అబ్బ త్రవ్విస్తే అబ్బాయి పూడ్పించినాడు

abba travviste abbayi pudpinchinadu

Translation

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

Meaning

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

He falls into the pit he dug himself.

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'digging a pit for others and falling into it oneself.' It describes a situation where someone's malicious plans or schemes against others eventually backfire and cause their own downfall. It is used to highlight poetic justice or the consequences of one's own negative actions.

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.

If you have money, it doesn't matter which tin box you play.

This expression suggests that if a person is wealthy, their actions—no matter how silly, mediocre, or unconventional—will be accepted or even praised by society. It highlights how financial status can shield someone from criticism and grant them the freedom to behave as they wish.

Like digging with the elbow just because the soil is soft.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes undue advantage of a person's kindness or submissiveness. It warns against exploiting a person's gentle nature or patience to an unreasonable or harmful extent.