ద్వారపూడి పచ్చెపువాడి వత్తు

dvarapudi pachchepuvadi vattu

Translation

Like a pickpocket of Dvârapûḍi. Dvârapûḍi is a notorious village in the Godavery District. ధ.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who claims to be leaving but stays back indefinitely, or a situation that seems to be ending but keeps dragging on. It originates from a folk story about a gambler who kept saying he would leave once his wick burnt out, but he kept extending it to continue playing.

Related Phrases

Like a temple coming and falling on you.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an unexpected, massive responsibility or a heavy burden suddenly falls upon someone without any prior warning or effort of their own. It is often used when an unavoidable problem or a huge task is thrust upon a person.

An unexpected calamity.

Even if a north-facing house is given for free, do not take it.

This is a traditional architectural superstition or Vastu-related saying. It suggests that a house with its main entrance facing north is considered highly inauspicious or unlucky in certain cultural contexts, to the point that it's not worth owning even as a gift. It is used to emphasize how undesirable something can be despite its apparent value.

His business has come into the niche.

This expression is used to indicate that someone's time is up, or they have reached the end of their rope. It often implies that someone's mischievous deeds or a specific phase of their life/work is coming to an end, or that they are finally caught or cornered.

He is on his last legs.

The son-in-law arrived just then, and the greedy fellow arrived just then.

This expression is used to describe a situation where multiple guests or demands arrive simultaneously, making it difficult for the host to manage hospitality. It specifically highlights the coincidence of a welcome guest (the son-in-law) and an unwelcome or demanding guest (the greedy person) appearing at the same moment.

A man with liver disease has yellow eyes. For the sick eyes everything looks yellow.

When people have some problem with their health or in their conduct, they find the same problems in everybody around.

The strange raw tamarind soup supposedly swallowed the leaf plate.

This expression is used to describe an absurd or impossible situation where the effect/consequence is so extreme that it consumes the source or its container. It is often used to mock exaggerated claims or to point out a situation where something intended to be simple becomes unexpectedly destructive or overwhelming.

Will raw butter be praised in front of pure ghee?

This proverb is used to say that a lesser version or an incomplete product cannot compete with the refined, final, or superior version. It emphasizes that once someone experiences the best (ghee), they will no longer value the basic or raw form (butter).

Can a mistress become a housewife, and can swelling become strength?

This proverb highlights the difference between superficial appearance and genuine substance. Just as swelling (edema) is a sign of illness and should not be mistaken for physical strength or healthy weight, a temporary or illicit relationship cannot be equated to the stability and sanctity of a committed marriage. It is used to point out that false appearances or temporary situations cannot replace reality or merit.

Each person's madness is their own joy.

This proverb suggests that everyone has their own unique eccentricities, hobbies, or obsessions that might seem irrational to others but bring great satisfaction to themselves. It is used to express that happiness is subjective and one shouldn't judge what makes another person happy, even if it seems foolish.

What remains is the bank (solid ground), what is lost is the husk.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, after a loss or a filtering process, only the essential or valuable part remains while the useless or trivial part is gone. It is often used to console someone by pointing out that even if something was lost, the core strength or the most important asset is still intact.