చావ చావడు, మంచమూ వదలడు
chava chavadu, manchamu vadaladu
He would neither die nor give up his bed.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a person that is stuck in a state of limbo, causing prolonged distress or inconvenience to others. It refers to a problem that doesn't get resolved but continues to linger, or a person who occupies a position without being productive, preventing others from taking over.
Related Phrases
ముండ చావనూ చావదు, ముట్టు తప్పనూ తప్పదు
munda chavanu chavadu, muttu tappanu tappadu
The widow neither dies nor does her menstrual cycle stop.
This proverb is used to describe a persistent, annoying problem or a person who remains a constant nuisance without any resolution. It refers to a situation that is stuck in a stagnant, unpleasant state where there is neither an end to the trouble nor any relief from the daily difficulties associated with it.
చావ చావడు, చాప ఇవ్వడు
chava chavadu, chapa ivvadu
He neither dies nor gives up the mat.
This expression refers to a person who is neither performing a task nor stepping aside to let someone else do it. It is used to describe a stubborn or obstructive person who occupies a position or resource without being productive, effectively blocking progress for everyone else.
మంచివాడు మంచివాడంటే, మంచమంతా కంతలు చేసినాడు.
manchivadu manchivadante, manchamanta kantalu chesinadu.
When called a good man, he made holes all over the cot.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes undue advantage of the praise or kindness shown to them. It refers to people who, when trusted or given freedom due to their 'good' reputation, end up causing damage or acting irresponsibly. It is used to caution against blind trust or to describe someone who lacks common sense despite being called 'good'.
పదిమందిలో పడ్డపాము చావదు
padimandilo paddapamu chavadu
A snake falling among a lot of people will not die. A bad man often escapes through the difference of opinion among others as to his guilt, as a snake does through the Hindu's super- stitious dread of killing it.
This proverb describes a situation where a task remains unfinished because too many people are involved, but no one takes individual responsibility. When many people are present, everyone assumes someone else will handle the problem (in this case, killing the snake), leading to inaction. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'Too many cooks spoil the broth' or 'Everybody's business is nobody's business'.
చావనివ్వడు, బ్రతకనివ్వడు
chavanivvadu, bratakanivvadu
He will neither allow me to die nor to live. Perpetual worrying.
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely suffocating or troublesome. It refers to someone who keeps others in a state of perpetual misery or limbo, where they are neither allowed to move on nor allowed to live in peace.
చూచిగాని త్రాగవలదు, చదివిగాని వ్రాలుంచవలదు
chuchigani tragavaladu, chadivigani vralunchavaladu
Do not drink without seeing, do not sign without reading.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of caution and due diligence in everyday life. It advises that one should never consume something without inspecting it first (to ensure it is safe), and one should never sign a document without reading its contents thoroughly to understand the implications.
చెట్టుకు చావ నలుపు, మనిషికి చావ తెలుపు
chettuku chava nalupu, manishiki chava telupu
Black is the death for a tree, white is the death for a human.
This proverb highlights indicators of decay or failure. In plants, turning black usually signifies rot or death. In humans, turning white (pale) often indicates illness, fear, or the loss of vitality. It is used to describe how different entities show signs of their decline in distinct ways.
పాము చావకూడదు, బడితె విరగకూడదు
pamu chavakudadu, badite viragakudadu
The snake should not die, and the stick should not break.
This proverb describes a situation where one seeks a solution that resolves a conflict or achieves a goal without causing harm to anyone involved or damaging the resources used. It is used when suggesting a balanced, diplomatic, or 'win-win' approach to a delicate problem.
చచ్చేదాకా వైద్యుడు వదలడు, చచ్చినా పంచాంగబ్రాహ్మడు వదలడు
chachchedaka vaidyudu vadaladu, chachchina panchangabrahmadu vadaladu
The doctor won't leave you until you die, the priest won't leave you even after you die.
This proverb highlights how human life is constantly surrounded by various dependencies from birth to death and even beyond. It is often used humorously or cynically to describe how professionals or certain systems continue to extract fees or influence a person's life and their family's affairs throughout all stages of existence.
చావనివ్వడు, బ్రతకనివ్వడు
chavanivvadu, bratakanivvadu
He neither lets one die nor lets one live.
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely suffocating or harassing. It refers to someone who keeps others in a state of constant misery, preventing them from progressing or finding peace, yet not letting them completely abandon the situation.