ఎందులో పెట్టినా ఎడారే
endulo pettina edare
No matter where it is placed, it is a desert
This expression refers to someone who is consistently unlucky or unsuccessful regardless of the field or situation they are in. It describes a streak of bad luck where every venture turns into a failure, much like how nothing grows in a desert.
Related Phrases
గోడకు పెట్టిన సున్నమూ, లంజకు పెట్టిన సొమ్మూ
godaku pettina sunnamu, lanjaku pettina sommu
Lime put on a wall, money given to a harlot. No return.
This proverb describes a situation where resources (money or effort) are spent with no possibility of recovery or return. Just as you cannot retrieve whitewash once it is applied to a wall, money spent on fleeting, unproductive pleasures or given to unreliable people is gone forever. It is used to warn someone about wasteful expenditure.
అల్లుడికి పెట్టిన పెట్టు కొడుకు పెట్టి కోలుపోయిందట
alludiki pettina pettu koduku petti kolupoyindata
Investing in the son-in-law led to the loss of the investment intended for the son.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes an outsider or a distant relative over their own family, only to end up losing everything. It highlights the folly of misplaced priorities and the resulting regret when a primary responsibility is neglected for a secondary one.
అవసరానికి ఆకులో పెట్టు, నాకు నేలను పెట్టు.
avasaraniki akulo pettu, naku nelanu pettu.
Give the man who is in a hurry his food on a leaf, but give me mine on the floor. The food of Hindus is ordinarily served on a large leaf or several small leaves sewn together. Applied to a person wishing to have something done for himself in great haste, before others are attended to.
This proverb highlights the fickle nature of selfish people who seek help only when they are in need. It describes a situation where someone treats you with respect (serving on a leaf) when they want something from you, but treats you with disregard (serving on the floor) once their need is met.
అన్నం పెట్టినవారింటికి కన్నము పెట్టినట్లు
annam pettinavarintiki kannamu pettinatlu
Like breaking into the house of the person who fed you.
This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.
ఎందులో పుట్టిన పురుగు, అందులోనే చస్తుంది.
endulo puttina purugu, andulone chastundi.
The insect dies in the same place where it was born.
This expression is used to describe a person who is deeply attached to their place of origin, a specific habit, or a particular situation and remains there until the very end, despite better opportunities or the need for change. It signifies that one eventually perishes in the environment or lifestyle they are accustomed to.
కట్టిన ఇల్లు, పెట్టిన పొయ్యి
kattina illu, pettina poyyi
A house that is already built, and a hearth that is already set up.
This expression refers to entering a situation where everything is already perfectly prepared and ready for use without any effort from the person joining. It is most commonly used in the context of a bride entering a well-established household where she does not have to struggle to set up a new life or home from scratch.
ఆలిని అదుపులో పెట్టలేనివాడు, అందరినీ అదుపులో పెట్టునా?
alini adupulo pettalenivadu, andarini adupulo pettuna?
One who cannot keep his wife in control, can he control everyone else?
This proverb suggests that if a person cannot manage their own domestic affairs or immediate responsibilities, they are unlikely to be capable of leading or controlling a larger group of people. It is used to mock the leadership claims of those who lack discipline in their personal lives.
ఆరుద్రలో వేసిన ఆరికా, ఆకులో పెట్టిన అన్నము ఒకటే.
arudralo vesina arika, akulo pettina annamu okate.
Sowing seeds during Arudra Karthi is as certain as rice served on a leaf.
Arudra is a specific astrological period (Karthi) considered extremely auspicious and reliable for agriculture in Telugu culture. This proverb suggests that seeds sown during this time are guaranteed to yield a harvest, just as food served on a plate is guaranteed to be eaten. It is used to emphasize certainty, reliability, and the importance of timing.
ఎత్తుక తిన్నవాణ్ణి పొత్తులో పెట్టుకుంటే, అంతా తీసి బొంతలో పెట్టుకున్నాడట
ettuka tinnavanni pottulo pettukunte, anta tisi bontalo pettukunnadata
When a thief who steals and eats was taken as a partner, he stole everything and hid it in his bundle.
This proverb warns against trusting a person with a known history of dishonesty or theft. It implies that if you enter into a partnership or trust someone who is habitually untrustworthy, you shouldn't be surprised when they eventually betray you or steal your belongings. It is used to describe situations where someone suffers a loss due to their own poor judgment in choosing associates.
చూరులో నిప్పుపెట్టి, కొప్పలో పెట్టనా అన్నట్లు
churulo nippupetti, koppalo pettana annatlu
Setting fire to the eaves and asking if I should set fire to the hair bun too.
This expression describes a person who has already caused significant damage or committed a grave error and then asks for permission or guidance to do something even worse. It is used to mock people who act innocently after being intentionally destructive or those who lack common sense regarding the magnitude of their mistakes.