ఆకు నీదే, పొగాకు నీదే పటేలా ఇంగలం పెట్టుకో
aku nide, pogaku nide patela ingalam pettuko
The leaf is yours, the tobacco is yours, Patel! Now put the coal in it yourself.
This expression describes a situation where one person provides all the materials or resources for a task, but the other person (often someone in power or an entitled person) still expects the provider to do all the work or serve them. It is used to mock someone's extreme laziness or their habit of taking others for granted.
Related Phrases
తాగిన వానిదే పాట, సాగిన వానిదే ఆట.
tagina vanide pata, sagina vanide ata.
The song belongs to the one who is drunk, and the game belongs to the one who is successful.
This proverb describes how authority or influence works in certain situations. It suggests that a person who is intoxicated will sing whatever they like regardless of skill, and similarly, the world follows and applauds the person who is currently successful or in power. It is used to highlight that rules often bend for those who are currently influential or dominating a situation.
ఇరుగు ఇంగలం పొరుగు మంగలం
irugu ingalam porugu mangalam
The neighbors are fire and the surroundings are soot (or bad omens).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is surrounded by difficult or troublesome neighbors on all sides. It implies that no matter which way you turn, there is conflict or negativity, making it impossible to live in peace.
సెగలేనిదే పొగరాదు.
segalenide pogaradu.
There is no smoke without heat.
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'There is no smoke without fire.' It is used to suggest that if there are rumors or signs of something happening, there is usually a factual basis or a real reason behind them.
కులం కట్టు కలం పట్టు
kulam kattu kalam pattu
Bind the community, hold the pen
This expression emphasizes the importance of education and social unity within a community. It suggests that for a community to progress, people must remain united (community bond) and focus on education and literacy (holding the pen) as tools for empowerment.
పదిమంది కలిస్తేనే పాటు
padimandi kalistene patu
Work happens only when ten people join together
This expression emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collective effort. It suggests that significant tasks or social responsibilities cannot be accomplished by an individual alone and require the cooperation of the community or a group.
తన నీడే తన పిశాచము
tana nide tana pishachamu
His shadow is his devil. Afraid of his own shadow.
This expression describes a state of extreme guilt, paranoia, or fear where a person is haunted by their own actions. It suggests that when someone has a guilty conscience or is deeply afraid, even their own shadow appears like a threatening spirit, meaning they cannot escape their own mind.
నిప్పు లేనిదె పొగరాదు
nippu lenide pogaradu
No smoke without fire.
Unless there is some basis, there can be no suspicion, or gossip. One should take care to see that there isn’t even a slight lapse that gives rise to avoidable scandal .
మీ ఇంట ఇంగలం మా ఇంట మంగలం అన్నాడట.
mi inta ingalam ma inta mangalam annadata.
He said, 'There is fire in your house, and there is a burning pan in mine.'
This proverb describes a situation involving a highly selfish or hypocritical person. It refers to someone who wants to borrow something from others (represented by 'ingalam' or fire/embers) even when they already possess it themselves, or someone who expects others to share their resources while keeping their own for themselves. It is used to mock people who pretend to be in need just to exploit others.
తేనెగూర్చి యీగ తెరువరులకు నీదె
tenegurchi yiga teruvarulaku nide
The bee collects honey only to give it away to travelers.
This expression is used to describe a miser who hoards wealth but never enjoys it himself or shares it with his family, only for it to eventually be taken or enjoyed by complete strangers. It highlights the futility of greed without generosity.
ఏరు నిద్ర పోయినట్టు
eru nidra poyinattu
As the river sleeps. Smooth waters run deep. There is no worse water than that which sleeps. ( French. )
This expression is used to describe a person who appears very calm, innocent, or silent on the surface but possesses great depth, hidden strength, or potential danger. Just as a river looks still while having a powerful current underneath, it refers to someone whose true intentions or capabilities are not immediately visible.