it probably refers to that you start with a small problem but end up with a huge one
to be honest, I've never heard this one before...

I can only find one reference to this proverb. It is not a widely used Russian proverb. It translates as "you fall into a small pit, but you climb out of a large one" which most likely means that even if you make a small mistake you will have to work a lot to fix it.

I've never heard this saying too, Oleg!
This is Russian language immensity on specific example!

"упадешь в ложбинку, а выбираешься из ямы" verbatim can be translated something like “you can fall into a small hollow, but climb out of a large deep pit”.
Thus, it has sense as I've written above using English proverbs about getting into trouble.
P.S. «говаривала» = «периодически (иногда/обычно) говорила» на русском языке более старого стиля, i.e. = “periodically (sometimes / usually) said” in Russian language of more old style, 19 century and earlier.
So, Xiaoqing He, you have no need to learn such Russian words now. They are practically out of use in real conversation nowadays.

Don't torture yourself by translating Russian classic literature. It is very hard task even for high qualified interpreters, who have spent most of their lives studying Russian.

Thanks guys! I got the gist! )) makes sense

Author tales by Nikolai Nosov with wonderfull illustrations http://taberko.livejournal.com/228588.html. Just look at this miracle!

They are interesting, funny and not hard for understanding. The reading of these stories is excellent training for Russian language skills.

☺☺☺

Hey thanks a lot for Sharing Maks

You are welcome