ఇల్లు ఇరుకు, పొయ్యి పొడుగు.
illu iruku, poyyi podugu.
The house is narrow, and the stove is long.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the available resources or space are insufficient for the task at hand, or when one's expenses and requirements far exceed their limited means and capacity.
Related Phrases
తనుసొమ్ము సోమవారం, మందిసొమ్ము మంగళవారం
tanusommu somavaram, mandisommu mangalavaram
One's own money on Monday, others' money on Tuesday
This proverb describes a hypocritical or selfish attitude towards money and resources. It refers to a person who is very stingy and careful when spending their own money (Monday), but becomes incredibly reckless and extravagant when spending money belonging to others or the public (Tuesday). It is used to criticize those who do not value others' wealth as much as their own.
విత్తుటకు శుక్రవారం, కోతకు గురువారం.
vittutaku shukravaram, kotaku guruvaram.
Friday for sowing, Thursday for harvesting.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb highlighting the cultural and astrological significance of specific days for farming activities. It suggests that Friday is auspicious for planting seeds, while Thursday is considered the best day to begin the harvest for prosperity and success.
బుధవారం నాడు పులి కూడా బయలుదేరదు
budhavaram nadu puli kuda bayaluderadu
Even a tiger will not start its journey on a Wednesday
This is a popular Telugu proverb used to highlight a specific cultural superstition. It suggests that Wednesday is such an auspicious or significant day for staying put or finishing tasks that even a powerful creature like a tiger wouldn't begin a new journey or venture out on this day. It is often used humorously or to justify avoiding travel on Wednesdays.
అయితే ఆదివారం, కాకుంటే సోమవారం
ayite adivaram, kakunte somavaram
If it's not Sunday it's Monday. If to-day will not, to-morrow may.
This expression is used to describe someone who is indecisive or a situation that lacks a firm commitment. It implies that a task will be done eventually, but without a specific or reliable timeline, often suggesting procrastination or a casual attitude toward deadlines.
తన సొమ్ము సోమవారం, మంది సొమ్ము మంగళవారం.
tana sommu somavaram, mandi sommu mangalavaram.
One's own money is Monday, others' money is Tuesday.
This proverb describes a hypocritical or selfish attitude towards money and resources. It refers to a person who is very stingy and careful when spending their own money (saving it for later), but very reckless or eager when spending money belonging to others. It is used to criticize someone who takes advantage of others' generosity while being miserly themselves.
బుధవారం నాడు పులి కూడా బయలుదేరదు
budhavaram nadu puli kuda bayaluderadu
Even a tiger doesn't start its journey on a Wednesday.
This is a popular Telugu saying rooted in traditional beliefs and astrology. It suggests that Wednesday is considered an extremely auspicious or 'fixed' day, implying that if even a powerful animal like a tiger hesitates to begin a journey or task on this day, humans should be equally cautious or follow specific travel rules. It is often used to emphasize the cultural significance of timing and omens before starting something new.
దేవుడు వరమిచ్చినా, పూజారి వరమీయడు.
devudu varamichchina, pujari varamiyadu.
Even if God grants a boon, the priest will not grant it.
This proverb describes a situation where a higher authority is willing to help or approve a request, but the subordinates or intermediaries create obstacles. It is commonly used to express frustration with bureaucracy, middle-men, or lower-level officials who block progress despite orders from the top.
కొండ మంగలి క్షవరం
konda mangali kshavaram
A mountain barber's haircut
This expression is used to describe a job that is done extremely poorly, inconsistently, or left half-finished. Just as a barber on a mountain might do a rough and uneven job due to lack of proper tools or skill, it refers to any work that is messy and unprofessional.
ఇల్లు ఇందువారం, పొయ్యి బుధవారం
illu induvaram, poyyi budhavaram
The house on Monday, the stove on Wednesday.
This proverb describes extreme laziness or procrastination. It refers to a person who starts cleaning the house on Monday but doesn't get around to lighting the stove to cook until Wednesday. It is used to mock someone who takes an unnecessarily long time to complete simple, daily tasks.
దేవుడు వరం ఇచ్చినా పూజారీ వరం ఇవ్వడు.
devudu varam ichchina pujari varam ivvadu.
Though god gives a boon, the priest doesn’t.
In our dealings with subordinate officers in a setup, we come across hurdles in getting our rightful things done. Even if the higher-up agrees to our request, the junior officer will prove to be a stumbling block and deny justice to us.