ఘడియ పురుసత్తు లేదు, గవ్వ సంపాదన లేదు

ghadiya purusattu ledu, gavva sampadana ledu

Translation

Not a moment of leisure, not a penny of earnings

Meaning

This expression describes a situation where a person is extremely busy and constantly working, yet their hard work yields no financial gain or significant results. It is used to mock someone's unproductive busyness or to lament a period of fruitless labor.

Related Phrases

Not even half a minute of free time, yet not even half a cent of earnings.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is constantly busy and overworked but has nothing to show for it financially. It highlights a situation where one's efforts are unproductive or unrewarding, often used to mock someone's inefficient busyness or lack of success despite hard work.

Neither a string nor a top.

This expression is used to describe someone who lacks any ties, responsibilities, or assets. It often refers to a person who is roaming aimlessly without any sense of direction or accountability, or to a situation that is completely disorganized and lacks a proper basis.

Neither invocation nor dismissal.

This expression refers to someone who is indifferent or neutral towards a situation, person, or ritual. It originates from Vedic rituals where a deity is invited (Avahana) and then sent back (Visarjana). It is used to describe a state where one is neither welcoming nor rejecting something, often implying a lack of interest or involvement.

Neither a string nor a top

This expression is used to describe a person who is irresponsible, lacks roots, or has no attachments or accountability. Just as a spinning top cannot be controlled or operated without a string, it refers to someone who is wandering aimlessly or a situation that has no proper foundation or control.

Not a moment of leisure, not a penny of income

This expression is used to describe a person who is constantly busy with work or errands but earns absolutely no profit or meaningful reward from their efforts. It highlights a state of unproductive busyness.

Neither the bite of a frog, nor the blow of a Brahmin.

This expression is used to describe something that is completely harmless or insignificant. Since frogs do not bite and Brahmins (traditionally viewed as non-violent scholars) do not strike, the phrase suggests that there is no danger or impact to worry about from a particular source or situation.

Neither study nor forgetting.

This expression is used to describe someone who is completely ignorant or uneducated. It implies that since the person never learned anything (study) in the first place, there is nothing for them to forget. It highlights a state of total lack of knowledge or intellectual effort.

No invocation, no dismissal.

This expression refers to a state of complete indifference or lack of formal procedure. It is used to describe someone who doesn't follow any rules, doesn't start or finish tasks properly, or remains totally unbothered and detached regardless of the situation or guests arriving/leaving.

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.

Not a moment of leisure, not a penny of income.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely busy and hardworking, yet their efforts yield no financial gain or productive results. It highlights a state of being pointlessly or unprofitably occupied.