దరిలేని బావి, దావులేని కొంప.
darileni bavi, davuleni kompa.
A well without a ledge, a house without a proper site/foundation.
This proverb is used to describe things or situations that lack stability, safety, or proper structure. Just as a well without a protective wall (ledge) is dangerous to fetch water from, a house without a proper foundation or defined premises is insecure and lacks dignity. It is often used to refer to families or ventures that lack a strong leader or a solid base.
Related Phrases
దరిలేని బావి, వితరణలేని ఈవి
darileni bavi, vitaranaleni ivi
A well without a ledge, a gift without generosity.
This proverb highlights the uselessness or danger of things that lack essential qualities. A well without a protective ledge is dangerous and incomplete, just as an act of giving (charity) that lacks a true spirit of generosity or kindness is considered hollow and meaningless.
జోడులేని బ్రతుకు త్రాడులేని బొంగరము.
joduleni bratuku traduleni bongaramu.
A life without a partner is like a spinning top without a string.
This proverb highlights the importance of companionship. Just as a top cannot spin or find direction without a string to guide it, a person's life without a life partner is seen as aimless, unstable, or lacking support and control.
దరిలేని బావి దాపులేని కొంప
darileni bavi dapuleni kompa
A well without a ledge and a house without neighbors.
This proverb highlights the dangers of vulnerability and isolation. A well without a protective wall (ledge) is a safety hazard, just as a house located in a remote area without neighbors lacks support and security. It is used to describe a situation or lifestyle that is precarious and lacks a safety net.
అరికాలి ముల్లు నెత్తికి ఎక్కినట్లు
arikali mullu nettiki ekkinatlu
Like a thorn in the sole of the foot reaching the head.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a minor problem or a person of low status causes a disproportionately large amount of trouble or starts acting superior and arrogant. It signifies how something seemingly insignificant can escalate and become a major headache.
లంకంత కొంప
lankanta kompa
A house as big as Lanka
This expression is used to describe a very large, spacious, or sprawling house. It draws a comparison to the mythical city of Lanka from the Ramayana, which was known for its immense size and grandeur. It is often used to emphasize that a house is disproportionately large for the number of people living in it or simply to remark on its vastness.
అరికాలి ముల్లు నెత్తికి ఎక్కినట్టు
arikali mullu nettiki ekkinattu
Like a thorn in the sole of the foot reaching the head.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small or seemingly insignificant problem causes immense irritation, extreme anger, or distress throughout the entire body and mind. It conveys the feeling of sudden, sharp frustration.
ఉల్లిలేని కూర, పప్పులేని పెళ్ళి.
ullileni kura, pappuleni pelli.
Curry without onion is like a wedding without dal.
This proverb is used to describe something that is incomplete or lacks a fundamental ingredient. In Telugu cuisine and culture, onions are essential for taste in curries, and serving dal is a basic requirement for a wedding feast. It highlights that certain elements are indispensable for an experience or task to be satisfactory.
మెరియలేని గొల్ల, తీపిలేని చెరకు
meriyaleni golla, tipileni cheraku
A shepherd who cannot whistle, a sugarcane that is not sweet.
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that lacks the essential quality or skill required for its nature or purpose. Just as a shepherd must be able to whistle to herd animals and sugarcane is useless if not sweet, an object or person without its defining characteristic is considered ineffective or worthless.
అవ్వులేని మనిషి పిప్పిలేని పగడం ఉండదు
avvuleni manishi pippileni pagadam undadu
There is no human without a flaw, just as there is no coral without a pore.
This proverb highlights the reality that no human being is perfect. Just as natural coral inevitably has tiny holes or imperfections (pippi), every person has some weaknesses or faults. It is used to advise against expecting perfection from others or to encourage self-acceptance of one's own limitations.
కోలలేని పెట్టు, తాడులేని కట్టు
kolaleni pettu, taduleni kattu
A blow without a rod, a bond without a rope.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is deeply affected, controlled, or punished by words, social pressure, or psychological influence rather than physical force. It is often used to refer to a verbal reprimand or a situation where a person is bound by their own sense of duty or obligation without any physical constraints.
A sudden and unaccountable calamity.