ఆవులు చస్తూ దూడలకు మేత పెట్టిపోయినవా?
avulu chastu dudalaku meta pettipoyinava?
Did the cows provide fodder for the calves while they were dying?
This is a sarcastic rhetorical question used when someone expects resources or wealth to be provided by people who are already struggling or have nothing left to give. It highlights the impossibility of expecting a legacy or support from a source that is itself perishing or in extreme poverty.
Related Phrases
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.
తేలువలె కుట్టిపోయినాడు
teluvale kuttipoyinadu
He stung like a scorpion and left.
This expression is used to describe someone who makes a hurtful, malicious, or damaging comment (often backbiting or carrying tales) and then quickly disappears before they can be confronted or held accountable. It highlights the sharp, stinging nature of their words and their cowardly behavior.
ఆవులు ఆవులు పోట్లాడుకొని, లేగదూడలకాళ్ళు విరగగొట్టినట్లు.
avulu avulu potladukoni, legadudalakallu viragagottinatlu.
Like cows fighting with each other and breaking the legs of the calves.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a conflict between two powerful or senior parties results in collateral damage to innocent, smaller, or subordinate people. It highlights how the vulnerable often suffer the consequences of disputes they aren't even involved in.
ఆయుష్షు తీరినవాడు ఆరు నెలలకు చస్తే, అనుమానపడినవాడు అప్పుడే చస్తాడు.
ayushshu tirinavadu aru nelalaku chaste, anumanapadinavadu appude chastadu.
If the one whose lifespan is over dies in six months, the one who is suspicious dies instantly.
This proverb highlights that excessive suspicion or paranoia is more destructive than death itself. While a person destined to die will pass away in due time, a person consumed by doubt or fear suffers and 'dies' mentally every moment, losing their peace of mind immediately.
కుంచెడు గింజలకు కూలికిపోతే, తూమెడు గింజలు దూడలు తిని పోయినవట.
kunchedu ginjalaku kulikipote, tumedu ginjalu dudalu tini poyinavata.
When someone went to work as a laborer for a small measure (kunchedu) of grains, calves ate up a larger measure (thumedu) of grains at home.
This proverb describes a situation where a person suffers a large loss while chasing a very small gain. It is used to mock poor planning or misplaced priorities where the effort to earn something tiny results in neglecting and losing something much more valuable.
ఆవులూ ఆవులూ పోట్లాడుకుంటే లేగదూడల కాళ్లు విరిగినట్టు
avulu avulu potladukunte legadudala kallu viriginattu
When cows fight with each other, it is the calves' legs that get broken.
This proverb describes a situation where the conflict between two powerful or senior parties results in the suffering of innocent or subordinate individuals who are caught in the middle. It is used to highlight how collateral damage often affects the most vulnerable.
పాలు పిండని పశువు మేతకు పెద్ద
palu pindani pashuvu metaku pedda
The cow that gives no milk is the first one to eat the fodder.
This proverb describes a person who is lazy or unproductive when it comes to work, yet is the most demanding and ahead of everyone else when it comes to benefits, food, or rewards. It is used to criticize someone who contributes nothing but consumes a lot.
చుట్టాలకు పెట్టినిల్లు చుట్టపోయింది, వేల్పులకు పెట్టినిల్లు విచ్చిపోయింది
chuttalaku pettinillu chuttapoyindi, velpulaku pettinillu vichchipoyindi
The birth-house for relatives is rolled up, and the birth-house for gods is scattered.
This proverb is used to describe a state of complete ruin or destitution where one is no longer able to offer hospitality to relatives or perform traditional worship. It reflects a situation where someone who was once prosperous and charitable has lost everything and can no longer fulfill their social or religious obligations.
చావు తప్పి కన్ను లొట్టబోయింది
chavu tappi kannu lottaboyindi
Death was avoided, but the eye was hollowed out.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one narrowly escapes a major disaster or death, but still suffers a significant, though non-fatal, loss or damage. It is similar to the English saying 'to have a close shave' or 'escaping by the skin of one's teeth' but with an emphasis on the minor damage incurred during the escape.
మూతి పెట్టినవాడు మేత పెట్టడా?
muti pettinavadu meta pettada?
Will the one who gave the mouth not provide the fodder?
This is a popular Telugu proverb used to express faith in divine providence or nature. It implies that the creator who gave life to a creature will also provide the necessary means for its sustenance. It is often said to reassure someone who is worried about their future or survival, suggesting that basic needs will inevitably be met.