దూస్తే దోసెడు, ఊడితే హుళక్కి
duste dosedu, udite hulakki
A handful if stripped/plucked, but nothing if it falls off on its own.
This proverb is used to describe things that appear abundant or significant when forcefully gathered or managed, but turn out to be insignificant, empty, or nonexistent when they occur naturally or fail. It is often used to refer to hair (which looks like a lot when held together but is nothing when shed) or to describe situations where the perceived value vanishes upon closer inspection or over time.
Related Phrases
ఎవరి ఇంటి దోసెకైనా తూట్లే.
evari inti dosekaina tutle.
Every household's dosa has holes.
This proverb is used to convey that every family or person has their own problems or flaws, no matter how perfect they appear on the outside. It is similar to the English expression 'Every family has a skeleton in the closet' or 'We all have our own crosses to bear.' It is typically used to comfort someone or to humble someone who thinks they are immune to common life struggles.
చదువు చేరెడు, బలపాలు దోసెడు
chaduvu cheredu, balapalu dosedu
Learning is a handful, while slate pencils are two handfuls.
This proverb is used to describe someone who spends more money or effort on the tools and accessories of a task than on the actual work or learning itself. It highlights a disproportionate focus on appearances or materials rather than the core objective.
చిక్కితే దొంగ, చిక్కకుంటే దొర
chikkite donga, chikkakunte dora
If caught, a thief; if not caught, a lord.
This expression describes a situation where a person's reputation or status depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the fact that many people who appear respectable might actually be doing something wrong but simply haven't been caught yet.
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరకకపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakakapote dora
If caught, he is a thief; if not caught, he is a lord.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status based on being caught. It is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. As long as their crimes are hidden, they are respected as a gentleman or 'Dora' (lord), but the moment they are caught, they are labeled a thief.
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరక్కపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakkapote dora
If caught, a thief; if not caught, a lord.
This proverb is used to describe hypocritical people who maintain a respectable image in society as long as their misdeeds remain hidden. It implies that many people are only considered 'honorable' or 'gentlemen' because they haven't been caught yet, highlighting that status often depends on the public eye rather than true character.
రామక్కదేమిపోయె రామన్నదేమిపోయె రాసిలోనిదే దోసెడుపోయె
ramakkademipoye ramannademipoye rasilonide dosedupoye
Ramakka lost nothing, Ramanna lost nothing, but a handful from the heap is gone.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two parties are arguing or transacting, and while neither of them suffers a personal loss, the common resource or the collective property they are managing is being depleted. It highlights how the 'heap' (common assets) suffers when individuals are careless or indifferent because it doesn't belong to them personally.
చద్ది పురిసెడు, ఊరగాయ దోసెడు
chaddi purisedu, uragaya dosedu
A handful of fermented rice, a palmful of pickle.
This expression describes a situation where the side dish or accompaniment is disproportionately larger than the main course. It is used to mock someone who uses excessive resources for a small task, or metaphorically when the decoration exceeds the substance.
దుబ్బు కాగెడు, వెన్ను మూరెడు, దూసితే దోశెడు, వూదితే యేమీ లేదు.
dubbu kagedu, vennu muredu, dusite doshedu, vudite yemi ledu.
The stock of the millet is as large as you can embrace; the ear is a cubit in length; when you pluck the corn out it is a double handful; when you blow all goes. Great show but no reality.
This is a traditional Telugu riddle or proverb describing the 'Sorghum' (Jonnalu) plant or more broadly, things that appear large and substantial but have very little substance or value upon closer inspection or processing. It is used to describe something that looks impressive on the outside but is hollow or disappointing in reality.
కుక్కను ఎక్కితే సుఖమూ లేదు, కూలబడితే దుఃఖమూ లేదు
kukkanu ekkite sukhamu ledu, kulabadite duhkhamu ledu
There is no pleasure in riding a dog, and no pain if it collapses.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a thing that is of very low value or trivial significance. It implies that being associated with such a person or thing brings no real benefit (honor), and losing it or failing in it causes no real loss or sorrow. It emphasizes the pointlessness of pursuing something inferior.
గుప్పెడు మూసి ఉన్నంతవరకే, తెరిస్తే అంతా హుళక్కి
guppedu musi unnantavarake, teriste anta hulakki
As long as the fist is closed it holds value; once opened, there is nothing inside.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation, secret, or wealth is respected only as long as it remains hidden or mysterious. Once the truth is revealed, it might turn out to be empty or disappointing. It emphasizes the power of keeping things confidential to maintain dignity or status.