అబ్బ బావి తవ్విస్తే, అబ్బాయి పూడ్చించాడట

abba bavi tavviste, abbayi pudchinchadata

Translation

While the father got a well dug, the son got it filled up.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a son ruins the hard work or reputation built by his father. It highlights the contrast between a constructive predecessor and a destructive successor, or a situation where progress is immediately undone by the next generation's foolishness or malice.

Related Phrases

When a six-year-old boy finally said 'Mother', his mother was supposedly amazed.

This expression is used to mock someone who takes an excessively long time to do something basic or obvious, and then expects praise or wonder for it. It highlights that the achievement is actually delayed and overdue rather than being a cause for genuine surprise.

My blow made even Golconda cry 'Abba' (Ouch)

This expression is used to describe someone who is overly boastful or exaggerates their own strength and achievements. It depicts a person claiming that their single strike or action was so powerful that it resonated through the entire Golconda fort, making it cry out in pain.

Like ordering the well to be filled up when the rope was found too short.

This proverb describes an absurd or foolish solution where someone tries to change the core requirement or destroy the resource instead of making a small adjustment. It is used when someone suggests an impractical, destructive, or extreme 'fix' for a minor problem, rather than finding the right tool or putting in the necessary effort.

When a boy was finally born after a long wait, she washed his bottom with castor oil!

This proverb is used to mock people who show excessive, unnecessary, or extravagant care over something they have newly acquired or achieved after a long time. It highlights over-enthusiasm or over-pampering that borders on the ridiculous.

When a boy was born by the virtue of a dancer, the anklets were found by the virtue of a silver-smith.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's hard work or merit results in a success, but another person tries to take the credit for the associated benefits or accessories. It highlights the irony of misplaced gratitude or credit-seeking.

The father allegedly died because he couldn't carry the leaf plate, even though he was crying for the birth of a son.

This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be happy about a significant gain or success but complains or fails at the small responsibilities that come with it. It mocks those who are lazy or make excuses to avoid work even during celebratory occasions.

Like digging a well while the house is on fire

This proverb describes the foolishness of starting preparations or seeking a solution only when a disaster has already struck. It highlights a lack of foresight and the futility of reactive measures that are too late to be effective.

If I invite him and he is too proud to come, it will be all right; but if he does come, how shall I manage it? Said by a poor man who was obliged to show hospitality which he could ill afford.

This expression is used to describe a person who is hesitant or reluctant to start something (often due to pride or shyness), but once they begin or arrive at a place (especially for a meal or a favor), they indulge uncontrollably and are impossible to stop. It highlights the irony of someone being difficult to invite but impossible to manage once they accept.

The boy is Pothuraju, and the girl is Ganganamma.

This expression is used to describe a couple or a pair of people who are perfectly matched in their nature, often in a humorous or slightly mocking way. Pothuraju and Ganganamma are fierce local deities; thus, the phrase implies that both individuals are equally aggressive, stubborn, or eccentric, making them a 'made for each other' pair in their own unique way.

The father had it dug, and the son had it filled.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a child squanders or destroys the hard work and wealth accumulated by their parents. It highlights the contrast between the creative efforts of one generation and the destructive or wasteful nature of the next.