వెన్ను వేస్తే వైరుకర్ర పొన్నువేస్తే చేతికర్ర
vennu veste vairukarra ponnuveste chetikarra
If it grows a grain-ear it is a straw-stalk, if it is fitted with a ferrule it is a walking-stick.
This proverb highlights the versatility and utility of an object based on how it is developed or used. In a broader sense, it refers to how a person's potential or a situation's outcome depends on the direction it takes or the finishing touches provided.
Related Phrases
కురిస్తే వానై కురవాలి, వేస్తే పైరు వేయాలి
kuriste vanai kuravali, veste pairu veyali
If it rains, it should be a downpour; if you plant, it should be a crop.
This proverb emphasizes commitment and scale. It suggests that if you decide to do something, you should do it fully and effectively rather than doing a half-hearted job. It is used to encourage someone to go all out or to describe a situation where something happened in an impactful way.
కాదంటే కర్రా బుర్రా నాకు పారేయండి
kadante karra burra naku pareyandi
If you don't want it, throw the stick and the shell to me.
This expression is used to describe someone who is greedy or eager to collect even the most useless leftovers of others. It characterizes a person who is ready to take anything, regardless of its value, as long as it is free or being discarded by someone else.
ఇటు వేస్తే హనుమంతుడు, అటు వేస్తే వీరభద్రుడు
itu veste hanumantudu, atu veste virabhadrudu
If thrown this way, it is Hanuman; if thrown that way, it is Veerabhadra.
This expression refers to a 'no-win' or 'catch-22' situation where every possible outcome or decision leads to a difficult or aggressive confrontation. It is used when a person is caught between two equally formidable or stubborn options, or when no matter what one does, someone will get angry.
కాలికి వేస్తే వేలికి, వేలికి వేస్తే కాలికి
kaliki veste veliki, veliki veste kaliki
If tied to the leg, it moves to the finger; if tied to the finger, it moves to the leg.
This expression describes a person who is extremely manipulative, slippery, or cunning. It is used for someone who always has a counter-argument or a way to twist words to escape accountability, making it impossible to pin them down to a single point.
వేలికి వేస్తే మెలిక, కాలికి వేస్తే బంధం
veliki veste melika, kaliki veste bandham
If put on the finger it's a twist, if put on the leg it's a shackle.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or versatile in making excuses. It refers to a person who can adapt their behavior or arguments to any situation just to get their way—if you try to catch them one way, they twist out of it; if you try another, they bind you instead.
జీలకర్రలో కర్రలేదు, నేతి బీరలో నెయ్యిలేదు.
jilakarralo karraledu, neti biralo neyyiledu.
There is no stick in cumin, there is no ghee in silk squash.
This proverb is used to describe something that is purely nominal or deceptive. It refers to situations where a name or title implies the presence of something valuable or specific, but the actual object lacks that quality entirely. It is often used to comment on people who have grand titles but no actual power or substance.
కాలికి వేస్తే మెడకు, మెడకు వేస్తే కాలికి
kaliki veste medaku, medaku veste kaliki
He removes the rope from the leg to the neck, and from the neck to the leg. Attempting to entrap a person by unfair questions.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely cunning, slippery, or argumentative. It refers to someone who can twist any situation or argument to their advantage, making it impossible to pin them down or hold them accountable. It depicts a 'shifty' character who always finds a loophole or a way to deflect blame.
వేలంవేస్తే అధికారి దండోరావేస్తే ఊరికాపరి
velamveste adhikari dandoraveste urikapari
If there's an auction, it's the officer; if there's an announcement, it's the village watchman.
This proverb describes a situation where high-ranking officials take credit for significant or profitable tasks, while low-level workers are left to do the actual labor or the noisy, tedious work. It is used to highlight hierarchies and the division of credit versus effort.
వేలుకు వేస్తే కాలికి, కాలికి వేస్తే వేలికి.
veluku veste kaliki, kaliki veste veliki.
If put on the finger it goes to the toe, and if put on the toe it goes to the finger.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely manipulative, inconsistent, or shifty in their speech. It refers to someone who changes their story or logic constantly to suit their convenience, making it impossible to pin them down to a single fact or commitment.
కర్ర ఎవడిదో బర్రె వాడిది
karra evadido barre vadidi
The buffalo belongs to the one who holds the stick
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Might is Right.' It implies that the person who possesses power, authority, or the means of enforcement (the stick) ultimately controls the resources (the buffalo). It is used to describe situations where strength or influence dictates ownership and outcomes, often regardless of fairness or legality.