ఎంచబోతే మంచమెల్లా కంతలే
enchabote manchamella kantale
If you begin to count, you will find the whole cot full of holes.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where, upon closer inspection, something is found to be completely full of flaws or defects. It suggests that if you start looking for faults in a person or a system, you will find so many that it becomes impossible to fix or manage. It is similar to the English idea of something being 'riddled with holes' or 'beyond repair'.
Referring to a bed made of plaited rope. When a man wishes to find fault, he loses no opportunities. When love fails we espy all faults.
Related Phrases
లంచం లేనిదే మంచమెక్కదు
lancham lenide manchamekkadu
Without a bribe, one cannot even get onto the bed.
This expression is used to highlight extreme corruption. It suggests that nothing, even the most basic or essential action, can be accomplished without paying a bribe. It is typically used when criticizing a system where illegal gratification has become mandatory for every step of a process.
కీడెంచి మేలెంచమన్నారు
kidenchi melenchamannaru
Think of the harm first and then of good.
This is a suggestion: think of the harm first and then only of the good that may ensue. It is always safe to anticipate problems during the execution of a plan of action, instead of getting stumped later on.
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
మంచం కింద మంత్రసాని, మంచం పైన దొంగచూలాలు
mancham kinda mantrasani, mancham paina dongachulalu
The midwife is under the bed, while the woman pretending to be pregnant is on the bed.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to deceive others with a lie, but they are doing so in the presence of someone who knows the absolute truth. It highlights the futility of trying to trick an expert or an eyewitness who is already aware of the reality.
మంచివాడు మంచివాడంటే, మంచమంతా కంతలు చేసినాడు.
manchivadu manchivadante, manchamanta kantalu chesinadu.
When called a good man, he made holes all over the cot.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes undue advantage of the praise or kindness shown to them. It refers to people who, when trusted or given freedom due to their 'good' reputation, end up causing damage or acting irresponsibly. It is used to caution against blind trust or to describe someone who lacks common sense despite being called 'good'.
కుంచమంత కూతురుంటే మంచంమీదే కూడు.
kunchamanta kuturunte manchammide kudu.
If you have a daughter as small as a grain measure, you will have food right on your bed.
This proverb highlights the traditional value of having a daughter in the household. It suggests that once a daughter grows up enough to help with chores, she will take care of her parents' needs so diligently that they won't even have to get off their bed to be fed. It reflects the affectionate and caring nature attributed to daughters in Indian culture.
కంచం పొత్తేగాని, మంచం పొత్తులేదు
kancham pottegani, mancham pottuledu
Dining plates may be shared, but the bed is not shared.
This expression is used to describe a relationship between people (often relatives or friends) who are close enough to eat together or share a meal, but are not close enough to share a household, intimate secrets, or a marital bond. It highlights the boundaries of social intimacy and the distinction between formal friendship and private life.
కంచం పొత్తేగాని మంచం పొత్తు లేదు
kancham pottegani mancham pottu ledu
Shared plate but not a shared bed.
This expression describes a relationship where people are close enough to eat together or share social meals, but do not share a deep, private, or familial intimacy. It is often used to define the boundaries of a friendship or a formal association where one's private life remains separate.
లంచమిస్తేగాని మంచమెక్కదు.
lanchamistegani manchamekkadu.
It won't get on the bed unless a bribe is given.
This expression is used to describe an extreme state of corruption where nothing moves or functions without a bribe. It satirically suggests that even a basic or inanimate object requires a payoff to perform its duty.
మంచివాడు మంచివాడంటే, మంచమెక్కి గంతులు వేశాడటా.
manchivadu manchivadante, manchamekki gantulu veshadata.
When he was called a good man, he jumped onto the cot and started leaping.
This expression is used to describe someone who takes undue advantage of others' kindness or praise. It refers to a person who, when treated with respect or leniency, behaves recklessly or exceeds their boundaries due to overconfidence or lack of discipline.