గోడపై సున్నం గోకితే రాదు.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is extremely stingy or miserly. It highlights the futility of trying to use something intended for one purpose (lime used for whitewashing walls) for another more refined purpose (edible lime used in 'paan' or betel leaf preparation) just to save money. It suggests that quality and suitability matter, and being cheap to an extreme is foolish.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. In olden days, slaked lime (sunnam) was used as a basic first-aid to stop bleeding from minor cuts. The saying implies the person is so greedy that they won't even provide a worthless bit of lime to help someone in pain.

A heartless man.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person who refuses to help others even in a dire emergency or for a very small cost. In olden days, lime paste was used as a quick first aid for small cuts; the phrase suggests the person is so greedy they wouldn't even spare a tiny bit of lime to stop someone's bleeding.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where no matter how much effort, flattery, or 'scratching' you do, you cannot get a result from someone who is incapable or unwilling to provide it. It highlights the futility of seeking something from an unproductive source.

This expression describes an act of futility or foolishness. In the past, people chewing betel leaves would need lime (sunnam). It is impossible for a person walking on the ground to reach someone high up on an elephant to ask for or receive lime. It is used to mock someone who makes impractical requests or expects help from people who are physically or socially out of reach at that moment.

This expression describes a situation where someone asks for something very small or insignificant from a person who is in a high position, a hurry, or currently engaged in a much larger, grander task. In the past, people chewing betel leaves would need lime (sunnam), and asking someone atop an elephant to stop just for a pinch of lime is considered impractical and foolish.

This expression is used to describe people who have a temporary or fleeting connection to a place, project, or situation. It implies that transient visitors or those without a permanent stake will not invest effort, time, or resources into improving or maintaining something they do not own or intend to stay with for long.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where no amount of coaxing or effort can produce results from someone who is incapable or unwilling to perform a task. It highlights the futility of expecting outcomes from an unproductive source.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.

This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to perform a very fine or meticulous task backfires, resulting in total destruction or waste of resources. It is used when someone's over-ambition or lack of skill in handling delicate matters leads to a complete mess instead of the intended perfection.