గుట్టాన్ని గుగ్గిళ్ళకు అమ్మినట్లు.

guttanni guggillaku amminatlu.

Translation

Like selling a horse for boiled grains.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a foolish or lopsided deal, giving away something of high value (a horse) for something of very little value or a temporary craving (boiled grains). It signifies a lack of foresight or poor judgment in business and life decisions.

Related Phrases

Like selling firewood where flowers were sold.

This proverb describes a person who has fallen from a high, prosperous, or prestigious status to a lowly or poor condition. It signifies the misfortune of having to do menial work in the same environment where one previously enjoyed success and respect.

In an unlucky time his Kandi wouldn't boil soft.

This proverb describes a situation where everything goes wrong when time is not on your side. It suggests that even simple or familiar things can become difficult, or expectations can turn into unexpected outcomes during an unlucky period. It is used to express how one's misfortune can make even the most basic tasks or situations go awry.

All six born to the mother are thieves of boiled chickpeas!

This proverb is used to describe a situation where everyone in a group or family is equally guilty, incompetent, or flawed. It implies that there is no point in blaming one person when everyone involved shares the same nature or has committed the same mistake. It is often used to highlight collective accountability or shared bad habits within a close-knit group.

Like selling firewood where sandal had been sold. Said of the ruin of what once was beautiful.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone or something has lost its former glory, dignity, or high status. It refers to a decline in quality or a person resorting to menial tasks after having held a prestigious position.

Boiled grains are a waste for a blind horse.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where high-quality resources or efforts are wasted on something or someone that cannot utilize them effectively. It suggests that providing expensive or premium things (like 'guggillu' or boiled chickpeas) to a blind horse is futile because the horse cannot perform the tasks expected of it, making the investment a loss.

Like selling firewood in the same shop where flowers were once sold.

This expression describes a situation where someone who once lived a dignified or prosperous life has now fallen into a lowly or difficult state. It refers to a significant decline in status, quality, or circumstances, comparing the fragrance and beauty of flowers to the ruggedness and toil associated with selling firewood.

Adding incense to the fire.

When a person is already angry the anger is aggravated by indiscreet words.On those occasions, it is wise to be silent; otherwise it would add insult to injury.

Like sprinkling guggilam (fragrant resin) on fire!

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's existing anger is further provoked or aggravated. Just as resin makes a fire flare up intensely, certain words or actions can make a person's temper or an already tense situation much worse.

Like pigeon peas becoming a boiled snack during bad times.

This proverb highlights how, when luck is not on one's side or during a bad period (Kani vela), even simple tasks become difficult or unexpected obstacles arise. Normally, pigeon peas (kandulu) are used for dal, but in this context, they are described as becoming 'guggillu' (a simple boiled snack), implying a compromise or a turn of events where things don't go as planned due to misfortune.

Grains of iron, not of black gram.

This expression is used to describe a task or a subject that is extremely difficult to master, understand, or accomplish. Just as boiled iron pellets are impossible to chew compared to soft boiled black gram, it refers to something that is exceptionally 'tough to swallow' or highly complex.

The pulse spoken of is the Phaseolus Roxburghii. Said of a puzzling passage or a jawbreaking verse.