ఆలు కుదురైతే చేను కుదురు

This expression describes a household where the father is restless, thin, or constantly moving like a spindle (kaduru), while the mother is steady, stout, or sedentary like a pot-rest/base-ring (kuduru). It is used to remark on the contrasting physical appearances or temperaments of a husband and wife.

This expression suggests that having a clear goal or focus in life naturally leads to discipline and good character. When one is dedicated to a specific purpose, their behavior and attributes align to achieve it.

This expression highlights that the hospitality and love with which food is served are more important than the food itself. Food served by someone who does not like you or without genuine warmth is compared to 'Pindam' (food offered to the deceased), implying it is soul-less or insulting to consume.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of having a solid foundation and focus in both work (represented by the field/farming) and leisure or external activities (represented by play). It suggests that to be successful, one must ensure their livelihood is secure and their actions are disciplined and steady.

This expression describes a situation where someone unintentionally invites trouble or pays for their own downfall. It refers to a person hiring or helping someone, only to have that person harm them or destroy their stability. It is similar to the English phrase 'digging one's own grave' or 'inviting trouble with open arms'.

This expression is used to describe an experience or activity that is dull, uninteresting, or lacks any satisfaction. Just as eating tasteless food provides no pleasure despite fulfilling a necessity, it refers to performing a task or attending an event that is completely bland and monotonous.

This expression is used to suggest that some things are fundamentally flawed or permanently out of shape and cannot be used for a purpose that requires perfection. It is often applied to people's character or deep-seated habits, implying that a person's basic nature or a significant defect cannot be easily changed or rectified to suit a specific need.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of stability in one's primary sources of livelihood and domestic life. Just as a crop needs a strong root (chey-kuduru) to yield a harvest, a household needs a stable and capable partner (ali-kuduru) to prosper. It is used to describe the foundation required for a successful and settled life.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. It suggests that a person is so greedy or manipulative (traditionally associated with the stereotype of goldsmiths skimming off gold) that their food or wealth is considered cursed or tainted, to the point that even scavengers like crows would avoid it.

This is a common superstition in Telugu culture suggesting that encountering a hare (long-eared rabbit) while starting a task or a journey is an ill omen that leads to failure or misfortune. It is used to describe irrational fears or traditional beliefs regarding bad luck.