చేతిలోని అన్నం చెరువులోకి విసిరి, చేయినాకి చెరువునీళ్లు తాగినట్లు.

This proverb describes a situation where basic necessities are lacking, yet there are demands or expectations for luxuries. It is used to mock people who cannot afford the bare minimum but aspire for high-end comforts, or to highlight extreme irony in one's financial or social state.

This expression describes a slow, tedious, or deliberate process of dismantling something or creating trouble. It specifically refers to the act of unraveling a rope bag (chikkani) strand by strand, implying a task that is done with calculated effort, often to cause subtle harm or to systematically strip away resources.

This expression is used to describe someone who eats excessively or has an insatiable appetite. It compares the capacity of their stomach to that of a lake, implying it is unusually large or bottomless.

This proverb highlights the importance of being near essential resources (like water) for survival while maintaining a healthy distance from relatives to avoid unnecessary conflicts, gossip, or dependence that can arise from over-familiarity.

This proverb is used to describe an extremely foolish or self-destructive decision. Since a crane's natural instinct is to eat fish, appointing it as a guard guarantees the loss of the fish. It refers to entrusting something valuable to someone who is most likely to steal or exploit it.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is abandoned or left without support in the middle of a crisis or a difficult situation, especially after being promised help initially.

This proverb emphasizes that without initial resources, capital, or preparation, one cannot expect a yield or result. It is used to point out that success requires having the necessary means at the start.

This proverb is used to indicate that small, insignificant efforts or resources are insufficient to achieve a large or monumental task. It suggests that major goals require substantial action rather than just minor attempts.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone moves away from their family and relatives to live in a solitary or secluded place, or when someone prefers peace and basic necessities over the complications of social circles. It highlights the choice of isolation or self-sufficiency over family ties.

This proverb suggests that if one loses their livelihood or property in their village, they should head to a big city (historically Madras, now Chennai) to find new opportunities and start over. It highlights that large cities provide diverse ways to make a living and survive even when one has hit rock bottom.