ఎత్తులకు ఏరుపడితే, నెత్తికుంపటి అయిందట.
ettulaku erupadite, nettikumpati ayindata.
When a stream formed for the mounds, it became a brazier on the head.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a solution intended to solve a problem or provide relief actually creates a much larger, more painful burden. It signifies a remedy that is worse than the original disease.
Related Phrases
కోడి కూయకపోతే తెల్లవారదా?
kodi kuyakapote tellavarada?
Will the sun not rise if the rooster does not crow?
This proverb is used to humble someone who thinks they are indispensable. It suggests that the world will continue to function and progress even without a specific person's involvement or presence. It highlights that natural laws and necessary events are not dependent on any single individual.
అయ్య దాసర్లకు పెడితే, అమ్మ జంగాలకు పెట్టిందట
ayya dasarlaku pedite, amma jangalaku pettindata
While the father gave to the Dasaris, the mother gave to the Jangams.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a husband and wife (or two people in charge) are both overly generous or spendthrift in different ways, leading to the depletion of their resources. It highlights a lack of coordination or mutual recklessness in managing household wealth or assets.
గుండెల మీద కుంపటి
gundela mida kumpati
A brazier (hot coal stove) on one's chest
This expression is used to describe a heavy burden, a constant source of anxiety, or a troublesome person/situation that causes continuous mental agony and stress. It signifies a problem that is impossible to ignore and painful to endure.
వడికిందంతా పత్తి అయినట్లు
vadikindanta patti ayinatlu
As if everything spun became cotton again.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of hard work or effort results in zero progress, or when things return to their original raw state despite the labor put in. It signifies wasted effort or a futile exercise where the end product is no better than the starting material.
ఆర్భాటానికి ఆరు కుంపట్లు, వండడానికి ఒక దుంప లేదు.
arbhataniki aru kumpatlu, vandadaniki oka dumpa ledu.
Six chafing dishes and a fire of roots were the cause of the uproar.
This proverb describes a situation where there is a lot of pomp, show, or preparation, but the actual substance or result is zero. It is used to mock people who make grand arrangements or boast loudly without having the basic resources or achieving any real outcome.
మడికి మంద, చేనుకు ఎరుపు.
madiki manda, chenuku erupu.
A herd for the wetland, red soil/manure for the field.
This proverb highlights traditional agricultural wisdom. It means that to get a good yield, a paddy field (wetland) needs the natural fertilization provided by a herd of cattle staying on it, while dry crop fields require proper soil enrichment or manuring. It is used to emphasize that different tasks or situations require specific, appropriate treatments to succeed.
మాటలకు మల్లి, చేతలకు ఎల్లి
matalaku malli, chetalaku elli
Malli for words, Elli for deeds
This proverb describes someone who is very vocal, boastful, or makes grand promises (Malli) but is completely absent or disappears when it comes time to actually do the work (Elli). It is used to criticize people who talk a lot but never follow through with action.
వెట్టికి పుట్టిన బిడ్డ నెత్తికి లేక ఏడ్చినదట
vettiki puttina bidda nettiki leka edchinadata
A child born where there was no love [ between the parents ] suffered for want [ of oil ] for its head.
This proverb is used to describe an unrealistic or greedy expectation. When someone is already in a state of extreme poverty or performing forced unpaid labor (vetti), expecting luxuries or even basic comforts is seen as ironic or foolish. It highlights the contradiction of seeking extras when the fundamental situation is dire.
వెట్టికి పుట్టిన బిడ్డ నెత్తికి లేక పుట్టిందట
vettiki puttina bidda nettiki leka puttindata
A child born of forced labor was born without a head.
This proverb describes a situation where an outcome or a product is flawed or incomplete because it was done without interest, enthusiasm, or proper compensation (forced labor). It is used to mock work that is done carelessly or results that are useless due to a lack of effort.
అపనింద అవతలపోతే, నిందవచ్చి నెత్తిన పడ్డది.
apaninda avatalapote, nindavachchi nettina paddadi.
When the false accusation went away, a real accusation came and fell on the head.
This proverb describes a situation where a person, while trying to escape or clear themselves of a false blame or minor problem, gets entangled in a much more serious or direct accusation. It is used when someone's troubles seem never-ending or when a situation shifts from bad to worse.