సముద్రంలో ఇంగువ కలిపినట్లు.
samudramlo inguva kalipinatlu.
Like mixing asafoetida in the ocean.
This expression is used to describe an action that is completely futile or a resource that is wasted because the scale of the problem is too vast. Just as a small amount of pungent asafoetida cannot change the taste or smell of the entire ocean, small efforts directed at massive problems result in no noticeable impact.
Related Phrases
ఇంగువ కట్టిన గుడ్డ
inguva kattina gudda
A rag which had held assafëtida.
This expression is used to describe a person or a family that has lost their past wealth or glory but still retains the aura or reputation of it. Just as a cloth used to wrap pungent asafoetida smells of it long after the spice is gone, the person carries the prestige of their former status.
Said of a man who is respected on account of his connection with the family of some famous person, no longer living ; or on account of his own greatness, now passed away.
సముద్రంలో పిట్ట రెట్టవేసినట్లు
samudramlo pitta rettavesinatlu
Like a bird dropping its waste into the ocean
This expression is used to describe a contribution or an addition that is so insignificantly small compared to the vastness of the whole that it makes no difference at all. It is similar to the English idiom 'A drop in the bucket'.
సముద్రములో వేసిన కాకిరెట్ట వలె.
samudramulo vesina kakiretta vale.
Like a crow's dropping in the ocean.
This expression is used to describe something that is completely insignificant or trivial in comparison to the vastness or magnitude of a situation. It implies that an action or contribution is so small that it makes no noticeable difference at all.
ఏరు ఎన్ని వంకలు పోయినా, సముద్రములోనే పడవలెను.
eru enni vankalu poyina, samudramulone padavalenu.
However many twists the river take, it must fall into the sea at last.
This proverb signifies that despite various diversions, struggles, or different paths taken in life or a process, the ultimate destination or result remains inevitable. It is often used to describe situations where someone tries different methods but eventually reaches the same unavoidable conclusion, or to highlight that truth and destiny eventually prevail.
ఇంటి పేరు ఇంగువ, వీధి పేరు గింగువ
inti peru inguva, vidhi peru ginguva
The family name is Asafoetida, the street name is Gingiva (humming sound).
This proverb is used to describe people who boast about their past glory or family legacy despite currently living in poverty or having lost all their wealth. Just as a container that once held asafoetida (hing) retains a faint smell even when empty, these people hold onto their status through words alone.
చచ్చేవానికి సముద్రము మోకాలి బంటి.
chachchevaniki samudramu mokali banti.
The sea to a desperate man is as [ shallow water only up to ] his knees. Men in despair fear nothing. Despair gives courage to a coward.
This proverb describes a state of desperation or extreme courage born out of having nothing left to lose. When someone is facing certain death or a total downfall, even the most daunting obstacles (like a vast ocean) seem trivial or manageable to them because they no longer fear the consequences.
సముద్రంలో కెరటాలు అణిగిన తరువాత స్నానం చేద్దామనుకున్నాడట
samudramlo keratalu anigina taruvata snanam cheddamanukunnadata
He thought he would bathe in the sea after the waves subsided.
This expression is used to describe someone who waits for the perfect, trouble-free moment to start a task, which never actually comes. It highlights the futility of waiting for all problems to disappear before taking action, as challenges are a natural part of any process, just as waves are inherent to the sea.
నూతి కప్పకు సముద్రము తెలుసా?
nuti kappaku samudramu telusa?
Is the sea near to a frog in a well ? Applied to a clumsy fellow.
This proverb is used to describe a person with a narrow perspective or limited knowledge who thinks their small world is everything. It highlights how someone with restricted experience cannot comprehend the vastness or complexity of the real world, much like a frog that believes its well is the entire universe.
సముద్రంలో కోటివి అద్దినట్లు
samudramlo kotivi addinatlu
Like dipping a small stick into the ocean.
This expression is used to describe an action that is insignificant or has no noticeable impact on a vast situation. It refers to a task that is so small compared to the scale of the problem that it makes absolutely no difference, similar to the English idiom 'a drop in the ocean.'
సముద్రంలో వాన పడినట్లు
samudramlo vana padinatlu
Like rain falling into the ocean
This expression is used to describe an action that is redundant, useless, or has no significant impact because it is being added to something that is already vast or abundant. Just as rain does not change the level of the sea, a small contribution or help given to someone who already has everything is considered pointless.