గంజి తాగేవానికి మీసాలు ఎగబెట్టేవాడొకడు
ganji tagevaniki misalu egabettevadokadu
For the one drinking gruel, there is another to lift his mustache.
This proverb describes a situation where someone who is already in a miserable or poor state (drinking simple gruel) has an unnecessary assistant or a hanger-on performing a trivial task. It is used to mock people who maintain high airs despite poverty, or to describe having useless assistants when the task at hand is very simple.
Related Phrases
గుడి కట్టే వాడొకడు, గూట్లో దీపం పెట్టే వాడొకడు
gudi katte vadokadu, gutlo dipam pette vadokadu
One person builds the temple, another person places the lamp in the niche.
This proverb describes a situation where one person puts in the hard work and resources to establish something significant, while another person takes over the easier, daily maintenance or claims the credit/benefits. It is used to highlight the disparity between the founder and the beneficiary.
అంబలి తాగేవారికి మీసాలు ఎగబట్టేవారు కొందరా?
ambali tagevariki misalu egabattevaru kondara?
Do people that live on porridge keep men to hold up their mustaches?
This proverb is used to mock people who expect grand assistance or royal treatment while performing simple or lowly tasks. It highlights the irony of someone who is barely managing a basic existence (drinking humble porridge) yet acts so superior or lazy that they need help to keep their mustache out of the bowl.
Said of a poor man trying to appear grand. A proud mind and a poor purse are ill met.
గడించే వాడొకడు, గుణించేవాడొకడు
gadinche vadokadu, guninchevadokadu
One person earns, while another person counts (calculates).
This expression is used to describe a situation where one person works hard to earn wealth or resources, while another person (often someone lazy or opportunistic) takes charge of managing, spending, or calculating that wealth without having contributed to the effort. It highlights the disparity between the laborer and the beneficiary.
తవుడు తినేవానికి మీసాలు ఎగబట్టేవాడొకడు
tavudu tinevaniki misalu egabattevadokadu
For the one who eats bran, there is another to lift his mustache.
This proverb describes a situation where an impoverished person who can barely afford to eat low-quality food (bran) hires or has an assistant to perform a trivial task (lifting his mustache) to maintain a false sense of status. It is used to mock people who show off or maintain unnecessary vanities they cannot afford, or to describe having useless assistants for simple tasks.
అంబలి తాగేవారు కొందరైతే, మీసాలు ఎగబట్టేవారు కొందరు.
ambali tagevaru kondaraite, misalu egabattevaru kondaru.
If some drink the porridge, others lift their moustaches.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person does the actual work or experiences the reality of a situation, while others take the credit or act with false pride/arrogance without contributing anything. It highlights the disparity between those who live simply or do the hard work and those who show off unnecessarily.
అంబలి తాగేవాడికి మీసాలెగబెట్టే వాడొకడా?
ambali tagevadiki misalegabette vadokada?
Does a person drinking porridge need someone else to lift his mustache?
This proverb is used to criticize unnecessary extravagance or dependency. It points out the absurdity of a person who is barely surviving on simple food (porridge) yet employs or expects an assistant for a trivial task like lifting their mustache. It highlights situations where someone has limited means but maintains high pretensions or employs unnecessary help for tasks they should do themselves.
నీళ్లు తాగేవాడికి నిలుకడ లేదు
nillu tagevadiki nilukada ledu
The one who drinks water has no stability.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is restless, indecisive, or constantly on the move. Just as a person drinking water from their hands or a vessel might be in a hurry to finish and move on, it refers to a person who lacks patience or a steady nature.
అంబలి తాగేవాడికి మీసాలు ఎగబట్టేవాడొకడు
ambali tagevadiki misalu egabattevadokadu
One person to lift the mustache for the one drinking porridge.
This proverb is used to mock someone who requires assistance for even the simplest tasks, or to describe a situation where an unnecessary helper is appointed for an insignificant job. It highlights laziness or a display of false prestige where a person wants others to serve them even for basic survival needs.
మూతులు నాకేవాడికి మీసాలెత్తే వాడొకడా?
mutulu nakevadiki misalette vadokada?
Does a person who licks mouths need someone to lift his mustache?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who performs a low, disgusting, or degrading task and yet expects others to serve them or maintain their dignity. It highlights the irony of a person who has already lost their self-respect or status by their actions, but still expects royal treatment or assistance in minor matters.
కోటి తలపడేవాడు ఒకడు, కూర్పులు లెక్కపెట్టేవాడు ఒకడు
koti talapadevadu okadu, kurpulu lekkapettevadu okadu
One person dreams of millions, while another counts the stitches.
This expression describes a situation where there is a massive gap in perspective or scale between two people. While one person is thinking about grand, ambitious goals (millions), the other is obsessively focused on trivial, minute details (stitches). It is used to highlight a lack of coordination or a mismatch in priorities within a task or partnership.