చెట్టును తేరా అంటే, గుట్టను తెచ్చినట్లు
chettunu tera ante, guttanu techchinatlu
When asked to bring a tree, it is like bringing a hillock.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task that is vastly different in scale or nature from what was actually requested, usually due to a lack of understanding or excessive, misdirected effort. It highlights the mismatch between the instruction and the execution.
Related Phrases
కాశీకి పోయి గాడిద గుడ్డు తెచ్చినట్లు.
kashiki poyi gadida guddu techchinatlu.
Like going to Kashi and bringing back a donkey's egg.
This expression is used to mock someone who undertakes a long, arduous journey or puts in significant effort, only to return with something useless, non-existent, or disappointing. Since donkeys do not lay eggs, it highlights the absurdity and futility of the person's claim or achievement after a grand endeavor.
సొమ్ముల ఆశ పాపం తెచ్చింది, చెడు ఆలోచన చేటు తెచ్చింది
sommula asha papam techchindi, chedu alochana chetu techchindi
The greed for wealth brought sin, and evil thoughts brought ruin.
This proverb highlights the destructive nature of greed and malice. It implies that being overly obsessed with money leads one to commit sinful acts, while harboring negative intentions or bad thoughts eventually leads to one's own downfall or misfortune. It is used as a moral warning to maintain integrity and a positive mindset.
గుత్తికిపోయి గూటం తెచ్చుకొన్నట్లు.
guttikipoyi gutam techchukonnatlu.
Like going for a bunch (of flowers/fruit) and bringing back a club.
This proverb describes a situation where someone goes out expecting a benefit or a pleasant outcome but returns with something harmful or a punishment instead. It is used to mock poor decision-making or bad luck where an attempt to gain something resulted in a loss.
పితికే బర్రెను ఇచ్చి పొడిచే దున్నను తెచ్చినట్టు.
pitike barrenu ichchi podiche dunnanu techchinattu.
He bartered a milch she buffalo for a goring he buffalo.
This proverb describes a foolish exchange or a bad bargain. It refers to a situation where someone gives away something useful and productive (the milking buffalo) only to replace it with something useless and harmful (the aggressive bull). It is used when a person makes a decision that results in a significant loss of utility and an increase in trouble.
మక్కాకు పోయి కుక్క మలము తెచ్చినట్టు
makkaku poyi kukka malamu techchinattu
Going to Mekka and bringing back dog's dirt.
This expression is used to describe a person who goes on a great or sacred journey (or takes on a significant opportunity) but returns with something worthless or engages in something trivial and disgraceful. It highlights the irony of wasting a valuable opportunity or a holy pilgrimage by focusing on or bringing back something foul.
సారె తెచ్చిన కోడలు, ముల్లె తెచ్చిన అల్లుడు
sare techchina kodalu, mulle techchina alludu
A daughter-in-law who brings gifts and a son-in-law who brings wealth.
This expression highlights the material expectations and value placed on relatives based on the assets or dowry they bring into a family. It implies that such individuals are often given more respect or importance because of their financial contribution. It is used to describe the transactional nature of some familial relationships.
తెగించి దానం చేస్తాను తేరా పిడికెడు ఆళ్లు అన్నట్లు.
teginchi danam chestanu tera pidikedu allu annatlu.
Like saying 'I will donate daringly, now bring me a handful of kodo millets'.
This proverb is used to mock people who make grand, boastful promises of generosity or bravery but do not even possess the basic resources to fulfill them. It highlights the irony of someone acting like a great philanthropist while asking others for a small amount of cheap grain (millets) to give away.
పాలు ఇచ్చే బర్రెను అమ్మి పైన ఎక్కే దున్నను తెచ్చుకొన్నట్లు
palu ichche barrenu ammi paina ekke dunnanu techchukonnatlu
Like selling a milk-giving buffalo to buy a male buffalo just to ride on it.
This proverb is used to describe a foolish person who gives up a productive or profitable asset for something that provides status or temporary pleasure but is ultimately unproductive or a liability. It highlights poor decision-making where one sacrifices long-term utility for short-term vanity or convenience.
చిచ్చును ఒడిగట్టి తెచ్చినట్లు
chichchunu odigatti techchinatlu
Like carrying fire tied in the fold of one's garment
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that brings trouble, danger, or destruction along with them. Just as carrying live embers in a cloth is dangerous and will eventually burn the person carrying it, inviting a troublemaker or initiating a risky plan will lead to self-destruction.
తెగించి దానము చేస్తాను తేరా పిడికెడు ఆళ్లు అన్నట్టు.
teginchi danamu chestanu tera pidikedu allu annattu.
I have determined on being liberal, bring a handful of grain.
This proverb is used to mock people who make grand, boastful promises of generosity or bravery when they actually possess nothing or have very little to offer. It highlights the irony of someone acting like a great philanthropist while asking others for basic necessities.