అమ్మా పెట్టేవి నాలుగూ పెందలాడే పెట్టవే, దూడ గడ్డికిపోవాల అన్నాడట.
amma pettevi nalugu pendalade pettave, duda gaddikipovala annadata.
Mother, whatever four morsels you give, give them early; the calf needs to go for grazing.
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to sound helpful or dutiful while actually being impatient or demanding for their own needs. It highlights a person making excuses or using a seemingly valid reason (like the calf needing to graze) just to get what they want faster.
Related Phrases
తినడానికి తిండి లేకపోయినా, పెళ్ళికి వెళ్ళాలి
tinadaniki tindi lekapoyina, pelliki vellali
Even if there is no food to eat, one must go to a wedding.
This proverb is used to describe people who prioritize social appearances, celebrations, or free feasts even when they are struggling with basic necessities at home. It can also imply that certain social obligations are so important that people will attend them regardless of their personal financial situation.
అల్లుడికి పెట్టిన పెట్టు కొడుకు పెట్టి కోలుపోయిందట
alludiki pettina pettu koduku petti kolupoyindata
Investing in the son-in-law led to the loss of the investment intended for the son.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes an outsider or a distant relative over their own family, only to end up losing everything. It highlights the folly of misplaced priorities and the resulting regret when a primary responsibility is neglected for a secondary one.
అమ్మ పెట్టేవి నాలుగూ అప్పుడే పెట్టితే చెయ్యనా?
amma pettevi nalugu appude pettite cheyyana?
If you had beaten me as my mother used to do, would I not have done [the work]? Said by a daughter-in-law to her mother-in-law. Applied to a person with whom mild measures are of no avail, with whom There is no argument like that of the stick. (Spanish.)
This expression is used when someone offers advice or discipline only after a mistake has been made or when it is too late. It implies that if the guidance or 'tough love' had been provided earlier, the error could have been avoided. It is often used to point out that timely correction is more valuable than hindsight criticism.
* Por do quiera hay su legua de mal camino. † No hay tal razon como la del baston.
పెట్టనమ్మ పెట్టదు గానీ, పెట్టే అమ్మను పెట్టనివ్వదు.
pettanamma pettadu gani, pette ammanu pettanivvadu.
A woman who does not give [ alms ] will never give ; what evil has happened to the jade who does give ?
This proverb describes a person who neither does a good deed themselves nor allows others to do it. It is used to criticize dog-in-the-manger behavior where someone obstructs progress or charity despite having no intention of contributing themselves.
Said by a beggar of one from whom he generally received alms.
తిండికి ముందుండాలి, పనికి వెనక ఉండాలి
tindiki mundundali, paniki venaka undali
Be first for food and last for work.
This humorous proverb describes a person who is lazy and opportunistic. It is used to mock someone who shows great enthusiasm for benefits (like eating) but avoids responsibility or hard labor.
ఆయన అన్ని దేవళాలమీద రెట్టవేసిన పిట్టే.
ayana anni devalalamida rettavesina pitte.
He is a bird that has pooped on every temple.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely experienced, cunning, or has 'been there and done that' in every possible situation, often in a slightly cynical or negative sense. It implies the person has dealt with everyone and every place, leaving their mark (or causing trouble) everywhere.
ఊరికే పెట్టే అమ్మను నీ మొగుడితో పెట్టమన్నట్లు.
urike pette ammanu ni mogudito pettamannatlu.
Like asking a mother who serves food for free to serve it along with your husband.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is already receiving a generous favor or benefit for free, but they greedily or foolishly ask for even more, potentially offending the benefactor or pushing their luck too far. It highlights the lack of gratitude and the tendency to take kindness for granted.
అడుగు పెట్టగానే పిడుగు పడ్డట్లు.
adugu pettagane pidugu paddatlu.
Like a thunderbolt falling the moment one steps in.
This expression is used to describe an unfortunate coincidence where a disaster or a piece of very bad news occurs immediately after someone's arrival. It is often used to imply that a person's entry brought bad luck or that they arrived at an extremely ill-fated moment.
దూల పెట్టేచోట దుడ్డుకోల పెట్టినట్లు
dula pettechota duddukola pettinatlu
Like placing a heavy wooden staff where it itches.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone receives a punishment or a harsh consequence that they practically invited upon themselves through their mischievous or annoying behavior. It implies that a person's 'itch' for trouble was cured by a 'heavy blow' of reality or discipline.
అమ్మ పెట్టేవి నాలుగు పెడితేగాని, అరికలచేట బయట పెట్టదు.
amma pettevi nalugu peditegani, arikalacheta bayata pettadu.
Until mother gives four (hits), the small winnowing basket won't be brought out.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely stubborn or lazy. It refers to a person who will not perform a necessary task or change their behavior until they are scolded, punished, or forced by authority. It is used in contexts where discipline is the only way to get a result.