ఎవరు ఏమి చేసినా ఇంటికి ఆలి అవుతుందా, దొంతికి కడవ అవుతుందా?

This expression is used to convey that superficial preparations or external appearances do not equate to the actual occurrence of a major event. It implies that just because you have started the basic groundwork, it doesn't mean the grand result is guaranteed or complete. It is often used to caution someone against premature celebration or oversimplification of a complex task.

This expression is used to describe a person who speaks with clever ambiguity or doublespeak. Their words are crafted in such a way that they can be interpreted in two completely different ways depending on the outcome, allowing them to claim they were right regardless of what happens.

This proverb is used to say that outsiders or guests can never replace the core, essential members of a household or the fundamental components of a system. Just as a temporary visitor cannot take the place of a wife in managing a home, or a random vessel cannot replace the foundational pot (kadava) in a traditional stack (donti), some roles are unique and irreplaceable.

This expression is used to describe a situation that starts as a minor issue but escalates into a major problem, or when someone exaggerates a tiny matter into something significant. It is similar to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.

This proverb describes a 'catch-22' or a dilemma where a person is stuck between two bad options. It is used when pointing out a mistake might lead to public embarrassment or unwanted drama (aaradi), but staying silent might lead others to take one's patience for granted or treat them with disrespect (alusu).

This expression means that a person's inherent nature, character, or lack of skill cannot be changed simply by external actions, rituals, or by changing their environment. It is used to suggest that superficial changes do not alter one's true identity or capabilities.

This expression is used to convey extreme skepticism or to dismiss an idea as impossible. It suggests that just as a crow can never transform into a melodious cuckoo, certain unrealistic dreams or expectations will never manifest into reality. It is often used to ground someone who is being overly idealistic or delusional.

This expression is used to describe someone or something that is completely useless or fails to serve any intended purpose. Just as a woman who doesn't care for the home isn't a true housewife, and a broken or ill-fitting pot cannot be part of a stack (donthi), a person who lacks utility in their designated role is described this way.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to express the idea that things have an inherent nature or status that cannot be changed. It suggests that a substitute or an informal arrangement can never truly replace or equate to the original, formal, or sanctified version of something. It is often used to emphasize that some boundaries or social roles are permanent.

This proverb is used to point out that superficial preparation or mere external changes do not equate to the actual completion of a task or the arrival of a significant event. Just as a festival requires rituals, food, and celebration beyond just cleaning the floor, success requires hard work beyond just the initial setup.