ఆ పప్పు ఈ నీళ్లకు ఉడకదు.
a pappu i nillaku udakadu.
That pulse cannot be cooked with this water. The pulse alluded to is the Cajanus Indicus commonly called Dâl (Hind.) It requires to be boiled in good sweet water to make it soft and fit for eating. A phrase similar to "That game won't pay," "That cock won't fight."
This expression is used to indicate that a certain trick, manipulation, or strategy will not work with a particular person or in a specific situation. It is often said when someone realizes another person's ulterior motives and refuses to be fooled by them.
Related Phrases
పానకంలో పుడక
panakamlo pudaka
A stick in the Panakam (sweet drink)
This expression is used to describe an unwanted or unnecessary interruption, or a person who acts as a spoilsport in an otherwise pleasant situation. Panakam is a delicious festive drink, and a small twig or stick found in it is considered an annoyance that ruins the experience.
అప్పుచేసి పప్పు కూడు తిన్నట్టు
appuchesi pappu kudu tinnattu
Like borrowing money to eat lentil rice.
This expression refers to living beyond one's means or indulging in luxuries using borrowed money. It describes a lifestyle of temporary comfort or status sustained by debt, which is ultimately unsustainable and financially irresponsible.
పానకంలో పుడకలాగా
panakamlo pudakalaga
Like a splinter in the panakam (sweet drink).
This expression is used to describe a person or a thing that acts as a nuisance or an obstacle in an otherwise pleasant or smooth situation. Just as a small piece of wood or a splinter ruins the experience of drinking a delicious sweet beverage, this refers to an unwelcome interruption.
నిప్పుకూ నీళ్లకూ ఉండే స్నేహం
nippuku nillaku unde sneham
The friendship existing between fire and water. They agree like cats and dogs.
This expression is used to describe a relationship between two people or entities that are fundamentally incompatible or are bitter enemies. Since fire and water cannot coexist without one destroying the other, it represents a state of constant conflict or an impossible alliance.
ఓడు వూడంటే, కంచం వూడన్నట్టు.
odu vudante, kancham vudannattu.
One said " Loss, loss !" the other replied " A hole in the dish." A pun on the word Ôḍu.
This proverb describes a situation where someone performs a task with excessive or destructive force, or takes a simple instruction to an absurd extreme, causing more damage than help. It is used when a person lacks common sense in fixing a minor problem.
అప్పు చేసీ పప్పు కూడు.
appu chesi pappu kudu.
Eating well (enjoying comforts) on borrowed money.
Borrowing used to be viewed as undesirable in the past. People, now under the influence of consumerism, want to live on their future income. It is still wisdom to be neither a borrower nor a lender, in the words of Shakespeare.
ఉడకకే ఉడకకే ఓ ఉల్లిగడ్డ, నీవెంత ఉడికినా నీ కంపు పోదు.
udakake udakake o ulligadda, niventa udikina ni kampu podu.
Don't boil, don't boil, O garlick! However much you boil, your smell will not go. Said to an envious person, who is said to burn inwardly.
This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or bad character. It suggests that no matter how much someone tries to change their outward appearance or refine themselves through education or status, their basic negative traits or humble/crude origins will eventually manifest. It is often used to criticize someone whose fundamental flaws remain despite external improvements.
అప్పు దొరికితే పప్పుకూడు
appu dorikite pappukudu
If I could raise a loan, [I should be able to live on ] dâl and rice. An excuse made by a host for treating his guest with poor fare.
This proverb describes a person who lives recklessly beyond their means. It refers to someone who spends borrowed money on luxuries or fine food (represented by 'pappukoodu') without worrying about how they will repay the debt later. It is used to critique poor financial planning and hedonistic behavior.
నిప్పు రగిలించి నీళ్ళకు వెతికినట్లు
nippu ragilinchi nillaku vetikinatlu
Like starting a fire and then searching for water
This proverb describes someone who creates a problem or conflict through their own actions and then acts as if they are trying to solve it or mitigate the consequences. It is used to point out the hypocrisy or lack of foresight in a person who causes trouble and then seeks a remedy for the very situation they intentionally started.
బట్టప్పు పొట్టప్పు నిలవదు
battappu pottappu nilavadu
Debts for food and clothing do not remain long unpaid.
This expression highlights that debts taken for basic survival needs like clothing (batta) and food (potta) are transient and must be cleared quickly. It is often used to emphasize that one cannot delay repaying small but essential debts or to point out that basic necessities are the first priorities that get consumed immediately, leaving no long-term asset behind.