ఎంగిలి చేత్తో కాకికి కూడా మెతుకు విదల్చడు

This traditional proverb reflects historical gender roles and social hierarchies. It suggests that a man's life or contribution is seen as substantial and central (a bowl full of food), while a woman's life is often perceived as supplementary or less significant (a single grain in liquid). It is used to describe the disparity in how society values the lives and roles of men and women.

This proverb describes an extreme miser. It refers to someone so stingy that they wouldn't even flick a grain of rice from their hand to scare away a crow (because they don't want to lose even a tiny bit of food). It is used to mock people who are known to be uncharitable and selfish.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to fix or undo something that is already broken, finished, or irreversibly changed in a way that is unnatural or futile. It refers to the impossible task of making a cut leaf part of the living tree again.

This expression refers to someone who is extremely stingy or miserly. It describes a person who does not even eat properly (to avoid spending) nor do they ever offer a single morsel of food to others. It is used to criticize someone's lack of charity and their extreme parsimony.

The suggestion is that for the parents the ugly child is not ugly but very lovable. It is the unbounded love of parents for their offspring that is highlighted here.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely generous or charitable. It implies that as soon as they have something, they give it away to others without hesitation, leaving nothing 'soiled' or 'lingering' for themselves.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers a benefit, gift, or salary increase, but simultaneously takes it away or cancels its value through another action, tax, or hidden condition. It signifies a deceptive or meaningless gesture of generosity.

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It implies that every action, especially a bad one, has an inevitable consequence that one must face personally in the future. It is used to describe the law of karma or poetic justice.

This proverb refers to finding a place or a group that welcomes those who have been cast out or have abandoned their previous lives. Historically, Vidavalur (a village in Nellore) was metaphorically cited as a refuge for destitute or runaway women. In a broader sense, it suggests that there is always a specific gathering spot or a common destination for people of a similar unfortunate or unconventional status.

This proverb suggests that one should only engage with equals. Whether you are forming a family relationship through marriage or entering into a conflict/rivalry, both parties should be of similar status, strength, or caliber for it to be appropriate or fair.