అప్పను చూడబోతే టెప్పలు పోయినవి.
appanu chudabote teppalu poyinavi.
When I went to see my sister, the floats were lost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one incurs a significant loss while attempting to gain something small or perform a simple duty. It highlights how someone might lose their basic necessities or resources while pursuing an unnecessary or minor errand.
Related Phrases
మెత్తనాళ్ళు పోయినవి, చెత్తనాళ్ళు వచ్చినవి.
mettanallu poyinavi, chettanallu vachchinavi.
The soft/gentle days are gone, and the trashy/difficult days have arrived.
This expression is used to describe a transition from a period of prosperity, comfort, and easy living to a period of hardship, low quality, or unfavorable conditions. It highlights a decline in the standard or quality of life or circumstances.
పేరు గొప్ప, ఊరు దిబ్బ
peru goppa, uru dibba
The name is great, but the village is a mound.
Used to describe a situation where someone or something has a grand reputation or a fancy name, but the actual reality is disappointing, poor, or hollow. It is similar to the English expression 'All that glitters is not gold' or 'Big name, no substance'.
చూడబోతే వెండిగిన్నె తాగబోతే వెలితిగిన్నె
chudabote vendiginne tagabote velitiginne
If you look at it, it's a silver bowl; if you try to drink from it, it's an empty bowl.
This expression describes something that looks grand, expensive, or promising on the outside but is actually empty, useless, or disappointing upon closer inspection or when put to use. It is used to mock pretentiousness or things that lack substance despite their attractive appearance.
చుట్టం కదా అని చూడబోతే దయ్యమై పట్టుకుందట
chuttam kada ani chudabote dayyamai pattukundata
When visited thinking they were a relative, they caught hold like a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where you approach someone out of kindness, goodwill, or a sense of relationship, but they end up becoming a source of trouble, harassment, or a burden. It signifies that a person you expected help or comfort from turned out to be toxic or problematic.
బావ అని చూడబోతే రావా అని కొంగు పట్టుకున్నాడట.
bava ani chudabote rava ani kongu pattukunnadata.
When she looked at him as a brother-in-law, he grabbed her saree hem saying 'wont you come?'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone mistakes another person's kindness or respect for weakness and tries to take undue advantage of them. It highlights the behavior of people who respond to decency with disrespect or inappropriate advances.
పాలను చూడనా భాండాన్ని చూడనా
palanu chudana bhandanni chudana
Should I look at the milk or the vessel?
This expression is used to describe a dilemma where one must choose between the quality of the content and the appearance of the container. It is often applied to situations where someone is stuck between focusing on the value of a person or object versus their external flaws or surroundings.
ఆడబోతే చూడబుద్ది, చూడబోతే ఆడబుద్ది
adabote chudabuddi, chudabote adabuddi
When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.
This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.
గతుకులకు పోతే, బతుకులు పోయినవి
gatukulaku pote, batukulu poyinavi
When he went to lap, his livelihood went. When a greedy man went to spoon upon another for his breakfast he was kept waiting so long that he lost his situation.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone, out of greed or a desire for small, insignificant gains (scraps/leftovers), ends up losing something very valuable or even their entire livelihood. It serves as a warning against being penny-wise and pound-foolish, or taking unnecessary risks for minor rewards.
పాలు చూడనా, భాండాన్ని చూడనా?
palu chudana, bhandanni chudana?
Are we to look at milk or at the pot? The pot is only valued for the milk in it. The jewel is not to be valued for the cabinet.
This expression is used when someone is in a dilemma or a state of confusion between two tasks or priorities, implying that they cannot focus on one thing without worrying about the other. It describes a situation where a person is overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities.
చూడబోతే చుట్టాలు, రమ్మంటే కోపాలు
chudabote chuttalu, rammante kopalu
If you visit them they are relatives, if you invite them to visit you they are angry.
This proverb describes people who claim to be close relatives or friends but avoid any real interaction, responsibility, or visit. It is used to mock hypocritical relationships where people maintain a facade of closeness but become annoyed when actually asked to participate or visit.
* Kleine Feinde und kleine Wunden sind nicht zu verachten. 21 ( 161 )