పిచ్చోడు ఎగబలికితే, కల్లు గుగ్గిళ్ళు కలబలికినవి

pichchodu egabalikite, kallu guggillu kalabalikinavi

Translation

When the madman boasted, the toddy and boiled grains spoke back.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where an irrational or foolish person makes tall claims or boasts, and others around them start contributing their own nonsensical or exaggerated stories to the conversation. It is used to mock a dialogue where there is no logic, truth, or common sense, and everyone involved is talking nonsense.

Related Phrases

Offering boiled lentils after the horse's bridle is gone.

This expression refers to performing a useless action or offering a remedy after it is too late to be of any benefit. It is used when someone tries to provide resources or solutions after the opportunity has passed or the main asset has been lost.

While the horse was eating boiled grains, the donkey got a stomach ache.

This proverb is used to describe someone who feels jealous or envious of another person's success or good fortune, even when it has nothing to do with them. It mocks the irrational pain or resentment felt by observers when someone else is enjoying a benefit.

In an unlucky time his Kandi wouldn't boil soft.

This proverb describes a situation where everything goes wrong when time is not on your side. It suggests that even simple or familiar things can become difficult, or expectations can turn into unexpected outcomes during an unlucky period. It is used to express how one's misfortune can make even the most basic tasks or situations go awry.

Like selling a horse for boiled grains.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a foolish or lopsided deal, giving away something of high value (a horse) for something of very little value or a temporary craving (boiled grains). It signifies a lack of foresight or poor judgment in business and life decisions.

Boiled grains are a waste for a blind horse.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where high-quality resources or efforts are wasted on something or someone that cannot utilize them effectively. It suggests that providing expensive or premium things (like 'guggillu' or boiled chickpeas) to a blind horse is futile because the horse cannot perform the tasks expected of it, making the investment a loss.

It is the strength of his position, not his own strength.

This proverb implies that an individual's influence or power often comes from the position they hold or the situation they are in, rather than their innate ability. It is used to remind people to stay humble, as their authority might vanish once they leave that specific role or environment.

Must one teach a horse to eat boiled gram ?

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is already an expert or naturally inclined toward a specific task, making instruction redundant. It is often applied to people who are very fond of something or highly skilled at it, implying that they don't need any encouragement or guidance to do what they already love or know how to do.

Teach your grandmother to suck eggs.

Adding incense to the fire.

When a person is already angry the anger is aggravated by indiscreet words.On those occasions, it is wise to be silent; otherwise it would add insult to injury.

They are iron chickpeas, not black gram chickpeas.

This expression is used to describe something that is extremely difficult to achieve, understand, or manage. Just as iron chickpeas are impossible to chew compared to soft boiled black gram, it refers to a task that is 'a hard nut to crack' or a person who is very tough to deal with.

Grains of iron, not of black gram.

This expression is used to describe a task or a subject that is extremely difficult to master, understand, or accomplish. Just as boiled iron pellets are impossible to chew compared to soft boiled black gram, it refers to something that is exceptionally 'tough to swallow' or highly complex.

The pulse spoken of is the Phaseolus Roxburghii. Said of a puzzling passage or a jawbreaking verse.