ఏ గుంటలో నీరు ఆ గుంటలోనే ఇంకుతుంది.
e guntalo niru a guntalone inkutundi.
The water in a pit will soak back into the same pit.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where money, resources, or efforts remain within the same circle, family, or system without going outside. It is often applied to business transactions within a family or internal adjustments where there is no net loss or gain to the external world.
Related Phrases
సంధ్య వార్చావా అంటే, ఊరి వెలుపల గుంటలో వార్చాను అన్నాడట; ఆ గుంటలో నీళ్లు లేవు కదా అంటే, చాకలి సుబ్బడు ఉన్నాయని చెప్పాడు అన్నాడట.
sandhya varchava ante, uri velupala guntalo varchanu annadata; a guntalo nillu levu kada ante, chakali subbadu unnayani cheppadu annadata.
When asked if he performed his evening prayers, he said he did them in a pond outside the village; when told there was no water in that pond, he replied that Subbadu the washerman told him there was.
This proverb is used to describe a person who tells a series of lies to cover up their laziness or negligence. Instead of admitting they didn't do the task, they fabricate an elaborate story and cite unreliable witnesses when their lies are questioned. It highlights the absurdity of making excuses for failing to perform basic duties.
ఉచ్చ గుంటలో చేపలు పట్టినట్లు
uchcha guntalo chepalu pattinatlu
Like catching fish in a puddle of urine
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely petty or miserly, or someone who tries to gain profit from very small, insignificant, or even disgusting sources. It highlights a person's narrow-mindedness and their tendency to exploit trivial situations for personal gain.
బూడిద గుంటలో కుక్క
budida guntalo kukka
Like a dog lying in the warm ashes. Keeping quiet for a while, but soon returning to mischief.
This expression is used to describe a person who settles into a comfortable or lazy situation and refuses to move or take up responsibilities. Just as a dog finds warmth in a pit of warm ashes and remains there stubbornly, it refers to someone who is stagnant and indifferent to their surroundings or progress.
వండినంతలోనే కుండకు దొరయగు.
vandinantalone kundaku dorayagu.
Becoming the master of the pot just by cooking it once.
This proverb is used to describe someone who becomes arrogant or acts like an expert immediately after completing a task once or gaining a small amount of experience. It highlights the tendency of some people to overstate their authority or skill without having earned it through long-term effort or mastery.
బురద గుంటలో పడ్డ పేడ పురుగు లాగా.
burada guntalo padda peda purugu laga.
Like a beetle (lit. a cowdung worm) fallen into a mire pit. Said of a man being in an harassing service from which he cannot escape, &c.
This expression describes someone who is hopelessly stuck in a bad situation or a messy problem. Just as a dung beetle struggles to move in sticky mud, it refers to a person who is struggling in vain or is deeply entangled in complications from which they cannot easily escape.
గూట్లో మిరపకాయ గుంటలో బువ్వ
gutlo mirapakaya guntalo buvva
Chili in the niche and food in the pit.
This expression describes a situation where things are ready or easily accessible in their respective places. It is often used to refer to a simple, humble, and satisfied lifestyle where one has the basic necessities (like a bit of spice/chili and a bowl of rice) arranged and ready to be consumed without much fuss.
దాలిగుంటలో కుక్క మాదిరి
daliguntalo kukka madiri
Like a dog in a hearth pit
This expression describes someone who is extremely lazy, stubborn, or settled comfortably in a place they refuse to leave, even if they are in the way. A 'Daligunta' is a pit used for warming or slow-cooking with husks; a dog lying there enjoys the warmth and becomes very reluctant to move.
బురద గుంటలో పంది
burada guntalo pandi
Like a pig in the mire.
This expression is used to describe someone who is in their element or perfectly happy in a situation that others might find dirty, messy, or unpleasant. It can also refer to a person who is lazy and refuses to leave a stagnant or bad situation because they find it comfortable.
దాలిగుంట వారు తామర గుంటకు, తామరగుంట వారు దాలిగుంటకు వచ్చినట్లు
daligunta varu tamara guntaku, tamaragunta varu daliguntaku vachchinatlu
Like people of the ash-pit going to the lotus-pond, and people of the lotus-pond going to the ash-pit.
This expression refers to a situation where two parties exchange places or switch roles, often resulting in both being out of their natural or comfortable element. It describes an unnecessary or mismatched swap where the change doesn't benefit either side, similar to 'the grass is always greener' mentality leading to poor decisions.
బురదగుంటలో పందివలె
buradaguntalo pandivale
Like a pig in a mud pit
This expression is used to describe someone who is deeply wallowing in a bad situation, laziness, or a messy environment with no intention of improving or leaving. It signifies being comfortably stuck in filth or a degraded state.