అయ్యకు ఆరాటమేగాని పోరాటం తక్కువ
ayyaku aratamegani poratam takkuva
The father has much anxiety but little struggle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who talks a lot, worries excessively, or shows great enthusiasm outwardly, but lacks the actual effort, courage, or action to achieve the goal. It refers to someone who is 'all talk and no action'.
Related Phrases
ఆరాటమేగానీ, పోరాటం లేదు
aratamegani, poratam ledu
Anxiety exists, but struggle does not
This expression is used to describe a person who talks a lot about their desires, worries, or goals but fails to take any concrete action or put in the necessary effort to achieve them. It highlights the gap between mere wishing and actual hard work.
జీవం తక్కువ, జీతం ఎక్కువ
jivam takkuva, jitam ekkuva
Life is less, salary is more
This expression refers to a situation where a job or a person involves very little physical effort or productivity, yet receives a high salary or compensation. It is often used to comment on laziness or overpaid positions where the output does not justify the pay.
ఆడ పెత్తనం తంబళ్ళ దొరతనం
ada pettanam tamballa doratanam
The authority of a woman is like the lordship of a Tamballa man.
This proverb is used to criticize situations where people who are perceived as weak or unsuitable for leadership are given authority, suggesting that such leadership will be ineffective or lack real power. Historically, 'Tamballa' referred to a specific community of temple priests who were often seen as non-assertive, and this expression draws a parallel between their perceived nature and the leadership of women (reflecting traditional patriarchal views). It is used to mock a household or organization where the leadership is seen as weak or disorderly.
కదురుకు ఆరాటం పుడితే ఏ రాటానా నిలవదు
kaduruku aratam pudite e ratana nilavadu
If the spindle feels restless, it won't stay on any support.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely impatient or restless. It suggests that when someone lacks inner stability or focus, they cannot settle anywhere or finish any task successfully, regardless of the environment or support provided.
చేట భారతం
cheta bharatam
A Mahabharata as large as a winnowing basket.
This expression is used to describe a story, explanation, or document that is unnecessarily long, tedious, or excessively detailed. It compares a small or simple matter to the epic Mahabharata, implying that someone is stretching a simple point into a never-ending saga.
కులం తక్కువని కూడెట్టనన్నారట
kulam takkuvani kudettanannarata
They said they wouldn't serve food because the caste is lower.
This expression is used to highlight hypocrisy or situations where people use flimsy, discriminatory, or irrelevant excuses to avoid fulfilling a basic responsibility or showing hospitality. It points out how social prejudices are often weaponized to deny others their basic needs.
కులము తక్కువవానికి నీటు ఎక్కువ
kulamu takkuvavaniki nitu ekkuva
The one from a lower caste/status has more vanity.
This proverb is used to describe people who lack substance, character, or high status but try to overcompensate by being overly showy, boastful, or excessively concerned with outward appearances and fashion.
తక్కువవాడికి నిక్కెక్కువ, తవ్వెడు బియ్యానికి పొంగెక్కువ
takkuvavadiki nikkekkuva, tavvedu biyyaniki pongekkuva
A lowly person has more pride; a small measure of rice overflows more when boiled.
This proverb is used to criticize people with limited abilities or status who show excessive arrogance or vanity. It compares their behavior to a small pot of rice that foams over easily, suggesting that true greatness is humble while shallow people boast the most.
మాట చుట్టమేగాని, పూట చుట్టం కాదు.
mata chuttamegani, puta chuttam kadu.
A relative in words, but not a relative at mealtime.
This expression describes people who offer verbal sympathy or make grand promises but disappear when actual help or hospitality (like providing a meal) is required. It refers to someone who is friendly only on the surface and avoids the responsibility of true friendship or kinship.
ఏకులులేని రాటము మొగుడులేని పోరాటము
ekululeni ratamu moguduleni poratamu
A spinning wheel without cotton rolls is like a struggle without a husband.
This proverb highlights the futility or lack of purpose in certain situations. Just as a spinning wheel (raatamu) is useless without cotton slivers (eekulu) to spin, a domestic conflict or struggle (poratamu) in a household lacks traditional resolution or foundation in the absence of the husband (the head of the household in the historical context of the saying). It is used to describe a situation that is incomplete, ineffective, or leading nowhere.