ఆవునిచ్చి పలుపు దాచినట్లు
avunichchi palupu dachinatlu
Giving away the cow but hiding the tethering rope.
This proverb refers to a situation where someone performs a major act of generosity or completes a significant task, but ruins it or holds back on a very small, trivial detail. It is used to describe a person who is 'penny wise and pound foolish' or someone who makes a large sacrifice but shows pettiness regarding a minor related matter.
Related Phrases
పాలకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచినట్లు.
palaku vachchi munta dachinatlu.
Like coming for milk but hiding the vessel.
This proverb is used to describe a person who approaches someone for help or with a specific purpose but hesitates to speak their mind or hides their true intentions due to shyness, false pride, or unnecessary secrecy. It highlights the irony of wanting something while being too secretive to ask for it.
ఏనుగును ఇచ్చి అంకుశం దాచినట్లు
enugunu ichchi ankusham dachinatlu
Giving away an elephant but hiding its goad.
This proverb describes a situation where someone performs a major act of generosity or makes a massive investment but gets stingy or hesitant over a trivial, minor detail required to make it functional. It is used when someone completes a huge task but stops short of finishing the small final touch.
మజ్జిగకు వచ్చి, ముంత దాచినట్లు.
majjigaku vachchi, munta dachinatlu.
Like coming for buttermilk but hiding the pot.
This proverb describes someone who visits for a specific purpose or favor but tries to hide their true intention out of false modesty or hesitation. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the awkwardness of being indirect when the need is obvious.
నిజం దాచుకోవచ్చు గాని నిప్పు దాచుకోలేము.
nijam dachukovachchu gani nippu dachukolemu.
You can hide the truth, but you cannot hide fire.
This proverb emphasizes that truth, much like fire, cannot remain hidden for long. Just as fire eventually burns through its covering and reveals itself via heat or smoke, a concealed truth will inevitably come to light despite any attempts to suppress it. It is used to advise someone that secrets or lies are temporary and will eventually be exposed.
పాలకు వచ్చి ముంత దాచినట్టు
palaku vachchi munta dachinattu
Begging for milk and hiding his cup.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone approaches another person for help or a favor but is too hesitant, shy, or secretive to state their actual need. It highlights the irony of intending to ask for something while concealing the very tool or reason needed to receive it.
Poverty and pride.
దొరలు ఇచ్చిన పాలుకన్నా ధరణి ఇచ్చిన పాలు మేలు.
doralu ichchina palukanna dharani ichchina palu melu.
The share given by the earth is better than that given by the government. Free lands are better when fertile, than shares of grain allotted by government.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the bounty of nature over patronage from the powerful. It suggests that what one earns through honest labor on their own land is superior and more sustainable than gifts or favors received from those in power, which often come with conditions or strings attached.
ఇచ్చింది ఇచ్చి పుచ్చుకున్నట్లు
ichchindi ichchi puchchukunnatlu
Giving what was given and taking back what was taken
This expression is used to describe a situation where an exchange or transaction results in no net gain or change, essentially returning to the original state. It is often used to describe futile efforts or circular logic where one ends up exactly where they started.
వాలుపై నడచినట్లు
valupai nadachinatlu
Like walking on a slope.
This expression is used to describe a situation where things are progressing very easily, naturally, or without any resistance. Just as walking downhill requires little effort, it signifies a smooth and effortless process.
కలిమి వచ్చిన తలుపు మూయునట్లు.
kalimi vachchina talupu muyunatlu.
Like closing the door when wealth arrives.
This expression refers to a person's change in behavior or attitude after attaining wealth or prosperity. It describes someone who becomes selfish, secretive, or exclusive, cutting off social ties and shutting their doors to others once they become rich.
కుండలు దాచినా, కండలు దాచలేము
kundalu dachina, kandalu dachalemu
Even if you hide the pots, you cannot hide the muscles.
This proverb is used to explain that while one can hide the physical evidence of eating well (the pots used for cooking), the physical health and strength gained from it (the muscles) will eventually reveal the truth. In a broader sense, it means that internal development or true character cannot be concealed for long, even if the external process is kept secret.