ఏమి పోలిశెట్టి అంటే, ఎప్పటి మొత్తుకోళ్ళే అన్నాడట

emi polishetti ante, eppati mottukolle annadata

Translation

When asked 'How are things, Polisetti?', he replied 'The same old lamentations'.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time. It refers to people who are chronically pessimistic or situations where problems persist indefinitely without any improvement, much like someone who always responds with complaints regardless of when they are asked.

Related Phrases

Like beating one's mouth (lamentation) with a maimed hand. Doing any thing clumsily.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply frustrated or grieving but is unable to effectively express their pain or do anything about it. It signifies a state of utter helplessness where even one's attempts to lament are ineffective or incomplete due to a lack of resources or capability.

Even if ruined, a merchant is still a merchant; even if torn, silk is still silk.

This proverb highlights that quality, status, or inherent value remains even during times of adversity or decline. It is used to describe a person who maintains their dignity, standards, or importance even after losing their wealth or power.

When asked, 'Girl, girl, how long will your luxury last?', she replied, 'Until my mother-in-law returns from the village hamlet.'

This proverb is used to describe a temporary or fleeting sense of authority or enjoyment. It refers to someone who acts like they are in charge or lives in luxury only because the real person of authority (like a mother-in-law in traditional households) is temporarily away. It highlights the short-lived nature of power gained in someone else's absence.

Senseless howlings O Muttaima Seṭṭi! Said of people wrangling without reason.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone continues to behave stubbornly or foolishly despite repeated warnings or advice. It implies that no matter how much one protests or 'beats their head' in frustration, the other person remains unchanged or indifferent.

When he claimed to be a merchant, he sold only three measures of grain.

This expression is used to mock someone who boasts about their greatness or skills but fails to deliver even a small result. It highlights the gap between grand claims and mediocre performance.

One said to a wife "O Pôli, Pôli, how long will you enjoy yourself?" "Till my mother-in-law comes back from the Pariah quarter" she replied. When the cat's away the mice play.

This proverb describes a situation where someone enjoys temporary authority, luxury, or freedom only because the person who actually holds the power is away. It is used to mock people who act important or bossy during a brief period of unsupervised time, knowing well that their 'reign' will end the moment their superior returns.

When asked 'What's the status, Kota?', he replied 'The same old game'.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time or changing circumstances. It signifies stagnation, a lack of progress, or someone sticking to their old, often repetitive or unproductive ways.

When Pôlisetti was asked how he was getting on, he replied "I am in trouble as usual."

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time. It refers to people who are chronic complainers or situations where, no matter when you check in, the problems and grievances remain exactly the same as before.

Lifting the burden and then beating one's chest in grief.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone voluntarily takes on a responsibility or burden and then complains or laments about the difficulty and stress it causes. It highlights the irony of self-inflicted hardship.

When told 'May you live for a hundred years', she replied 'One is enough'.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely cynical, pessimistic, or lacks the will to live/enjoy life. It highlights a situation where someone rejects a great blessing or a positive wish with a sarcastic or hopeless remark, essentially 'killing the vibe' or showing extreme dissatisfaction.