వేలు వంకర పెడితేనేగాని, వెన్న రాదు.

velu vankara peditenegani, venna radu.

Translation

Butter won't come out unless the finger is curved.

Meaning

This proverb is used to say that some tasks cannot be achieved through straightforward or gentle means; one must use a bit of cunning, force, or a change in tactics to get the job done. It is similar to the English expression 'Sometimes you have to play dirty to get what you want'.

Related Phrases

Should not hear, should not see, should not say.

This expression is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Three Wise Monkeys' principle (See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil). It serves as a moral guideline advising people to avoid listening to gossip or negativity, refrain from witnessing bad deeds, and avoid speaking ill of others or using harsh language.

Only when one dies, does the truth of the funeral song come out.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the true nature, secrets, or total accomplishments of a person or a situation are only fully revealed or understood at the very end or after it is finished. It implies that certain truths remain hidden until the final conclusion.

A man is no Doctor until he has killed one or two [patients.]

This proverb is used to highlight that expertise comes from experience, often involving costly mistakes or failures along the way. In a more cynical sense, it suggests that beginners in any profession may inadvertently cause harm while they are still learning their craft.

Said to a bungling tyro. If the doctor cures, the sun sees it ; if he kills, the earth hides it.

Without bending the finger, even butter cannot be got. Without obsequiousness, nothing is to be had.

This proverb emphasizes that nothing can be achieved without effort. Just as one must crook their finger to scoop butter out of a pot, one must work hard and be resourceful to gain results. It is used to motivate someone who is being lazy or expecting rewards without labor.

The acidity (biliousness) won't leave unless one is subjected to fasting

This expression suggests that certain stubborn problems or bad behaviors cannot be corrected through gentle means; they require strict discipline, harsh measures, or a period of deprivation to be resolved. Just as fasting is a traditional remedy for digestive issues, some situations require a 'tough love' approach.

It won't be settled unless I give four (slaps).

This expression is used when someone is being stubborn, mischievous, or uncooperative. It implies that the person will only behave or understand the situation if they are physically disciplined or sternly reprimanded. In a broader sense, it means some problems require a 'tough' approach rather than gentle persuasion.

If you put a finger in his mouth, he doesn't even know how to bite it.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely innocent, naive, or harmless. It implies that the person is so simple-minded or gentle that they wouldn't react even if provoked or presented with an obvious opportunity to act.

Unless the Boṭṭu be tied, she cannot become a widow. Fortune must come before misfortune.

This expression is used to signify that certain consequences or outcomes cannot occur unless a specific preliminary action or event takes place first. It emphasizes the logical order of events, often used in a cynical or blunt manner to point out that a process must be initiated before its end result (even a negative one) can be realized.

The madness won't be cured until the marriage happens, and the marriage won't happen until the madness is cured.

This expression describes a classic 'Catch-22' or a circular deadlock situation where two necessary conditions are dependent on each other, making it impossible to resolve either. It is often used to describe bureaucratic hurdles or complex problems where one cannot start without the other, yet neither can move forward.

Until mother gives four (hits), the small winnowing basket won't be brought out.

This proverb describes someone who is extremely stubborn or lazy. It refers to a person who will not perform a necessary task or change their behavior until they are scolded, punished, or forced by authority. It is used in contexts where discipline is the only way to get a result.