అవ్వ వడికిన నూలు తాత మొలత్రాడుకే సరిపోయిందట

This expression is used to describe someone who is acting overly smart, being cunning, or plotting a subtle and intricate plan to deceive others. It implies that the person is meticulously crafting a scheme, much like the patience required to spin very fine thread.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a large amount of resources is entirely consumed by a very small or preliminary part of a task, leaving nothing for the main objective. It highlights inadequacy or extreme wastefulness.

This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks basic resources but attempts a grand or busy task, only to find that the effort required for the logistics of the task consumes all their energy without yielding any benefit. It is used to mock people who participate in events they cannot afford or sustain, resulting in unnecessary struggle instead of enjoyment.

This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be weak, exhausted, or incapable despite being well-provided for or living a comfortable life. It highlights hypocrisy or 'acting' when someone who has no reason to suffer suddenly complains of hardship.

This expression is used when the extra effort or advantage gained at the start of a task is completely negated by a subsequent mistake or misfortune. It implies that despite a good start, one is back to square one due to poor execution or bad luck.

This expression describes a situation where the effort put into a task is exactly equal to or barely covered by the meager reward received, resulting in no real gain or profit. It is used when someone works hard just to meet basic sustenance or when a transaction results in a zero-sum outcome with no benefit for the labor involved.

This proverb describes a situation where the output or productivity is just barely enough to meet basic, immediate needs. It implies that despite a lot of effort or time spent (like an old woman spinning yarn), the result is minimal and only sufficient for a single, small purpose (the grandfather's waistband), leaving no surplus.

This proverb highlights the importance of having experienced elders (like a grandmother) to manage and guide a household, just as a standard unit of measure (like the traditional 'thavva') is essential for accurate transactions. It signifies that wisdom and proper standards are foundational for a stable life.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the effort or resources invested are exactly equal to the result obtained, leaving no profit or extra benefit. It refers to a 'break-even' scenario where one's hard work only just covers the basic costs, often used when someone feels their efforts were barely worth the outcome.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the resources or earnings available are barely enough to cover the basic expenses or the immediate container, leaving no surplus for anything else. It is often used when income is entirely consumed by necessities.