling and clearing the crops to find or kill it results in a significant loss of harvest, even if the snake is caught.
వేలు వాచి రోలంతయితే, రోలు వాస్తే మరెంత కావాలి?
velu vachi rolantayite, rolu vaste marenta kavali?
If a swollen finger becomes the size of a mortar, how big would a swollen mortar become?
This proverb is used to describe a situation that has already grown out of proportion or when someone is making unreasonable demands. It implies that if a small problem has already caused such massive chaos, any further complication would be unimaginable. It is also used to mock someone who exaggerates a minor issue or when someone who is already wealthy or powerful complains about wanting more.
వేలు పెట్టేందుకు చోటిస్తే కాలు దూర్చినట్లు.
velu pettenduku chotiste kalu durchinatlu.
If you give space to put a finger, they will push their whole leg in.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes undue advantage of a small favor or opportunity. It refers to people who, when given a little bit of freedom or access, end up overstepping their boundaries and encroaching entirely on one's space or authority.
గోరంత ఆలస్యం కొండంత నష్టం
goranta alasyam kondanta nashtam
A fingernail-sized delay causes a mountain-sized loss.
This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of punctuality and timely action. It suggests that even a tiny or negligible delay can lead to catastrophic or massive consequences. It is used to advise someone to be prompt and not to underestimate the risks of procrastination.
అశ్విని కురిస్తే అంతా నష్టం
ashvini kuriste anta nashtam
If it rains during Ashwini (Karti), it results in total loss.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb referring to the 'Ashwini Karti' period (usually mid-April). It suggests that rainfall during this specific time is detrimental to crops that are ready for harvest or in specific growth stages, leading to significant financial loss for farmers.
తేనె అంతా ఒకచోట, తెట్టె అంతా ఇంకొకచోట
tene anta okachota, tette anta inkokachota
All the honey is in one place, while the entire honeycomb is in another place.
This expression describes a situation where resources, people, or components that belong together are completely separated or disorganized. It is used to point out a lack of coordination or a mismatch where the essence of something is disconnected from its structure.