ఉండి ఉండి వసంతమాడాలనుకుంటే అవ్వ ఎదురొచ్చింది
undi undi vasantamadalanukunte avva edurochchindi
When one finally decided to play with spring colors, an old woman came in front.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone finally decides to celebrate or do something joyful after a long wait, but is immediately met with an unexpected obstacle or an inappropriate person that spoils the mood or makes the action impossible. It highlights poor timing and bad luck.
Related Phrases
పూచింది పొడమంత, కాచింది గంపంత
puchindi podamanta, kachindi gampanta
Flowered as much as a small patch, but yielded a basketful.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small effort or a modest beginning leads to a surprisingly large or abundant result. It is often used to praise high productivity or unexpected success from minimal resources.
అవ్వను పట్టుకొని వసంతాలాడినట్టు
avvanu pattukoni vasantaladinattu
Like playing games with your grand-mother. Lit. "Throwing scarlet water over her," a sport among young people as marriages, &c.
This expression is used to describe an inappropriate or disrespectful act where someone behaves in a frivolous or playful manner with a person who deserves respect and dignity due to their age or stature. It highlights actions that are out of place or cross the boundaries of social etiquette.
Disrespectful and unseemly conduct towards elderly people.
ముందు చచ్చింది ముత్తైదువ, వెనుక వచ్చింది విధవ
mundu chachchindi muttaiduva, venuka vachchindi vidhava
The one who died first is a sumangali (auspicious woman), the one who followed is a widow.
This proverb is used to comment on irony or hypocritical situations where people judge others based on timing or status, even when they share a similar fate. It highlights that the first person to experience a situation or commit an act often gains a higher status or 'moral ground' compared to the second person who does the exact same thing.
చింతచెట్టుకు చిగురొచ్చింది, చిన్నదానికి పొగరొచ్చింది
chintachettuku chigurochchindi, chinnadaniki pogarochchindi
The tamarind tree has sprouted new leaves, and the young girl has grown proud.
This is a rhythmic folk saying or song lyric often used playfully. It draws a metaphorical parallel between the natural growth of a tree (springing new life) and a young person reaching a certain age or status where they exhibit attitude, pride, or self-confidence.
ఇచ్చింది పోయింది అసలు రాదు.
ichchindi poyindi asalu radu.
What was given is gone, and the principal will never return.
This expression is used to describe a situation where money or resources lent or invested are completely lost. It signifies a total loss where neither the profit/interest nor the original capital is recoverable. It is often used as a cautionary remark about bad debts or risky ventures.
వసంతం వచ్చింది కోకిల కూసింది.
vasantam vachchindi kokila kusindi.
Spring has arrived, and the cuckoo has sung.
This expression is used to describe a natural or harmonious sequence of events where everything happens as it should at the right time. It signifies the onset of a beautiful season or a positive change, often used metaphorically to indicate that good times or expected outcomes have finally manifested.
వండుతూ ఉండగా వాంతి వస్తున్నది అంటే, ఉండి భోజనం చేసి పొమ్మన్నదట
vandutu undaga vanti vastunnadi ante, undi bhojanam chesi pommannadata
When he said "[The sight of] your cooking makes me sick," she replied "Please stay and eat your dinner before you go."
This proverb is used to describe a sarcastic or ironic situation where a person's excuse to avoid a task or a place is met with an even more inconvenient or absurd demand. It highlights the lack of empathy or total misunderstanding of someone's discomfort, or a situation where someone is forced to endure exactly what they are trying to escape from.
రోగమంటే వచ్చిందిగాని, పాలు ఎక్కడి నుండి వస్తవి?
rogamante vachchindigani, palu ekkadi nundi vastavi?
The disease has come alright, but where will the milk come from?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone demands the benefits or comforts associated with a condition (like the special diet/milk given to a sick person) without having the means to provide them, or more generally, when one accepts a problem but is unwilling or unable to handle the required resources/consequences.
ఆడబోయిన తీర్థం ఎదురొచ్చినట్లు
adaboyina tirtham edurochchinatlu
The holy water one intended to visit has come forward to meet them.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where something you were planning to put effort into achieving or seeking out happens unexpectedly or easily on its own. It signifies a stroke of luck or a favorable coincidence where the goal finds the seeker.
అవ్వని పట్టుకొని, వసంతమాడినట్టు
avvani pattukoni, vasantamadinattu
Like playing spring festivals (Holi) with an old grandmother.
This expression is used to describe an inappropriate or disrespectful act where someone mocks or plays a prank on a vulnerable, elderly, or serious person who is not an appropriate peer for such behavior. It signifies doing something at the wrong time, in the wrong place, or with the wrong person.