ఎగిరెగిరి దంచినా అంతే కూలి, ఎగరక దంచినా అంతే కూలి.

egiregiri danchina ante kuli, egaraka danchina ante kuli.

Translation

Whether you jump and pound or pound without jumping, the wages are the same.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the end result or reward remains the same regardless of the amount of extra effort, unnecessary drama, or showmanship one puts in. It suggests that working smarter or more calmly is better than exerting unnecessary energy for no additional gain.

Related Phrases

Like jumping and kissing someone else's child as if they were one's own.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes undue credit or feels excessive pride and excitement for something they did not create or achieve themselves. It highlights the absurdity of claiming ownership or being overly enthusiastic about someone else's hard work or success.

The goodness of a son-in-law is like pounding chaff; there is no rice to be found.

This proverb is used to suggest that relying on or over-praising certain people is futile. Just as pounding husks (chaff) yields no grain, expecting significant help or substance from certain individuals (traditionally used in a sarcastic context regarding a son-in-law's utility in a household) is a waste of effort. It represents a situation with no practical benefit or result.

The goodness of a son-in-law and rice from pounding husks do not exist.

This proverb is used to express that certain expectations are futile. Just as one cannot obtain rice by pounding empty husks, one should not expect a son-in-law to be entirely selfless or a permanent asset to the household, as he traditionally belongs to another family. It highlights the inherent limitations or disappointment in relying on something that lacks substance.

The lady who pounded the grain got only what she managed to snack on as her wages.

This proverb describes a situation where someone works extremely hard but receives very little or no formal compensation, having to satisfy themselves with meager, incidental gains. It is used when effort is disproportionate to the reward, or when one's hard work only yields enough for immediate survival.

Why worry about that which has already passed?

This expression is used to advise someone against dwelling on the past or mourning over things that cannot be changed. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'There is no use crying over spilled milk.' It encourages focusing on the future instead of wasting energy on past mistakes or misfortunes.

For the woman who pounded the rice, the grain she ate while doing it is her only wage.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone works hard but receives no formal pay or reward, other than a few minor perks or what they consumed while performing the task. It signifies a lack of proper compensation for labor.

An empty leaf plate jumps up and down, while a full leaf plate stays calm and steady.

This proverb is used to describe human behavior regarding knowledge and wealth. A person with little knowledge or substance often boasts loudly and makes a lot of noise to get attention, whereas a truly wise or wealthy person remains humble, composed, and silent. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Empty vessels make the most noise.'

One bow to the donor who gives, a thousand bows to the miser who stays.

This proverb is used sarcastically to describe the frustration of dealing with a miser. While a donor gives what is asked and moves on, a person who refuses to give (a miser) often stays back and demands more attention, time, or negotiation, ironically requiring more 'bows' or effort to deal with than the generous person.

The metal worker's crunchy bite becomes a hollow sound when pounded.

This proverb describes someone who puts on a tough or boastful exterior but reveals their weakness or emptiness when put under pressure or tested. It is often used to refer to people who talk big but lack substance or resilience.

A leaf full of food stays calm and flat, while an empty leaf flies and flutters about.

This proverb is used to describe human behavior regarding knowledge and wealth. A person who is truly wise or wealthy remains humble and composed, whereas a person with little knowledge or substance tends to show off and boast excessively. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Empty vessels make the most noise'.