బడాయి బండెడు, బత్తెం గిద్దెడు

This expression is used to describe a task or responsibility that brings no reward, benefit, or appreciation despite the effort put in. It can also refer to thankless jobs or situations where one works hard for nothing in return.

This proverb characterizes the cultural traits traditionally associated with two Andhra cities: Bandar (Machilipatnam) and Guntur. It suggests that people from Bandar are known for their grand talk, style, or vanity (badayi), whereas people from Guntur are known for their hot-tempered, confrontational, or argumentative nature (ladayi). It is used to humorously generalize the temperaments of individuals based on their origin from these regions.

This proverb is used to describe a person who talks without logic or common sense. Since oxen are male and cannot give milk, claiming one gave milk shows total ignorance or a refusal to listen to facts. It highlights situations where someone provides an absurd answer to a simple premise.

This proverb is used to describe a person who boasts or brags excessively about their wealth, status, or abilities, but in reality, possesses very little or lives in poverty. It highlights the contrast between high-sounding words and a lowly reality.

This proverb highlights the irony of human traditions where people spend extravagantly on funeral rituals and feasts for the deceased, often by borrowing money, which leaves the surviving family members in deep financial distress. It is used to criticize performative social customs that prioritize ritualistic honor over the practical welfare of the living.

This proverb is used to describe someone who shows off their power or authority only over those who are weak or unable to resist. Just as rain makes a big impact on barren alkaline soil (where it serves no productive purpose) but is insignificant elsewhere, some men display their dominance only over their wives because they cannot exert influence in the outside world.

This expression is used to mock someone who brags or talks big despite lacking the financial means or the actual capability to back up their claims. It suggests that empty boasting by someone without resources is meaningless and ineffective.

This expression is used to describe a person who puts on an expensive or grand outward display of wealth and status, while in reality, they are struggling to afford even basic necessities. It mocks the act of prioritizing vanity and social status over practical needs and survival.

This proverb describes where certain entities show off their power or influence. Just as rain is most noticeable on barren alkaline soil and a laborer takes pride in their specific dwelling area, a person often displays their dominance or arrogance where they have easy authority, such as a husband over his wife in a traditional domestic context. It is used to mock those who show strength only over the vulnerable or in limited domains.

This proverb is used to describe people who boast excessively or put on great displays of grandeur despite having very humble or meager means. It highlights the disparity between one's empty talk (bragging) and their actual reality or substance.