ఈతగింజ ఇచ్చి తాటిగింజ లాగేవాడు
itaginja ichchi tatiginja lagevadu
A man who gives a date stone and takes a palmyra nut.
This expression describes a manipulative or extremely shrewd person who gives something of very little value (a small date seed) to gain something much more valuable (a large palmyra seed). It is used to caution against people who perform small favors only to demand or extract much larger benefits in return.
Íta is the wild date ( Phoenix Sylvestris ). Tāḍu is the Palmyra ( Borassus Flabelliformis ). Offering a gift of slight value for the purpose of gaining a rich present. Throw in a sprat to catch a salmon.
Related Phrases
అద్దము మీద పెసరగింజ పడ్డట్టు
addamu mida pesaraginja paddattu
Like a Pesara seed on a looking glass. Used with reference to a remark aimed at a particular person, but con- veyed in such general terms that he is unable to take notice of it. He said devil, but meant you. (Dutch.)
This expression describes something that is extremely unstable or short-lived. Just as a small, round green gram seed cannot stay still on a smooth, slippery surface like a mirror and slides off immediately, this phrase is used to refer to people who don't stick to their word, or situations that are highly precarious and transient.
కాలము నాటి కందిగింజ, పెద్దల నాటి పెసరగింజ.
kalamu nati kandiginja, peddala nati pesaraginja.
In the ages past he was Kandi and in the time of his fore- fathers he was Pesara. Said of a prosy old fellow who spins long yarns.
This expression is used to highlight the decline in quality, health, or size of things over generations. It suggests that what was considered small or ordinary in the past (like a green gram) is comparable or superior to what is considered significant today (like a pigeon pea), emphasizing the strength and richness of the olden days.
కూత లొల్లాయిలేగాని కుప్పలో గింజ లేదు
kuta lollayilegani kuppalo ginja ledu
Great cries, but not a grain in the heap.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a lot of noise, empty talk, or grand showmanship, but no actual substance, results, or value. It is similar to the English expression 'All bark and no bite' or 'Much ado about nothing.'
A great noise of threshing, but no grain to thresh. " Great cry and little wool" as the fellow said when he sheared the pig.
అద్దం మీద పెసరగింజ పడ్డట్లు
addam mida pesaraginja paddatlu
Like a green gram falling on a mirror.
This expression is used to describe something that slides off or fails to stick, just as a smooth seed would bounce or slip off a glass surface. It is often used to characterize a person who is unaffected by advice, warnings, or criticism, or to describe a situation where efforts have no lasting impact.
రహస్యమేమిటంటే, వడ్లగింజలోది బియ్యపు గింజ అన్నట్లు
rahasyamemitante, vadlaginjalodi biyyapu ginja annatlu
The secret is that inside a grain of paddy lies a grain of rice.
This expression is used to describe something that is blatantly obvious or a self-evident truth presented as if it were a profound secret. It mocks situations where someone tries to reveal common knowledge as a major discovery or when a 'secret' is essentially the core nature of the object itself.
నోట్లో నువ్వుగింజ నానదు
notlo nuvvuginja nanadu
A sesame seed won't even soak in the mouth
This expression is used to describe a person who cannot keep a secret. Just as a tiny sesame seed would quickly be chewed or swallowed rather than sitting in the mouth to soak, this person immediately blurts out any information or gossip they hear to others.
గురిగింజ తన కింద నలుపు ఎరుగదు
guriginja tana kinda nalupu erugadu
The scarlet gourd seed does not know the blackness underneath it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who points out flaws in others while being completely oblivious to their own faults or shortcomings. Just like the bright red Guriginja seed which has a black spot at its base that it cannot see, some people ignore their own negative traits.
నోట్లో ఆవగింజ దాగదు
notlo avaginja dagadu
Even a mustard seed cannot be hidden in his mouth. A gossipping fellow who repeats all he hears.
This expression is used to describe someone who cannot keep a secret. Just as a tiny mustard seed is hard to keep still in one's mouth, this person feels a restless urge to reveal any information or secrets they hear to others immediately.
కాలంనాటికందిగింజ, పెద్దలనాటి పెసరగింజ
kalamnatikandiginja, peddalanati pesaraginja
A pigeon pea from the olden times, a green gram from the ancestors' times
This expression is used to describe something that is extremely old, ancient, or outdated. It often refers to objects, traditions, or ideas that have been preserved for generations, sometimes implying they are long-lasting and at other times suggesting they are archaic.
జొన్నగింజ ఊచబియ్యం, వరిగింజ అటుకుబియ్యం
jonnaginja uchabiyyam, variginja atukubiyyam
Sorghum grain is like tender grain, paddy grain is like flattened rice grain.
This proverb is used to describe the inherent nature or qualities of different things. It signifies that every object or person has their own specific utility and characteristics, emphasizing that one should understand the natural state or the processed form of things to appreciate their value.