గారెలు వండాలె పెళ్ళామా అంటే వేలు చూపినట్లు
garelu vandale pellama ante velu chupinatlu
When asked to cook Vada (Garelu), showing a finger instead.
This expression describes a situation where someone gives a vague, dismissive, or minimal response when asked to perform a significant task. It refers to a person who avoids responsibility or work by making a simple gesture instead of actually putting in the effort required. It is used to mock laziness or unhelpful behavior.
Related Phrases
కక్క తింటే, గారెలు చేదంట.
kakka tinte, garelu chedanta.
If one eats vomit, even vadas (garelu) will taste bitter.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their sense of appreciation or value due to poor habits or bad company. It suggests that when someone is accustomed to something foul or inferior, they cannot enjoy or recognize the quality of something good. It is often used to mock someone who complains about good things after indulging in something bad.
ఏనుగుకు సిళ్ళు చూపినట్లు
enuguku sillu chupinatlu
Like showing teats to an elephant.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers something insignificantly small or inadequate to someone with vast needs or great capacity. Just as an elephant requires a massive amount of food to be satisfied, showing it small teats (symbolizing a tiny portion) is useless and mocking.
పాముకు బదనిక చూపినట్లు
pamuku badanika chupinatlu
Like showing a parasitic plant (Badanika) to a snake.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is instantly terrified or completely subdued by a specific threat or person. In Telugu folklore, it is believed that snakes are extremely fearful of the 'Badanika' (a type of parasitic plant) and become paralyzed or helpless when shown it. It signifies a weakness or a 'kryptonite' that brings an immediate stop to someone's aggressive behavior.
కడుపు నిండిన వాడికి గారెలు చేదు
kadupu nindina vadiki garelu chedu
To a person with a full stomach, even vadas (sweets/savories) taste bitter.
This proverb describes how a person's needs and desires change based on their current state. When someone is satisfied or has plenty, they no longer value things that are otherwise considered precious or delicious. It is used to remark on people who show lack of interest or find faults in something good because they are already satiated or over-privileged.
ఇంట్లో ఇల్లాలు లేదంటే పెళ్ళామా అని పిలిచాడట
intlo illalu ledante pellama ani pilichadata
When told the housewife is not at home, he reportedly called out 'Wife!'
This proverb is used to mock someone's foolishness or lack of common sense. It describes a situation where a person is told a fact using one word (housewife/illalu) but fails to understand it until the exact same concept is repeated using a synonym (wife/pellama). It refers to people who don't grasp the essence of a situation despite clear information.
పంచపాండవులు మంచం కోళ్లవలె ముగ్గురు అంటారేగాని, యిద్దరే అని వక వేలు చూపినాడట.
panchapandavulu mancham kollavale mugguru antaregani, yiddare ani vaka velu chupinadata.
"The five Pândavas they say are three like the legs of a bed, but there are only two," said he, showing one finger. Said of a stupid accountant.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic knowledge or consistency. It depicts someone so confused or ignorant that they contradict themselves multiple times in a single statement—stating the Pandavas (who are five) are three like cot legs (which are four), and then holding up one finger to indicate two. It is used to mock utter stupidity or a complete lack of logic.
కడుపు నిండినవానికి గారెలు చేదు
kadupu nindinavaniki garelu chedu
Cakes are bitter to a man with his belly full. A rich man will not care for trifling gains.
When someone is satisfied or has had too much of something, even the most delicious or valuable things lose their appeal and become undesirable. It is used to describe how a person's needs or state of mind dictate their appreciation of a luxury or favor.
దున్నే వాడికి లేళ్లని చూపించినట్టు
dunne vadiki lellani chupinchinattu
Like pointing out antelope to ploughers. Diverting the attention of people from their work.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is distracted from their hard work or duty by something enticing but irrelevant. It highlights how easily a person can be diverted from a laborious task (plowing) by a fleeting or useless attraction (chasing deer).
వేలు చూపించి ఉట్టిది అనిపించుకున్నట్లు
velu chupinchi uttidi anipinchukunnatlu
Pointing the finger and coming off worst.
This expression describes a situation where someone's attempt to help or point something out results in them being wrongly blamed or criticized. It is used when an innocent action leads to an unnecessary negative reputation or misunderstanding.
Said of a man who accuses another without being able to sub- stantiate his allegations.
ఇంటివారు వేలు చూపితే, బయటివారు కాలు చూపుతారు
intivaru velu chupite, bayativaru kalu chuputaru
If the members of your family point their fingers at you, the outsiders will point their legs.
This proverb highlights that if family members disrespect or expose the weaknesses of their own kin, outsiders will feel emboldened to treat them with even greater contempt or cause more significant harm. It emphasizes the importance of family unity and loyalty in maintaining social standing.