ఏతాం పాటకు ఎదురు పాట లేదు
etam pataku eduru pata ledu
There is no rival song to the Étam song. The song of drawers of water is not composed according to the rules of music and cannot be compared with any other.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is no argument, alternative, or response possible against a certain fact or a person's authority. Just as the rhythmic chant of a farmer operating an 'Etam' (a traditional water-lifting device) is continuous and rhythmic without a secondary singer to answer it, this phrase highlights something that is final, undisputed, or lacks a match.
Related Phrases
దంపుళ్ళ పాటకు దరిద్రం లేదు
dampulla pataku daridram ledu
There is no dearth of songs during the pounding of grain.
This expression describes a situation where there is an endless supply of something, often referring to talkativeness or irrelevant commentary. Just as people used to sing continuous, rhythmic folk songs to pass the time while manually pounding grain, it is used to describe someone who keeps talking or producing content without much effort or thought.
గోచిపాతకు మించిన దరిద్రం లేదు
gochipataku minchina daridram ledu
There is no poverty greater than wearing a loincloth.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme or absolute poverty where one possesses nothing but the barest minimum of clothing (a loincloth). It highlights the lowest point of financial or material destitution.
కుమ్ము చెప్పుకొనేటందుకు గూడూరు పోతే, యేడు వూళ్ల కుమ్ము యెదురుగా వచ్చినది.
kummu cheppukonetanduku guduru pote, yedu vulla kummu yeduruga vachchinadi.
When he went to Gûdûr to tell of his misfortune, the mis- fortune of seven villages met him. Whither goest thou, Misfortune? To where there is more. (Spanish.)
This proverb describes a situation where a person seeks help or relief from their troubles by going to someone else, only to find that the other person is in much deeper trouble than themselves. It is used when one's attempts to escape a problem lead to even greater difficulties or when finding that the grass is not greener on the other side.
ఏతాము పాటకు ఎదురు పాటలేదు.
etamu pataku eduru pataledu.
There is no counter-song to the song of the Etam.
An 'Etam' is a traditional water-lifting device used in ancient irrigation. The singing associated with this rhythmic labor is unique and continuous. This expression is used to describe something that is incomparable, peerless, or an argument/statement so definitive that there is no possible rebuttal or equivalent response.
కత్తికి ఎదురు లేదు, మాటకు తిరుగులేదు.
kattiki eduru ledu, mataku tiruguledu.
No one can face the sword, and there is no turning back on the word.
This expression is used to describe a person of great power and unwavering integrity. It implies that the person is physically invincible or authoritative (the sword) and that they are exceptionally honorable, always keeping their promises and never retracting what they have said (the word).
కట్టను పాతకొయ్య, తాగను పాతనీరు, నమ్మను పాత స్నేహితుడు, చదువను పాత పుస్తకాలు శ్రేష్టములు.
kattanu patakoyya, taganu pataniru, nammanu pata snehitudu, chaduvanu pata pustakalu shreshtamulu.
Old wood for burning, old water for drinking, old friends for trusting, and old books for reading are the best.
This proverb highlights the value of experience, reliability, and time-tested quality. Just as old wood burns better and aged water is settled, long-standing friendships are the most trustworthy and classic books contain timeless wisdom.
తాటి పట్టెకు ఎదురు దేకినట్లు
tati patteku eduru dekinatlu
Like sliding on a palmyra beam, against the grain. The bark of the Palmyra is scaly and rugged. Injuring one's self by perverse conduct.
This expression describes an act that is self-destructive or painfully counterproductive. Just as the bark/surface of a palm tree has sharp, downward-facing scales that would severely injure someone crawling upward against them, this refers to a person who knowingly takes a path or opposes someone in a way that will only result in their own harm.
నాడు కట్టా లేదు, నేడు చించా లేదు.
nadu katta ledu, nedu chincha ledu.
Neither on that day did I put it on, nor on this day have I torn it.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is consistently lazy, indifferent, or irresponsible. It refers to a person who didn't take the effort to wear/tie a garment properly in the past and doesn't bother about it being torn or ruined in the present. It characterizes a state of having no cares, no progress, and no sense of responsibility regardless of the time or situation.
Said by a poor fellow who had never had the pleasure of putting on a good cloth or the annoyance of tearing it.
చింత లేదు, చింత లేకపోతే పులుసు లేదు.
chinta ledu, chinta lekapote pulusu ledu.
"No matter" said one, "Then if there's no tamarind, there's no acid" said the other. There is here a pun upon the word Chinta which means both "thought, sorrow" and also "tamarinds."
This is a pun on the Telugu word 'Chinta' which means both 'worry' and 'tamarind'. It is used humorously to describe a situation where someone says they have no worries, but in reality, they are missing a basic necessity or the very thing that gives life flavor. It highlights that being completely free of 'concerns' might sometimes mean lacking something essential.
యథార్థమునకు ఏడు చుట్లు అక్కర లేదు
yatharthamunaku edu chutlu akkara ledu
For the truth seven twists are not required. When you tell the truth you can be outspoken. Truth seeks no corners. (Lalla.)
This proverb implies that truth is simple and direct. It does not require complex explanations, justifications, or evasive storytelling to be understood or proven, unlike a lie which needs many layers of fabrication to be sustained.