ఎక్కువగా తిన్న పొట్ట, ఏకుల పెట్టిన బుట్టి చిరగవు
ekkuvaga tinna potta, ekula pettina butti chiragavu
A stomach that has eaten a lot and a basket filled with cotton rolls will not tear.
This proverb suggests that the human stomach and certain containers are surprisingly resilient. It is often used to imply that the body can handle a large meal without literal damage, or more broadly, that things designed for a specific capacity often have a natural elasticity or strength beyond appearances.
Related Phrases
ఏకులు పెడితే బుట్టలు చిరుగునా?
ekulu pedite buttalu chiruguna?
Will the basket tear if you store cotton rolls in it?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a very light task or a small addition is expected to cause a major problem, which is impossible. It is often used sarcastically when someone overreacts to a minor burden or implies that a small effort will lead to exhaustion or damage.
ఏకులు ఉంచితే బుట్ట చిరుగుతుందా?
ekulu unchite butta chirugutunda?
Will a basket be broken by being filled with flocks of cotton ?
This expression is used to highlight when someone is being excessively cautious, fragile, or lazy. Cotton slivers (ekulu) are extremely light; if someone suggests that such a light weight could break a basket, it implies they are making ridiculous excuses to avoid work or are being unnecessarily fearful of a harmless situation.
Ineffectual measures.
తిన్న ఇంటి వాసాలు లెక్కపెట్టినట్లు
tinna inti vasalu lekkapettinatlu
Like counting the rafters of the house where one was fed.
This expression is used to describe an act of extreme ingratitude or treachery. It refers to someone who harms or betrays the very person who helped or sheltered them in their time of need.
మృగశిరలో పెట్టిన పైరు, మీసకట్టున పుట్టిన కొడుకు మేలు.
mrigashiralo pettina pairu, misakattuna puttina koduku melu.
A crop planted during the Mrigashira season and a son born when the father is at the prime of his youth (growing a mustache) are the best.
This proverb highlights the importance of timing. Just as the Mrigashira rain is considered the most auspicious for starting agriculture, a son born when the father is young and capable is considered beneficial for the family's strength and continuity.
కింద పెట్టిన వంటెలుండవు, పైన పెట్టిన బానలుండవు
kinda pettina vantelundavu, paina pettina banalundavu
Camel below will not stay, and the pot on top will not stay.
This proverb is used to describe a highly unstable, mismatched, or precarious situation. It refers to an impossible arrangement where both the foundation (the camel) and the burden (the pot) are restless or ill-suited, leading to inevitable collapse or failure. It is often applied to people who are constantly moving or situations that lack any sense of permanence.
పుంజం పెట్టినది బట్ట, లంచం పెట్టినది మాట.
punjam pettinadi batta, lancham pettinadi mata.
That is a cloth into which Punjam has been put, that is the word into which a bribe has been put. A Punjam is a skein of 60 threads ; the word is here used to signify the proper quantity of thread required for good cloth. The only way of obtaining a good recommendation is to purchase it with a bribe.
This proverb highlights that just as the quality of a cloth depends on the thread count (punjam), the outcome of a conversation or legal matter can be manipulated by bribery. It suggests that truth or promises can be twisted if someone is paid off, implying that a person's word might only hold value because of a bribe rather than integrity.
చాకలి సంతకుపోతే, ఏకులబుట్ట ఎదురుగా పోయిందట
chakali santakupote, ekulabutta eduruga poyindata
When the washerman went to the market, the basket of cotton rolls went against him.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone encounters the very thing they were trying to avoid, or when an unexpected complication arises right when one attempts to start a task. It highlights the irony of bad timing or unavoidable obstacles.
ఏనుగును తెచ్చి ఏకుల బుట్టలో ఉంచి, అది తన నెత్తిన పెట్టి తన్ను ఎత్తుకో అన్నట్టు.
enugunu techchi ekula buttalo unchi, adi tana nettina petti tannu ettuko annattu.
He tells me to put the elephant into the cotton basket, to place the basket on his head, and to lift him up. Ékulabuttā is a very small hand basket. Being asked to do an utter impossibility.
This expression describes a person who creates an impossibly heavy or complicated situation through their own foolish actions and then expects others to help them out of it. It highlights the absurdity of self-created burdens and the unreasonable expectation for others to solve problems that defy logic.
దూల పెట్టేచోట దుడ్డుకోల పెట్టినట్లు
dula pettechota duddukola pettinatlu
Like placing a heavy wooden staff where it itches.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone receives a punishment or a harsh consequence that they practically invited upon themselves through their mischievous or annoying behavior. It implies that a person's 'itch' for trouble was cured by a 'heavy blow' of reality or discipline.
పని తక్కువ, ప్రాకులాట ఎక్కువ
pani takkuva, prakulata ekkuva
Less work, more struggle (fidgeting/hustle)
This proverb is used to describe a person who does very little actual work but makes a huge fuss, creates unnecessary commotion, or tries too hard to appear busy. It characterizes someone who lacks efficiency but excels in pretending to be overwhelmed or ambitious.