అమ్మగా మిగిలిన మేక

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an innocent associate or a bystander suffers the same harsh punishment or hardship as the main culprit. Just as charcoal is burnt and exhausted while heating iron in a forge, an innocent person often gets caught up and destroyed in the process of dealing with a problematic person or situation.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is overly optimistic about a future benefit while ignoring an immediate, life-threatening, or critical crisis. It originates from a story where a woman, seeing her husband on his deathbed, calculates that if he happens to survive, he will be strong enough to be a lover, instead of worrying about his survival first.

This proverb is used to emphasize that children usually inherit the traits, courage, or characteristics of their parents. It is often said when someone expects a person born to a strong or talented family to display the same greatness, suggesting that 'greatness begets greatness' or that one's lineage determines their nature.

This expression is used to describe a situation where one invests significant resources, time, or effort into a task, but the end result is a total loss or failure with nothing to show for it but trouble. It refers to a failed 'Homam' (ritual) where expensive offerings were consumed without achieving the desired spiritual outcome, leaving behind only annoying smoke.

Used to describe someone who is screaming or crying uncontrollably and incessantly. It refers to the loud, agonizing bleating a goat makes when its ear is notched or cut, typically for identification purposes.

This expression describes an impossible or paradoxical situation where someone tries to achieve a large result with insufficient resources, or attempts to fit a whole into a tiny part. It is often used to criticize someone who is being extremely stingy or unrealistic about budgets and expectations.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has lost almost everything, and what remains is trivial or insignificant. It highlights a state of near-total loss or failure where the little that is left is not of much value.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of completely finishing a task or treatment. Just as a small amount of leftover lime (used in betel leaves) can dry up and become useless, or a partially cured disease can relapse and become fatal, one should never leave problems or responsibilities half-done. It is used to advise someone to be thorough and ensure complete resolution of an issue.

This expression is used to describe a situation where even a small or indirect association with a great, powerful, or lucky person brings some benefit or positive influence. It emphasizes that even the slightest contact with greatness is better than nothing at all.

This proverb highlights resilience and the power of survival. Just as 'Garika' (Bermuda grass) is incredibly difficult to eradicate because it can regrow from the tiniest piece of root, this expression is used to describe a person or a situation that shows strong persistence and recovers even after facing near-total destruction or severe setbacks.