పట్టిలు తినని కూరగాయలు బాపలకు దానమన్నట్లు
pattilu tinani kuragayalu bapalaku danamannatlu
Like donating vegetables that cows won't eat to the priests.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone 'generously' gives away something that is useless or unwanted by themselves. It highlights hypocritical charity or disposing of junk under the guise of being helpful or religious.
Related Phrases
కులం తప్పినవాడు బంతికి ముందు, కూరగాయలవాడు సంతకు ముందు
kulam tappinavadu bantiki mundu, kuragayalavadu santaku mundu
The one who lost their caste (status) is first in the dining row, the vegetable seller is first at the market.
This proverb describes people who are overly eager or arrive prematurely due to their specific needs or lack of social standing. Just as a vegetable seller arrives early at a market to secure a spot before others, a person who has been ostracized or lost status might rush to the front of a feast (pankti/row) to ensure they are served or acknowledged before being ignored.
పుచ్చిన వంకాయలు బాపనయ్యలకు
puchchina vankayalu bapanayyalaku
The rotten brinjals to the Brahmans.
This proverb is used to describe a stingy or hypocritical attitude where people donate or give away only useless, damaged, or spoiled items to others (traditionally referring to priests in this context) while keeping the good ones for themselves. It highlights the tendency to offer charity only when the item is of no value to the giver.
అరవై ఆరు కూరగాయలు, అంచుకు మిరియాల పొడి
aravai aru kuragayalu, anchuku miriyala podi
Sixty-six varieties of vegetables, with pepper powder on the side.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is an overwhelming abundance or variety of things, often to the point of being unnecessary or overly elaborate. It can also imply that despite having everything one could possibly need, one still looks for small additions or refinements.
కులము తప్పినవాడు బంతికిముందు, కూరగాయలవాడు సంతకుముందు
kulamu tappinavadu bantikimundu, kuragayalavadu santakumundu
The person who lost their caste (outcast) arrives first for the feast; the vegetable seller arrives first for the market.
This proverb highlights the eagerness or anxiety of certain individuals based on their situation. Just as a vegetable seller must arrive early to secure a good spot at the market to survive, someone who has been ostracized might arrive earliest to a public gathering or feast to ensure they are not ignored or to assert their presence before others arrive. It is used to describe people who show up excessively early or with a sense of urgency due to their specific needs or insecurities.
బట్టతలకు పేలు పట్టినట్లు
battatalaku pelu pattinatlu
Like lice infestation on a bald head
This expression is used to describe a situation that is impossible, illogical, or a blatant lie. Just as lice cannot live on a bald head because there is no hair to cling to, the phrase refers to claims or events that lack any basis in reality or common sense.
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.
చింతకాయలు తిన్న నోరు కొట్టులు తిననగునా?
chintakayalu tinna noru kottulu tinanaguna?
Can a mouth that has eaten tamarinds eat bits of wood?
This proverb describes a fall from grace or a significant decline in one's standard of living. It suggests that someone who was once accustomed to a comfortable or luxurious life (symbolized by tasty tamarinds) finds it difficult or unbearable to settle for a life of extreme poverty or hardship (symbolized by eating dry wood/scraps).
ఉప్పులేని పప్పు, ఊరగాయలేని సద్ది
uppuleni pappu, uragayaleni saddi
Dal without salt, curd rice without pickle.
This expression is used to describe something that is bland, incomplete, or lacking its essential flavor or excitement. Just as salt is vital for dal and pickle is the necessary accompaniment for fermented curd rice (saddi), a situation or a person's talk without substance is considered dull and unappealing.
పాడైపోయిన కూరలు బాపడికి
padaipoyina kuralu bapadiki
The rotten vegetables to the Brahman.
This proverb is used to describe a hypocritical or stingy person who offers useless or spoiled items to others as a form of charity or gift, rather than giving something of value. It highlights the tendency of some people to 'donate' only what they were going to throw away anyway.
Spurious benevolence. When Tom's pitcher is broken I shall get the sherds.
ఉప్పు ఊరగాయ కాదు
uppu uragaya kadu
Salt is not a pickle
This expression is used to remind someone that raw materials or basic ingredients are not the same as the final finished product. It highlights that potential or basic utility requires effort and processing to become something more valuable or enjoyable.