చెరుకు నమలడానికి కూలి అడిగినట్లు
cheruku namaladaniki kuli adiginatlu
Like asking for wages to chew sugarcane
This expression describes a situation where someone asks for a reward or compensation for doing something that is already beneficial, pleasurable, or personally advantageous to them. It highlights the irony of demanding payment for an activity that is its own reward.
Related Phrases
నంగనాచికి నాలుగట్లు ఇస్తే నమలకుండా మింగినట్లు
nanganachiki nalugatlu iste namalakunda minginatlu
When four dosas were given to the innocent-acting woman, she swallowed them without even chewing.
This proverb is used to describe a hypocrite who pretends to be innocent, shy, or ascetic in public (a 'Nanganachi') but acts greedily when given the chance. It highlights the contrast between a person's fake outward humility and their inner greed.
చెరుకు పిప్పికి ఈగలు మూగినట్లు.
cheruku pippiki igalu muginatlu.
Like flies swarming over sugarcane pulp.
This expression is used to describe a situation where people gather around something that is useless, worthless, or has already been drained of its value. It highlights the futility of chasing after remains or leftovers that offer no real benefit.
చెరుకు తినడానికి కూలి ఇవ్వాలా?
cheruku tinadaniki kuli ivvala?
Is hire to be paid for eating sugar-cane?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is asked to do something that is already highly enjoyable or personally beneficial. It implies that no extra incentive or payment is needed to perform a task that is its own reward.
* Aunque el decidor sea loco, el escudador sea cuerdo. † Odi l'altra parte, e credi poco. ‡ Odi, veidi, e taci, se vuoi viver in pace. § Cae en la culpa el que otro á ella liva.
చెరుకు తీపి అని వేళ్లతో నమలవచ్చునా?
cheruku tipi ani vellato namalavachchuna?
Because the sugar-cane is sweet are you to chew it with the roots ?
This proverb is used to warn against taking undue advantage of someone's kindness or a good situation. It implies that even if something is beneficial or a person is generous, there should be a limit to how much you exploit it. Overusing or overstepping boundaries will eventually lead to negative consequences.
Said of a greedy, grasping person. Milk the cow, but don't pull off the udder. (Dutch.) Give him an inch and he'll take an ell. Give a clown your finger and he will take your whole hand.
కడిగిన నోరు, అడిగిన పిల్ల.
kadigina noru, adigina pilla.
A washed mouth and a child who asks.
This proverb highlights two things that are always ready or desirable. A 'washed mouth' refers to a clean mouth ready to eat, and an 'asking child' refers to a child who is curious, expressive, or communicative about their needs, which is considered a sign of healthy development and clarity.
అడవికిపోయిన ఆవులకు బంది అడిగినట్లు.
adavikipoyina avulaku bandi adiginatlu.
Like asking for a confinement fee for cows that have gone into the forest.
This proverb describes a situation where someone demands payment or taxes for something they do not control or have no authority over. It is used to mock illogical or greedy demands made by people who try to exploit situations where they have provided no service or protection.
శేరుకు నవాశేరు
sheruku navasheru
For a seer, a seer and a quarter.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone meets their match or encounters someone even more capable, cunning, or stronger than themselves. It implies that for every expert, there is always someone better.
గోడ పట్టుకో, కూలి అడిగివస్తాను.
goda pattuko, kuli adigivastanu.
Hold the wall, I will go ask for wages and return.
This expression is used to describe a person who tries to trick or delay someone with a foolish or impossible task to avoid paying them or to escape a situation. It signifies deceptive behavior where one person takes advantage of another's gullibility by making them do something redundant while they flee.
తలకు చుట్ట అడిగినట్లు
talaku chutta adiginatlu
Like asking for a head wrap for the head.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a request or demand that is redundant, obvious, or perfectly suited to the immediate need, often implying that what is being asked for is already essential or inevitable. It is frequently used when a person asks for something they are clearly entitled to or which is a natural fit for the context.
అన్నం అడిగినవాడికి సున్నం పెట్టినట్లు
annam adiginavadiki sunnam pettinatlu
Like applying lime to someone who asked for food
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.