బురదబుక్కడం వంటివాడు
buradabukkadam vantivadu
A man like an eel.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy, slow-moving, or lacks any ambition. It refers to someone who remains stagnant or stuck in one place without making any effort to improve their situation, much like an organism that stays fixed in mud.
Sloth. Apathy.
Related Phrases
కంటివంటి ప్రకాశం లేదు, మంటివంటి ఆధారంలేదు.
kantivanti prakasham ledu, mantivanti adharamledu.
There is no light like the eye, and no support like the earth.
This proverb highlights fundamental truths of existence. It means that physical sight (the eye) is the ultimate source of enlightenment/perception for an individual, and the earth (soil) is the ultimate foundation that sustains all life. It is used to emphasize the importance of vision and the basic necessity of nature.
పుట్టడము చావడము కొరకే
puttadamu chavadamu korake
To be born is but for death.
This expression reflects a philosophical view on the cycle of life and death. It is used to remind others that death is an inevitable outcome of birth and that one should not be overly attached to worldly life or fear the end, as it is a natural law of existence.
ఊడుగ విత్తనము వంటివాడు
uduga vittanamu vantivadu
He is like an Ûduga seed. The seed of the Ûduga ( Alangium Decapetalum ) after falling from the tree, is said to attach itself again to the trunk when the rain falls. To stick to a man like a leech in spite of all rebuffs.
This expression refers to a person who is extremely stubborn, persistent, or someone who sticks to their principles or opinions no matter how much pressure is applied. In nature, the Ooduga (Alangium salviifolium) seed is known for being very hard and difficult to crack or change, serving as a metaphor for an inflexible or highly resilient personality.
* Chi tocca la pece, s'imbratta.
కాశీకి పోవడము ఒకటి, కావడి తేవడము ఒకటి.
kashiki povadamu okati, kavadi tevadamu okati.
Going to Benares is one thing; bringing back a Kāvadi ( of Ganges water ) is another. Two great things to be done. Applied to keeping one great object in view.
This proverb is used to describe a long, arduous process or a project that involves two distinct, equally difficult stages. It implies that completing the first half of a journey or task is not enough; the return or the follow-through is just as critical and challenging. It emphasizes persistence and completeness in any undertaking.
ఏటి వరద, నోటి దురద.
eti varada, noti durada.
A river's flood and the mouth's itch.
This expression compares an uncontrollable river flood to a person who speaks without restraint. It is used to describe someone who talks incessantly or makes irresponsible remarks without thinking of the consequences, suggesting that both a flood and a loose tongue can cause significant damage and are hard to stop once started.
ఆడబోతే చూడబుద్ది, చూడబోతే ఆడబుద్ది
adabote chudabuddi, chudabote adabuddi
When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.
This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.
వాంతి వస్తే పెదవి అడ్డమా?
vanti vaste pedavi addama?
If one has to vomit, can the lips stop it?
This expression is used to describe a situation where something inevitable or overwhelming cannot be suppressed by minor or superficial restraints. It implies that when a strong natural force, a deep-seated truth, or a major consequence is about to break out, small attempts to hide or stop it are futile.
అరిచే కుక్క కరవదు
ariche kukka karavadu
A barking dog doesn't bite
This proverb is used to describe people who make a lot of noise, threats, or boasts but rarely take any action or cause actual harm. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'Barking dogs seldom bite'.
నాభిలో పుట్టిన పురుగు వంటివాడు
nabhilo puttina purugu vantivadu
One like a worm born in the Nâbhi. Nâbhi ( Sans. Vatsanâbha ) is an active vegetable poison, ' the root of the Aconite ferox brought from Nepal' ( Wilson ). Said of a treacherous villain.
This expression is used to describe someone who has intimate, first-hand, and deep knowledge of a person, family, or organization. Just as a worm residing in the navel knows everything about the body, this phrase refers to an insider who knows all the secrets and internal affairs.
బురదగుంటలో పందివలె
buradaguntalo pandivale
Like a pig in a mud pit
This expression is used to describe someone who is deeply wallowing in a bad situation, laziness, or a messy environment with no intention of improving or leaving. It signifies being comfortably stuck in filth or a degraded state.