వేళ్లకు నీళ్లు పోస్తేనే కొనలకు అందుతాయి
vellaku nillu postene konalaku andutayi
Only if you pour water at the roots will it reach the tips (of the tree).
This proverb emphasizes that to achieve success or see results in the branches/tips, one must address the fundamental source or the root cause. It is used to explain that investing effort at the foundation is necessary for overall growth and success.
Related Phrases
కొండలు పడ్డ కొన్నాళ్ళకు కోనలూ పడును
kondalu padda konnallaku konalu padunu
After the mountains fall, the valleys will also fall in a few days.
This expression refers to the inevitable ripple effect of a major catastrophe or the downfall of a powerful entity. It implies that when great people or large institutions collapse, those who depend on them or are associated with them (the smaller entities) will eventually face the same fate soon after.
వెంపలి చెట్లకు నిచ్చెన వేసినట్లు
vempali chetlaku nichchena vesinatlu
Like trying to lean a ladder against Vempali plants.
The Vempali (Wild Indigo) is a small, weak-stemmed shrub that cannot support any weight. This expression is used to describe a futile effort or an impossible task where someone tries to rely on something that lacks the necessary strength or foundation. It signifies misplaced effort or depending on an unreliable source.
ఓటి కుండలో నీళ్ళు పోసినట్టు
oti kundalo nillu posinattu
Like pouring water into a leaky pot
This expression is used to describe a situation where effort or resources are being completely wasted on something that cannot be salvaged or retained. It refers to a futile action where despite continuous input, there is no result or progress because the foundation is fundamentally flawed or broken.
ముంతెడు నీళ్లకే జడిస్తే, బానెడు నీళ్లు ఎవరు పోసుకొంటారు?
muntedu nillake jadiste, banedu nillu evaru posukontaru?
If you take fright at a cupful of water, who will bathe with a boilful?
This proverb is used to mock someone who is hesitant or fearful of a small, minor challenge. It suggests that if a person cannot handle a trivial difficulty, they will never be able to manage much larger responsibilities or hardships.
కొండకు కట్టెలు, కోనేటికి నీళ్ళు మోసినట్లు.
kondaku kattelu, konetiki nillu mosinatlu.
Like carrying firewood to a mountain and water to a pond.
This proverb is used to describe a redundant or futile action. It refers to providing something to a place that already has it in abundance, similar to the English expression 'carrying coals to Newcastle'. It highlights the pointlessness of doing something unnecessary.
కొండ కట్టెలు, కోనేటి నీళ్ళు మోసినట్టు
konda kattelu, koneti nillu mosinattu
Like carrying wood from a hill and water from a temple pond.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task that is redundant, unnecessary, or involves carrying something to a place where it is already abundant. It highlights the futility or lack of common sense in doing work that provides no additional value or brings resources to their own source.
నీళ్లు ఎవరు పోసినా అవి పల్లంలోకి పోతాయి
nillu evaru posina avi pallamloki potayi
No matter who pours the water, it always flows towards the slope.
This proverb is used to describe natural tendencies or inevitable outcomes that remain constant regardless of the person involved. It implies that certain consequences are governed by the inherent nature of things (like gravity or human nature) rather than by the individual who initiates the action.
కుంచంలో కదుళ్ళు పోసినట్లు.
kunchamlo kadullu posinatlu.
Like pouring spindles into a grain measure (kuncham).
This expression is used to describe a situation where people or objects are constantly moving and never settling down in one place. Just as spindles (kadullu) are pointed and thin, they keep shifting and rolling when placed in a container, making it impossible to keep them steady or organized. It is often used to refer to hyperactive children or a restless group of people.
మొదలు విడిచి కొనలకు నీరు పోసినట్లు
modalu vidichi konalaku niru posinatlu
Like neglecting the roots and watering the tips of the branches.
This proverb describes a situation where someone ignores the fundamental or core part of a problem and focuses on superficial or trivial aspects instead. It is used to criticize actions that are counterproductive or lack a proper sense of priority, emphasizing that without addressing the root cause, efforts spent on the results are wasted.
తొక్కలేనమ్మ తొక్కులో నీళ్లు పోసిందట
tokkalenamma tokkulo nillu posindata
The woman who couldn't peel (the mangoes) poured water into the pickle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic skills or competence, but attempts to 'help' or perform a task only to ruin it completely. It highlights how an incompetent person's intervention often makes a situation worse.