చిదిగి పొదిగి చిన్నవానికి పెండ్లి చేసే వరకు పెద్దవాని పెండ్లాము పెద్దలలోకి పోయినదట.

chidigi podigi chinnavaniki pendli chese varaku peddavani pendlamu peddalaloki poyinadata.

Translation

When by saving and saving they married the younger son, the elder son's wife went to her ancestors.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where excessive delay or extreme frugality in planning an event leads to the loss of its original purpose or results in another tragedy. It is used when someone takes so much time to organize or save for something that the circumstances change entirely, often making the effort redundant or bittersweet.

Related Phrases

When asked to speak auspicious words, the groom said all the married women at the wedding are his senior wives.

This proverb is used to describe a person who says something incredibly foolish, offensive, or inappropriate when asked to speak or act properly. It highlights the irony of someone ruining a positive situation by being tactless or utterly lacking common sense.

Your marriage is rubbish, come to my marriage and betel.

This expression describes a person who is extremely selfish and dismissive of others' priorities. It refers to someone who ignores the importance of another person's significant event (like their own wedding) while demanding they attend and participate in his own affairs.

They said your wedding is ruined, so come to my wedding to collect the ritual betel leaves (tamboolam).

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely insensitive or selfish. It refers to a situation where someone ignores another person's tragedy or loss and instead asks them for help or participation in their own celebration. It highlights a complete lack of empathy.

The day after the marriage the goddess of misfortune appeared in the face of the bridegroom. The bridegroom looked a poor creature when stripped of all his finery.

This expression is used to describe someone who looks unusually gloomy, dull, or miserable during a time that is supposed to be joyful or celebratory. 'Peddamma' (Jyestha Devi) symbolizes misfortune or lethargy, contrasting with the expected happiness of a newlywed.

At the marriage ceremony of a god all are rulers. Where there is no head, every one does what he likes.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no clear leader or hierarchy, and everyone acts as if they are in charge or equal in authority. It is often applied to social gatherings or collaborative tasks where everyone gives orders but no one follows them, or where no specific person is assigned the responsibility of a host.

At God's wedding, everyone is an elder/leader.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no clear authority, hierarchy, or organization because everyone involved considers themselves to be in charge. It is often applied to chaotic events where everyone is giving orders but no one is following them.

All shame is gone, junior wife; shall we at least go to the wedding, senior wife?

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks self-respect or has already lost their reputation and continues to act shamelessly without concern for social standing. It highlights a situation where someone, having already suffered a major embarrassment or failure, behaves as if nothing happened or tries to seek further social engagement despite their loss of dignity.

By the time the youngest son's wedding was arranged with great struggle, the eldest son's wife passed away.

This proverb describes a situation where one problem is solved with extreme difficulty only for another major crisis to occur. It highlights the irony of fate where despite continuous efforts to settle or fix affairs in a family or project, things never reach a state of completion or peace because new setbacks arise immediately.

He that is alive is the head man of the village, and he that is dead is the head man of the burial ground. A taunt used to one who tries to make out that he is very highly connected.

This proverb highlights the transient nature of power and social status. It suggests that authority and leadership are only relevant while a person is alive and present in society; once deceased, their worldly influence vanishes and they belong only to the graveyard.

For a poor man, his wife is his only wealth.

This proverb suggests that for someone with no material possessions or financial resources, a supportive and hardworking life partner is their greatest asset and source of strength. It highlights the value of companionship and family over material riches in times of poverty.