వేలికి వేస్తే మెలిక, కాలికి వేస్తే బంధం

veliki veste melika, kaliki veste bandham

Translation

If put on the finger it's a twist, if put on the leg it's a shackle.

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

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.

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.

If you tie all three together, there is nothing left.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to balance or manage three different things simultaneously, but ends up failing at all of them or finding that they are incompatible. It highlights how over-complicating matters or being indecisive often leads to a zero result or total loss.

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.

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.

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.

If you sow wheat, will almonds grow?

This expression means that the results of an action are directly determined by the effort or seed put in. It is used to point out that one cannot expect a high-quality or different outcome when they have invested in something of lesser value or performed a different action altogether. Similar to the English proverb 'As you sow, so shall you reap'.

Put green grass [ between two rivals ], and it will blaze up.

This expression is used to describe an extreme state of animosity or intense rivalry between two people. Since green grass is naturally damp and shouldn't burn easily, the metaphor suggests that the hatred is so volatile and fiery that even non-flammable things would ignite immediately upon contact. It describes a situation where two parties are ready to fight at the slightest provocation.

If it rains from the west, even ruined pits will fill up; if it rains from the east, even the water-grass roots will dry up.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to monsoon patterns in the Telugu regions. It suggests that rainfall coming from the west (Southwest monsoon) is abundant and reliable enough to fill every dry pond, whereas rain clouds from the east (Northeast monsoon) are often insufficient or inconsistent, leading to drought-like conditions where even moisture-loving plants like 'tunga' grass wither away.

If you assume the disguise of a dog, you must bark. In for a penny, in for a pound.

This proverb suggests that if you take on a certain role or persona, you are bound to act according to the nature of that role. It is often used to describe situations where a person's behavior is dictated by their current circumstances or the identity they have adopted, implying that one must fully commit to the characteristics of the part they are playing.