ఎంతయ్యా ఇవ్వాళ బేరంలో లాభమంటే, ఎరిగినవాడు వెట్టివాడు రాలేదన్నాడట
entayya ivvala beramlo labhamante, eriginavadu vettivadu raledannadata
When asked how much profit was made in the business today, he replied that neither the known person nor the free laborer showed up.
This proverb describes a situation where a business or person survives primarily by exploiting acquaintances or using unpaid labor rather than through actual skill or fair trade. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be successful but is actually just taking advantage of others or lacks a sustainable business model.
Related Phrases
పట్టినవాడు పరిగపిల్ల అంటే, పట్టనివాడు మట్టపిల్ల అన్నాడట.
pattinavadu parigapilla ante, pattanivadu mattapilla annadata.
When the one who caught it said it was a Pariga fish, the one who didn't catch it said it was a Matta fish.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who has no involvement or knowledge in a matter tries to contradict or argue with the person who actually did the work or has firsthand experience. It highlights the tendency of people to offer unwanted and uninformed opinions.
ఇచ్చినవాడు దాత, ఇవ్వనివాడు పాత
ichchinavadu data, ivvanivadu pata
He who gives is a donor, he who does not give is a clout.
This expression highlights that generosity earns a person respect and a lasting legacy. A person who helps others is remembered as a benefactor, whereas someone who is stingy or refuses to help is quickly forgotten or disregarded by society. It is used to encourage charity and reflect on the social value of giving.
The impertinent speech of a beggar.
వ్యాధి వచ్చినవాడు వెట్టి పట్టినవాడు ఒకటి.
vyadhi vachchinavadu vetti pattinavadu okati.
One who is diseased and one who is forced into labor are the same.
This proverb highlights that a person suffering from a disease and a person forced into unpaid manual labor (vetti) share a similar plight—both lose their freedom of will and are under a constant state of suffering or compulsion. It is used to describe situations where a person has no choice but to endure hardship.
వెర్రివాడిని వెర్రివాడు అంటే వెక్కి వెక్కి ఏడ్చాడట
verrivadini verrivadu ante vekki vekki edchadata
When a fool was called a fool, he sobbed and cried.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is offended or hurt by a truth that is obvious to everyone else. It highlights the irony of a person reacting emotionally when their well-known flaws or characteristics are pointed out directly to them.
అగ్నిదేవుడు చలికాలంలో చంటివాడు, ఎండకాలంలో ఎదిగినవాడు.
agnidevudu chalikalamlo chantivadu, endakalamlo ediginavadu.
The Fire God is an infant in winter and a grown man in summer.
This proverb describes the nature of heat and fire across seasons. In winter, fire feels small and gentle like an infant because we seek its warmth, but in summer, even a little heat feels overwhelming and powerful like a grown man, making it difficult to bear.
తమంత లేదంటే, తవ్వెడైనా ఇవ్వమన్నట్లు
tamanta ledante, tavvedaina ivvamannatlu
If you cannot give the whole amount, at least give a small measure (tavva).
This expression is used when someone is unwilling to fulfill a large request and is then asked to at least provide a small, minimal portion. It highlights a compromising attitude where something is considered better than nothing, or mocks someone who settles for a pittance when their original high demand is rejected.
చావ చావడు, చాప ఇవ్వడు
chava chavadu, chapa ivvadu
He neither dies nor gives up the mat.
This expression refers to a person who is neither performing a task nor stepping aside to let someone else do it. It is used to describe a stubborn or obstructive person who occupies a position or resource without being productive, effectively blocking progress for everyone else.
ఆవును అమ్మినవాడు కన్నెతాడు ఇవ్వడా?
avunu amminavadu kannetadu ivvada?
Won't the person who sold the cow also give the leading rope?
This proverb is used when someone completes a major task or makes a significant deal but hesitates or forgets to include a small, essential accessory or minor detail related to it. It implies that when a big commitment is made, the small requirements associated with it should naturally follow.
గొడారిబేరం గొడ్డుకు లాభం.
godariberam godduku labham.
A tanner's bargain is a profit for the cattle.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a bargain or deal is so poor or delayed that it ends up benefiting the subject rather than the parties involved. In the context of a cobbler (godari) bargaining for a dying animal, if the negotiation takes too long, the animal might die naturally or be spared, resulting in no deal. It refers to unproductive negotiations or stingy behavior that results in a loss of opportunity.
బాస తప్పినవాడూ బండ తిరిగినవాడూ ఒకటి
basa tappinavadu banda tiriginavadu okati
A man that breaks his word and a vagrant are alike.
This proverb highlights that a person who fails to keep their word loses their credibility and status. It suggests that breaking a commitment is a sign of an unreliable character, making the person as useless or aimless as someone wasting time circling a rock.