చచ్చిన బర్రె పాతెడు పాలిచ్చేది
chachchina barre patedu palichchedi
The dead buffalo used to give a potful of milk.
This proverb is used to describe the tendency of people to exaggerate the value or qualities of something or someone only after they are gone or lost. It highlights how people romanticize the past or overestimate the worth of a missed opportunity.
Related Phrases
మర్చిపోయి చచ్చినాను ప్రాణమా రమ్మంటే తిరిగి వచ్చునా?
marchipoyi chachchinanu pranama rammante tirigi vachchuna?
If one says "O life! I died by mistake, come back," will the life return?
This proverb is used to convey that certain actions are irreversible. Just as life cannot return once it has left the body—regardless of whether the death was accidental or intentional—certain mistakes cannot be undone, and lost opportunities or broken trust cannot be restored simply by wishing for them.
చచ్చిన గొర్రెకు నాలుగు కాళ్ళు, పోయిన బోసి ముంతెడు
chachchina gorreku nalugu kallu, poyina bosi muntedu
The dead sheep had four legs, and the lost pot was a full vessel.
This expression is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the value or qualities of someone or something once it is lost or dead. It highlights the human tendency to glorify the past or lost items far beyond their actual worth.
చేసిపోయిన కాపురం చూచిపోను వచ్చినట్లు
chesipoyina kapuram chuchiponu vachchinatlu
Like returning to see a household that one once built and left.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was previously in charge or responsible for a task returns merely as a visitor or observer, often with a sense of nostalgia or to see how things are being managed in their absence. It highlights the transition from a role of active responsibility to one of a detached onlooker.
పగవాని యింట పది బిచ్చాలు పోయినా పోయినవే
pagavani yinta padi bichchalu poyina poyinave
Even if ten alms are lost in an enemy's house, they are simply gone.
This proverb suggests that one should not expect any benefit, hospitality, or return from an enemy. Even if you give or lose something valuable to an adversary, it should be considered a total loss because an enemy will never acknowledge the gesture or reciprocate. It is used to advise people to avoid dealings with those who harbor ill-will.
చెడిపోయిన బ్రాహ్మణుడికి చచ్చిపోయిన ఆవును దానము చేసినట్టు
chedipoyina brahmanudiki chachchipoyina avunu danamu chesinattu
Like offering a dead cow to an outcast Brahman. Knock a man down, and kick him for falling. Him that falls all the world run over. (German.) All bite the bitten dog. (Portuguese.)
This expression describes a situation where one useless or ruined thing is given to someone who is already in a helpless or destitute state. It refers to a mock charity or a futile gesture where neither the giver is making a sacrifice nor the receiver is getting any benefit. It is used to mock instances where someone tries to solve a problem with a worthless solution.
మా బుజ్జి చస్తే చచ్చిందిగానీ, మా పెదనాయన బజ్జి పాలివ్వకపోతే చాలు
ma bujji chaste chachchindigani, ma pedanayana bajji palivvakapote chalu
It's okay if my calf dies, as long as my uncle's buffalo doesn't give milk.
This proverb is used to describe an extreme level of spite or jealousy where a person is willing to suffer a personal loss as long as it results in someone they dislike not succeeding or gaining a benefit. It highlights a 'lose-lose' mentality driven by malice.
వదనమే చంద్రుడై వచ్చీరావడంతోనే వడదెబ్బ తగిలినట్లు
vadaname chandrudai vachchiravadantone vadadebba tagilinatlu
As if a face like the moon arrived and immediately caused a sunstroke.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something that appeared beautiful or promising at first glance unexpectedly resulted in a harsh or painful experience immediately upon arrival. It highlights the irony of a pleasant presence causing sudden distress.
మబ్బులు చెదిరిపోయినా వాననీరు నిలిచే ఉంటుంది.
mabbulu chediripoyina vananiru niliche untundi.
Even if the clouds scatter, the rainwater remains.
This expression is used to describe situations where the consequences, effects, or influence of an event persist long after the event itself has concluded. It is often used in the context of someone's legacy, the lasting impact of a major crisis, or how the reputation of a person stays in the minds of people even after they are gone.
చచ్చిన గొర్రె కసాయివాడి పాలు, పోయిన కుండ కుమ్మరివాడి పాలు.
chachchina gorre kasayivadi palu, poyina kunda kummarivadi palu.
The milk given by the streaked goat which is dead filled the lost pot with a piece out.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone experiences a loss, and that loss ends up benefiting someone else who is already associated with that trade or situation. It signifies that once something is lost or destroyed, it is of no use to the owner and becomes the gain of the service provider or a third party.
పగవానింట పది బిచ్చాలు పోయినా పోయినవే
pagavaninta padi bichchalu poyina poyinave
If alms are given ten times in an enemy's house, so much the better.
This proverb suggests that one should not expect help or goodwill from an enemy. Even if they appear to give something or help you, it is likely temporary, unreliable, or comes with hidden strings that ultimately result in a loss for you. It emphasizes the importance of self-respect and the futility of depending on those who wish you ill.