అర్థశేరు బియ్యం తింటావా అంటే మూడు మెతుకులు విడిచిపెడతానన్నాడట
arthasheru biyyam tintava ante mudu metukulu vidichipedatanannadata
When asked if he could eat half a seer of rice, he replied he would leave three grains behind.
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be humble or restrained but is actually extremely greedy or excessive. It mocks someone who makes a show of making a tiny sacrifice while already taking nearly everything for themselves.
Related Phrases
శేరుకు సవాశేరు
sheruku savasheru
For one seer a seer and a quarter. A greater ruffian than another. To a rogue a rogue and a half. (French.)
This expression is used to describe a situation where one person meets their match or encounters someone even more capable, clever, or aggressive than themselves. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Diamond cuts diamond' or 'To meet one's match.'
ఏడు మెతుకులు తింటే ఏనుగంత సత్తువ
edu metukulu tinte enuganta sattuva
Eating seven grains of cooked rice gives strength equal to an elephant.
This proverb is often used to emphasize the importance of eating a proper meal, even a small amount, to gain significant energy and vitality. It highlights that nutrition is the key to strength and is sometimes used to encourage children to eat or to describe the restorative power of food.
మొయిలు విడిచిన ఎండ, మొగుడు విడిచిన ముండ, పట్టి విడిచిన మండ, ఎత్తి విడిచిన కుండ.
moyilu vidichina enda, mogudu vidichina munda, patti vidichina manda, etti vidichina kunda.
Sunlight emerging from clouds, a woman left by her husband, a branch caught and released, and a pot lifted and dropped.
This proverb describes four things that are difficult to manage or have unpleasant consequences. The sunlight after a cloud cover is often very intense; a woman abandoned by her husband faces social hardship; a bent branch that is released snaps back with force; and a pot that is dropped breaks beyond repair. It is used to highlight situations that are intense, uncontrollable, or final.
ఆ ముఖానికి కేల అర్హశేరు పసుపు
a mukhaniki kela arhasheru pasupu
Why does that face need half a kilo of turmeric?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who makes excessive or unnecessary efforts to improve something that is fundamentally flawed or undeserving. It implies that a person's basic character or situation is so poor that outward adornments or expensive remedies are a waste of resources.
మొయిలు విడిచిన ఎండ, మొగుడు విడిచిన ముండ, పట్టి విడిచిన మడ, ఎత్తి విడిచిన కుండ తీక్ష్ణము.
moyilu vidichina enda, mogudu vidichina munda, patti vidichina mada, etti vidichina kunda tikshnamu.
The heat of the sun emerging from the clouds--the passion of a meretricious woman separated from her husband— the violence of a bough bent and let go—the force of a pot lifted up and dropped—are great. "Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad." Ecclesiasticus xxv. 25. A man under no restraint is a bear without a ring.
This proverb lists four things that become intense or volatile due to sudden change or release. 1. The sun feels much hotter immediately after clouds clear. 2. A woman abandoned may become sharp-tongued or fierce due to social hardship. 3. A branch that is pulled and let go snaps back with force. 4. A pot dropped from a height shatters violently. It is used to describe situations or people that have become particularly difficult or harsh due to their circumstances.
శేరుకు నవాశేరు
sheruku navasheru
For a seer, a seer and a quarter.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone meets their match or encounters someone even more capable, cunning, or stronger than themselves. It implies that for every expert, there is always someone better.
పట్టి విడిచిన మండ, మబ్బు విడిచిన ఎండ, మొగుడు విడిచిన ముండ.
patti vidichina manda, mabbu vidichina enda, mogudu vidichina munda.
A palm leaf strip that is bent and released, sunshine emerging after a cloud has passed, and a woman separated from her husband.
This proverb highlights three things that are considered uncontrollable, fierce, or difficult to deal with. Just as a bent palm strip snaps back with force and sunshine is particularly scorching after a cloud passes, the expression suggests that a woman who has gained independence from her husband (in the context of traditional social structures) can be formidable or unrestrained. It is used to describe situations or people that have suddenly become intense or hard to manage after being released from a constraint.
పట్టి విడిచిన ముండ, మబ్బు విడిచిన ఎండ
patti vidichina munda, mabbu vidichina enda
A woman who has been abandoned and the sun that has emerged from the clouds.
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is extremely intense, harsh, or unbearable. Just as the sun feels much hotter and more piercing immediately after coming out from behind a cloud, the anger or behavior of a person who has faced rejection or abandonment is perceived to be particularly sharp and difficult to endure.
బిడ్డయినా పడ్డ అయినా పుట్టాక విడిచి పెడతామా?
biddayina padda ayina puttaka vidichi pedatama?
Whether it is a child or a calf, do we abandon them once they are born?
This expression is used to emphasize that once a project is started, a responsibility is taken, or a commitment is made, one must see it through regardless of the quality or the difficulties involved. It suggests that once something belongs to you or is your creation, you cannot simply discard it.
ఆడపలు వేసినవి అత్తా అంటే, అట్లకు బియ్యం నానబొయ్యి కోడలా అన్నదట.
adapalu vesinavi atta ante, atlaku biyyam nanaboyyi kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said the clouds had gathered, the mother-in-law told her to soak rice for crepes.
This proverb describes a situation where someone misinterprets a sign of trouble or a warning as a reason for celebration or greed. When the daughter-in-law warns of dark clouds (incoming rain/storm), the mother-in-law, thinking only of tasty food, asks to prepare for snacks. It is used to mock people who lack foresight or who are disconnected from reality due to their desires.