చొల్లంగి తీర్థానికి చోడిగింజలంతేసి
chollangi tirthaniki chodiginjalantesi
Ragi seeds for the Chollangi pilgrimage
This expression is used to describe an offering or effort that is disproportionately small or cheap compared to the significance of the event. It highlights a mismatch between a grand occasion and a meager contribution, often used sarcastically to call out stinginess or lack of seriousness.
Related Phrases
అజీర్ణానికి ఆకలి మెండు.
ajirnaniki akali mendu.
For indigestion, hunger is plentiful.
This proverb refers to a condition where one feels frequent or excessive hunger despite having indigestion or a stomach upset. Metaphorically, it is used to describe a situation where someone who is incapable or lacking in substance makes excessive demands or shows greedy desire for more than they can handle.
బొంకరా గురవా అంటే గురజాల దోమలు గురిగింజలంతేసి అన్నాడట
bonkara gurava ante gurajala domalu guriginjalantesi annadata
When told to lie, the student said the mosquitoes in Gurajala are as big as lucky seeds.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, when given the slightest opportunity or encouragement to exaggerate or lie, goes to ridiculous and unbelievable extremes. It highlights the lack of common sense in making up tall tales.
వనవాసం చేయలేరు, వంగి వంగి తిరుగలేరు
vanavasam cheyaleru, vangi vangi tirugaleru
They cannot live in the forest, and they cannot stoop down and move around.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely picky or demanding. It refers to someone who is unwilling to endure hardships (the forest life) but also refuses to humble themselves or work hard in a civilized society (bowing down). It characterizes someone who finds fault in every situation and lacks the flexibility to adapt.
తేరుతీసిననాటి తీర్ణంవలె.
terutisinanati tirnamvale.
Like the temple fair on the day the chariot is drawn.
This expression is used to describe a place that is extremely crowded, chaotic, or bustling with activity. It refers to the massive gathering of people seen during a village temple festival (Thirunallu) specifically on the day the ceremonial chariot (Teru) is pulled through the streets.
మానెడు గింజల కోసం పనికి పోతే, కుంచెడు గింజలు దూడ తినిపోయిందట
manedu ginjala kosam paniki pote, kunchedu ginjalu duda tinipoyindata
When someone went to work to earn a 'maanedu' of grains, a calf ate a 'kunchedu' of grains at home.
This proverb describes a situation where a person suffers a large loss while trying to achieve a small gain. It is used to highlight poor prioritization or scenarios where the cost of an endeavor far outweighs the potential reward.
ఎదిగిన దాన్ని వెంటేసుకుని తిరిగినట్లు
edigina danni ventesukuni tiriginatlu
Like wandering around with a grown-up daughter.
This expression is used to describe an awkward or burdensome situation where one has to constantly look after or accompany someone who is already grown up or a task that has become too large to handle easily. It often refers to the social and protective responsibility a parent feels for a daughter of marriageable age in traditional contexts, implying a sense of constant vigilance or a lingering responsibility that one cannot easily set aside.
శివరాత్రికి చింతగింజలంత చలి
shivaratriki chintaginjalanta chali
By Maha Shivaratri, the cold is the size of a tamarind seed.
This is a popular Telugu saying referring to the seasonal transition. It signifies that by the time of the Shivaratri festival (usually in late February or early March), the winter season has almost ended, and the cold weather has reduced to a negligible amount, as small as a tamarind seed.
కుంచెడు గింజలకు కూలికి పోతే, తూమెడు గింజలు దూడ తిన్నట్టు.
kunchedu ginjalaku kuliki pote, tumedu ginjalu duda tinnattu.
While she was out working for a kuncham of grain, the calf [ at home ] ate a tūmu.
This proverb describes a situation where the effort to earn a small gain results in a much larger loss. It is used when someone's attempt to save or earn a little bit of money backfires, leading to a significant setback or waste at home due to their absence or lack of oversight. (Note: A 'toomu' is a larger measurement than a 'kuncham'.)
A tūmu is a measure equal to 4 kunchams. One step forwards and two backwards.
కాలంనాటికందిగింజ, పెద్దలనాటి పెసరగింజ
kalamnatikandiginja, peddalanati pesaraginja
A pigeon pea from the olden times, a green gram from the ancestors' times
This expression is used to describe something that is extremely old, ancient, or outdated. It often refers to objects, traditions, or ideas that have been preserved for generations, sometimes implying they are long-lasting and at other times suggesting they are archaic.
పట్టిసం తీర్థానికి పత్తిగింజలంత మామిడిపిందెలు
pattisam tirthaniki pattiginjalanta mamidipindelu
By the time of the Pattiseema festival, mango buds are as small as cotton seeds.
This is a seasonal observation and a traditional saying used to mark a specific point in the agricultural and festive calendar. It implies that during the Pattiseema temple festival (usually occurring around Shivaratri), mango trees are just beginning to fruit, and the buds are tiny. It is used to describe the early stages of a process or to denote the specific timing of an event based on nature's cycle.