దుమ్ము పోసి అంబలి కాచినట్టు
dummu posi ambali kachinattu
Like making porridge of dust. Labour wasted in a hopeless scheme.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone puts in a lot of effort or goes through a process, but the final result is completely ruined or made useless by a foolish mistake or poor quality ingredients. It signifies wasted effort resulting in something unpalatable or unsuccessful.
Related Phrases
తడిసి ముప్పందుం మోసినట్టు
tadisi muppandum mosinattu
Like carrying 30 Tûms ( 750 lbs. ) when you're wet.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a task that was already difficult becomes even more burdensome or complicated due to unforeseen circumstances. 'Muppandum' refers to a specific heavy measure of grain; when it gets wet, it becomes significantly heavier and harder to carry, symbolizing added trouble.
వేరు తవ్వి వేణ్నీళ్లు పోసినట్టు
veru tavvi vennillu posinattu
To dig out the roots and pour in hot water. To ruin a man utterly.
This expression is used to describe an action that is intended to destroy something completely from its foundation or to harm someone under the guise of helping. Just as pouring hot water on a dug-up root ensures the plant will never grow back, this refers to absolute destruction or irreversible damage.
బిత్తు విసిరి బిరస అంబలి కాచి, ఇంటికి నలుగురిని పిలిచి విందు చేసినట్లు
bittu visiri birasa ambali kachi, intiki nalugurini pilichi vindu chesinatlu
Throwing a handful of flour, boiling gruel quickly, and inviting four people home for a feast.
This expression is used to describe a person who makes a huge fuss or show over a very small, cheap, or insignificant act of charity or hospitality. It satirizes those who pretend to host a grand banquet when they are actually serving something basic and low-cost.
పాపమని పట్టెడంబలి పోస్తే, కారం లేదని కచ్చేరికి ఎక్కినట్లు.
papamani pattedambali poste, karam ledani kachcheriki ekkinatlu.
When offered a bowl of porridge out of pity, one went to court complaining it lacked spice.
This proverb describes extreme ingratitude or entitlement. It is used when someone receives help or a favor during a difficult time but instead of being thankful, they find petty faults or demand even more from the person who helped them.
పాముకు పాలు పోసినట్లు
pamuku palu posinatlu
Feeding a snake with milk.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone helps or shows kindness to a wicked or ungrateful person, who in turn ends up harming the benefactor. It highlights the futility and danger of nurturing someone with an inherently malicious nature.
Showing kindness to an ungrateful person.
అగ్నిహోత్రంలో ఆజ్యం పోసినట్లు
agnihotramlo ajyam posinatlu
Like ghee poured on fire. To cast oil in the fire is not the way to quench it.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's actions or words worsen an already volatile or angry situation. Just as pouring clarified butter (ghee) into a fire makes the flames roar higher, this refers to 'adding fuel to the fire' or instigating someone who is already furious.
కట్టవేసిన బట్టకు కావలి కాచినట్లు.
kattavesina battaku kavali kachinatlu.
Like guarding the clothes that have already been washed and spread out to dry.
This expression describes a situation where someone is performing a redundant or unnecessary task. It refers to a person watching over something that is already safe or in a state where guarding it serves no practical purpose, similar to 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or performing a futile, over-protective action.
ఆవూరి వారి అంబలి తాగి, దూవూరి వారి దూడలు కాచినట్లు
avuri vari ambali tagi, duvuri vari dudalu kachinatlu
Like drinking the porridge of one village and tending the calves of another village.
This proverb describes a situation where someone receives benefits or help from one person but works for or shows loyalty to someone else. It highlights the lack of gratitude or a mismatch between where one gets their sustenance and where they provide their service.
చింతలేని అంబలి చారెడే చాలు
chintaleni ambali charede chalu
A handful of porridge without worries is enough.
This proverb emphasizes that peace of mind is far more valuable than wealth or luxury. It suggests that a simple meal (ambali) eaten in tranquility is better than a feast consumed in stress or anxiety. It is used to express contentment with a modest but peaceful life.
కుంచెలో కదుళ్లు పోసినట్టు
kunchelo kadullu posinattu
Like pouring spindles into a corn measure. A noiseless operation.
This expression is used to describe an extremely noisy, chaotic, or restless situation. Just as putting metal spindles into a measuring vessel causes them to rattle and create constant noise/movement, it refers to people or things that cannot stay still or quiet.