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.
Related Phrases
పాడి ఆవును దానము చేసి పాలు మాత్రము పితుకుకొన్నట్టు.
padi avunu danamu chesi palu matramu pitukukonnattu.
Like making a present of a milch cow and merely milking her for himself afterwards.
This expression refers to someone who gives something away as a gift or charity but still tries to maintain control over it or enjoy its benefits. It is used to describe a person who wants the reputation of being generous without actually letting go of the advantages of the object donated.
మునిగిపోయినవాడా నువ్వులు చల్లుమన్నట్టు.
munigipoyinavada nuvvulu challumannattu.
O unfortunate man! sow Sesamum. Advice given to a farmer very unfortunate in his crops. The Sesamum crop is generally profitable.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is already in a state of total loss or ruin is asked to perform a ritual or act that no longer matters. It signifies a point beyond recovery where additional small efforts or ceremonial gestures are futile, or when someone takes advantage of another's complete downfall to get a task done.
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.
చెడిపోయి చెన్నపట్నం చేరమన్నట్టు
chedipoyi chennapatnam cheramannattu
Like being told to go to Chennai after being ruined.
This proverb suggests that when a person loses everything or fails in their hometown, they head to a big city (historically Chennai/Madras for Telugus) to start over or find new opportunities. It is used to describe a situation where someone seeks a fresh start in a distant place after a setback.
పొల్లు దంచి బియ్యము చేసినట్టు.
pollu danchi biyyamu chesinattu.
Like trying to get rice by pounding empty husk.
This proverb describes a futile or useless effort. Just as pounding empty grain husks (chaff) will never yield rice regardless of how much labor is put in, this expression is used when someone is wasting time on a task that has no possibility of a productive outcome.
బ్రతికి ఉండగా పాలు లేదు గాని, చచ్చిన వెనక గంగిగోవును దానం చేస్తానన్నట్టు.
bratiki undaga palu ledu gani, chachchina venaka gangigovunu danam chestanannattu.
While he lived no milk was given to him, but he was pro- mised that a sacred cow would be presented [on his ac- count] to a Brahman, after his death.
This proverb describes a hypocritical or ironic situation where someone neglects a person's basic needs when they are alive or in need, but makes grand, expensive gestures of charity or honor once they are gone. It is used to criticize people who perform showy acts of virtue too late to be of any actual help.
నల్లేరు మీద బండి నడక
nalleru mida bandi nadaka
Like a cart moving over a Cissus quadrangularis (Nalleru) plant.
This expression is used to describe a process that is extremely smooth, easy, and without any obstacles. Just as a cart glides effortlessly over the soft, succulent Nalleru plant, it signifies that a task is being completed very easily.
గోవులను కోసి చెప్పులు దానం చేసినట్లు
govulanu kosi cheppulu danam chesinatlu
Like killing cows and giving away sandals [made of the hide.]
This proverb refers to a person who commits a massive sin or causes great harm to achieve a very minor, insignificant act of charity or good. It highlights the hypocrisy and absurdity of trying to cover up a cruel act with a trivial righteous deed, or using unethical means to justify a small positive end.
Steal the goose, and give the giblets in alms.
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.
చద్ది తెచ్చుకొన్న బ్రాహ్మణుడా భోజనము చెయ్యి!
chaddi techchukonna brahmanuda bhojanamu cheyyi!
O Brahman! if you have brought food, eat it. Said to a selfish man who bores others by talking everlastingly of his own concerns.
This expression refers to a situation where someone is formally invited to do something they were already prepared or going to do anyway. It is used to describe a redundant or unnecessary invitation, or when someone tries to take credit for an action that the other person was already committed to performing.
* Corpo satollo non crede al digtuno, 20 ( 153 )