ఎద్దువలె తిని మొద్దువలె నిద్రపోయినట్టు
edduvale tini modduvale nidrapoyinattu
He eats like a bullock, and sleeps like a log.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy or unproductive. It refers to someone who spends their entire time eating heavily and then sleeping soundly without doing any work or showing any responsibility.
Related Phrases
కొండవలె వచ్చి, బెండువలె తేలినట్లు
kondavale vachchi, benduvale telinatlu
Coming like a mountain and ending up like a piece of cork.
This expression describes a situation or problem that initially appeared massive, daunting, or overwhelming (like a mountain) but turned out to be insignificant, trivial, or easily resolved (like light cork) in the end. It is often used to describe anticlimactic events or when a big threat fizzles out into nothing.
తుమ్మ దుడ్డువలె, కాపు కదురువలె.
tumma dudduvale, kapu kaduruvale.
The acacia tree like a heavy stick, the farmer like a spindle.
This proverb describes a situation where things are contrary to their ideal state or nature. Just as a piece of wood from an acacia tree (known for being thorny and crooked) is expected to be a heavy club, and a farmer (expected to be sturdy) looks thin like a spinning spindle, it refers to something being misshapen, ill-suited, or physically weakened.
చింత లేనమ్మ సంతలో నిద్రపోయిందట
chinta lenamma santalo nidrapoyindata
The woman with no worries slept in the marketplace.
This proverb describes a state of absolute peace of mind. When a person is free from anxieties, burdens, or guilt, they can sleep soundly anywhere, even in a noisy and chaotic environment like a busy marketplace. It is used to highlight that mental peace is the key to rest.
కొండవలె వచ్చి మంచువలె తేలినట్లు
kondavale vachchi manchuvale telinatlu
Coming like a mountain and dissolving like mist.
This expression is used to describe a situation or problem that initially appears massive, overwhelming, or extremely dangerous, but eventually resolves itself easily or disappears without causing any significant impact. It is similar to the English phrase 'much ado about nothing' or describes a threat that turns out to be harmless.
తొత్తువలె పాటుపడి, దొరవలె తినవలెను.
tottuvale patupadi, doravale tinavalenu.
One must work like a slut and eat like a gentleman.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the reward of hard work. It suggests that one should work with extreme humility and diligence (like a servant) in order to eventually enjoy a life of luxury and comfort (like a master/lord). It is used to encourage someone to put in hard effort now for a better future.
ఎద్దులా ఉన్నావు, తేలు మంత్రం తెలియదా?
eddula unnavu, telu mantram teliyada?
You are as big as an ox, don't you even know a scorpion spell?
This expression is used to mock someone who is physically large or grown-up but lacks basic common sense or simple skills. It highlights the irony of having a big stature while being incompetent in trivial matters.
సూదివలె వచ్చి దబ్బనమువలె తేలినట్టు
sudivale vachchi dabbanamuvale telinattu
Coming like a needle and turning out a packing needle. The reverse of No. 688 q. v.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something starts very small, modest, or harmless (like a tiny needle) but eventually grows into something large, intrusive, or problematic (like a thick bodkin/large needle). It is often used to refer to people who enter one's life humbly but end up becoming a major burden or dominating the space.
నిద్రపోయే వాడి కాళ్లకు మొక్కినట్టు
nidrapoye vadi kallaku mokkinattu
Like falling at the feet of a sleeping man. Useless endeavours at a wrong time.
This expression describes a situation where an action is completely futile or pointless because the recipient is unaware or unable to respond. It is used when someone seeks help or expresses gratitude to someone who is indifferent, incapable of understanding, or inattentive, rendering the effort wasted.
కొండ వలె వచ్చి మంచు వలె తేలినట్టు
konda vale vachchi manchu vale telinattu
Coming like a mountain, and melting away like dew.
This expression is used to describe a situation or problem that initially appeared to be massive, overwhelming, and insurmountable (like a mountain), but eventually resolved itself easily or vanished without much effort (like mist/dew melting away). It is often used to express relief after a major scare.
Said of a difficulty which appears great when distant but is easily overcome when grappled with.
ఏరు నిద్ర పోయినట్టు
eru nidra poyinattu
As the river sleeps. Smooth waters run deep. There is no worse water than that which sleeps. ( French. )
This expression is used to describe a person who appears very calm, innocent, or silent on the surface but possesses great depth, hidden strength, or potential danger. Just as a river looks still while having a powerful current underneath, it refers to someone whose true intentions or capabilities are not immediately visible.