గోలుకొండ ఉద్యోగం, గొట్టితోక ఒకటి.
golukonda udyogam, gottitoka okati.
A job in Golconda and the tail of a chameleon are one and the same.
This expression is used to describe extreme job insecurity or temporary positions. Historically, a job in the Golconda Sultanate was considered highly unstable, much like a chameleon's tail which can be shed or lost easily. It signifies that the position can be terminated at any moment without prior notice.
Related Phrases
జీతం, బత్తెం లేని ఉద్యోగం
jitam, battem leni udyogam
A job without salary or allowance
This expression is used to describe a task or responsibility that brings no reward, benefit, or appreciation despite the effort put in. It can also refer to thankless jobs or situations where one works hard for nothing in return.
ఉద్యోగం పురుష లక్షణం, గొడ్డలితేరా నిట్రాడు తెగనరుకుదాము
udyogam purusha lakshanam, goddalitera nitradu teganarukudamu
Employment/Effort is the characteristic of a man; bring the axe, let us chop down the main pillar.
This is a sarcastic or humorous extension of the famous proverb 'Udyogam Purusha Lakshanam' (Effort/Work defines a man). While the first part encourages diligence, the second part depicts a person who, in a misplaced surge of energy or 'motivation,' wants to destroy his own house's main support pillar. It is used to mock someone who shows sudden, reckless, or destructive enthusiasm without any common sense or constructive goal.
ఉద్యోగం గట్టి పడుతుంది ఉన్న పుస్తె తేవే.
udyogam gatti padutundi unna puste teve.
The job is becoming permanent, go bring the marriage locket.
This proverb is used to describe a person who makes premature and extravagant demands based on an uncertain future promise. It specifically refers to someone asking to pawn or use their spouse's sacred marriage locket (Puste) for expenses because they 'believe' a job is about to become permanent, highlighting foolishness and lack of foresight.
పాత ఒక రోత, కొత్త ఒక వింత
pata oka rota, kotta oka vinta
The old is a nuisance, the new is a wonder.
This proverb describes the human tendency to quickly get bored with old, familiar things and become easily fascinated by anything new. It is often used to comment on people who abandon traditions or long-term possessions in favor of the latest trends, or when someone loses interest in something they once valued.
ఉద్యోగికి ఒక ఊరనిలేదు, ముష్టివానికి ఒక ఇల్లనిలేదు
udyogiki oka uraniledu, mushtivaniki oka illaniledu
An employee has no single village; a beggar has no single house.
This proverb highlights that certain roles require constant movement and lack a permanent attachment to one place. An employee must travel or relocate wherever their job demands, and a beggar must move from house to house to survive. It is used to describe situations where a person cannot stay in one fixed location due to the nature of their work or life circumstances.
అన్నదేవర సన్నగిస్తే గోలుకొండకు జాతరే
annadevara sannagiste golukondaku jatare
If the food-god becomes thin, it is a festival for Golconda.
This proverb highlights the grim reality of scarcity. 'Annadevara' refers to the food supply or crops. When crops fail or food becomes scarce (sannagiste), people are forced to sell their belongings or migrate to the city (historically Golconda) to survive, leading to a busy but desperate rush like a festival. It is used to describe situations where one person's misfortune becomes a source of activity or profit for others.
ఊబ నా మగడు ఉండీ ఒకటే లేకా ఒకటి
uba na magadu undi okate leka okati
My husband is a dummy; it's the same whether he is there or not.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is completely useless or ineffective. It implies that their presence provides no benefit, and their absence makes no difference, much like a decorative figure or a person with no initiative.
సాగితే నియోగం, సాగక పోతే చచ్చేయోగం
sagite niyogam, sagaka pote chachcheyogam
If it works out, it is a high-status livelihood; if it does not, it is a path to death.
This proverb describes a high-risk, high-reward situation. It is traditionally used to describe certain professions or ventures that offer great authority and wealth if successful, but lead to absolute ruin or starvation if they fail. It highlights the instability and precarious nature of ambitious pursuits.
ఉద్యోగం పురుష లక్షణం, అది పోతే అవలక్షణం.
udyogam purusha lakshanam, adi pote avalakshanam.
Employment makes the man ; he is a luckless fellow if he lose it.
While the original proverb 'Udyogam Purusha Lakshanam' emphasizes that work/effort defines a person's character and dignity, this extended humorous or sarcastic version suggests that losing one's job or being unemployed is seen as a flaw or a social stigma. It is often used to highlight the societal pressure regarding employment and financial stability.
ఊదరకూడు ఎన్నాళ్ళు ఉద్యోగము ఎన్నాళ్ళు
udarakudu ennallu udyogamu ennallu
How long will the puffed rice last, and how long will the job last?
This proverb is used to describe jobs or situations that are temporary, unstable, or lacking long-term security. Just as eating 'puffed rice' (a light snack) doesn't keep one full for long, some occupations are fleeting and won't provide a permanent livelihood.