చిట్టెడు నూనె తెచ్చి చిన్నింట్లో దీపం, పెద్దింట్లో దీపం, వత్తికి వదిన నెత్తికి, మంగలి వాడి కత్తికి, మా బావ జుత్తుకు.
chittedu nune techchi chinnintlo dipam, peddintlo dipam, vattiki vadina nettiki, mangali vadi kattiki, ma bava juttuku.
Bringing a tiny measure of oil for the lamp in the small house, the lamp in the big house, for the wick, for the sister-in-law's head, for the barber's knife, and for my brother-in-law's hair.
This is a humorous and sarcastic expression used to describe a situation where someone tries to accomplish too many tasks or satisfy many people with an insignificantly small amount of resources. It highlights the impossibility of stretching a tiny resource (like a drop of oil) to cover multiple major needs, mocking poor planning or stinginess.
Related Phrases
గాలిలో దీపం పెట్టి దేవుడా నీ మహిమ చూపుమన్నట్టు
galilo dipam petti devuda ni mahima chupumannattu
Having put the lamp in the wind, he prays "O God! show thy power."
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes an unnecessary risk or acts carelessly, and then expects a miracle or divine intervention to prevent a disaster. It highlights the folly of not taking basic precautions and blaming fate or expecting God to fix self-inflicted problems.
గాలిలో దీపం పెట్టి దేవుడా నీ మహిమ అన్నట్లు
galilo dipam petti devuda ni mahima annatlu
Like placing a lamp in the wind and saying 'Oh God, show your miracle'
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes a foolish risk or acts with extreme negligence and then expects a miracle or divine intervention to save them. It is used to criticize people who do not take necessary precautions yet blame fate or ask for God's help when things inevitably go wrong.
గూట్లో దీపం, కుక్షిలో అన్నం
gutlo dipam, kukshilo annam
[ As soon as ] the light [is] in the niche, [he puts his] food into his belly. To save the oil.
This expression describes a state of basic contentment, security, and stability. Just as a lamp protected in a wall niche stays lit and food in the belly provides immediate satisfaction, it refers to having one's essential needs met—shelter and sustenance. It is often used to describe a simple, worry-free life or a situation where everything is in its proper, safe place.
ఉట్టికి ఎగరలేనమ్మ స్వర్గానికి ఎగురుతుందా?
uttiki egaralenamma svarganiki egurutunda?
If one cannot jump to the hanging pot, can she fly to heaven?
This proverb is used to mock someone who fails at a simple, basic task but makes grand claims about achieving something much more difficult or impossible. It highlights the gap between one's actual abilities and their lofty ambitions.
గూట్లో దీపం, నోట్లో ముద్ద
gutlo dipam, notlo mudda
Lamp in the niche, morsel in the mouth
This expression refers to a traditional practice of eating dinner immediately after lighting the evening lamp. It describes an early and disciplined routine of finishing the day's tasks promptly before total darkness set in, often used to signify a simple, timely, and orderly lifestyle.
ఇంటికి దీపం ఇల్లాలే
intiki dipam illale
The woman of the house is the lamp of the home.
This expression highlights the importance of a woman (wife/mother) in maintaining the harmony, prosperity, and happiness of a family. Just as a lamp dispels darkness, a virtuous woman is seen as the light that guides and sustains the household.
దీపావళికి దీపమంత చలి!
dipavaliki dipamanta chali!
By Diwali, the cold is as small as a lamp's flame.
This expression describes the seasonal transition in the Telugu states. It signifies that by the time of the Diwali festival, the winter season is just beginning to set in, and the cold is mild or minimal, metaphorically compared to the small heat or size of a lamp's flicker.
వెట్టికి పుట్టిన బిడ్డ నెత్తికి లేక ఏడ్చినదట
vettiki puttina bidda nettiki leka edchinadata
A child born where there was no love [ between the parents ] suffered for want [ of oil ] for its head.
This proverb is used to describe an unrealistic or greedy expectation. When someone is already in a state of extreme poverty or performing forced unpaid labor (vetti), expecting luxuries or even basic comforts is seen as ironic or foolish. It highlights the contradiction of seeking extras when the fundamental situation is dire.
గాలిలో దీపం పెట్టి దేవుడా నీ మహిమన్నట్లు
galilo dipam petti devuda ni mahimannatlu
Like placing a lamp in the wind and saying, 'O God, it is your miracle.'
This proverb describes a situation where someone acts recklessly or fails to take basic precautions, and then expects a divine or miraculous intervention to save them. It is used to criticize people who do not take responsibility for their actions and instead leave everything to fate or luck.
వెట్టికి పుట్టిన బిడ్డ నెత్తికి లేక పుట్టిందట
vettiki puttina bidda nettiki leka puttindata
A child born of forced labor was born without a head.
This proverb describes a situation where an outcome or a product is flawed or incomplete because it was done without interest, enthusiasm, or proper compensation (forced labor). It is used to mock work that is done carelessly or results that are useless due to a lack of effort.