కాకికి కంకెడు లేదు, పెట్టకు పిడికెడు లేదు
kakiki kankedu ledu, pettaku pidikedu ledu
Not even a grain stalk for the crow, not even a handful for the hen.
This expression describes an extremely stingy person or a situation of absolute scarcity where someone refuses to help others, even in the smallest way. It highlights a lack of generosity even towards those who need very little.
Related Phrases
తిలాః పాపహరా నిత్యం, తలా పిడికెడు పిడికెడు.
tilah papahara nityam, tala pidikedu pidikedu.
Sesamum seed always takes away sin, [give them ] a hand- ful a head.
This expression is used sarcastically to describe people who use a religious or moral justification to indulge their greed or over-consume something. While the first part is a religious sentiment about the purifying nature of sesame seeds, the second part humorously demands a large quantity for everyone, highlighting human selfishness under the guise of piety.
Tila is the Sesamum Indicum. A jocose proverb, half Sanscrit, half Telugu.
తిట్టి చచ్చినవాడూ లేడు, దీవించి బ్రతికినవాడూ లేడు.
titti chachchinavadu ledu, divinchi bratikinavadu ledu.
No man has ever died from cursing, or lived from blessing. No one dies of threats. ( Dutch. )
This proverb is used to suggest that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not determine a person's fate or lifespan. It emphasizes that one should not take curses to heart or rely solely on blessings, but rather focus on reality and one's own actions.
* Van dreigen sterft man neit.
మందూ లేదు గుండూ లేదు, తుపాకీ పట్టి కాల్చుము అన్నట్టు
mandu ledu gundu ledu, tupaki patti kalchumu annattu
Like saying " Take the gun and shoot" when there is no powder and no ball.
This expression describes a situation where someone is asked to perform a task or achieve a result without being provided with the necessary tools, resources, or basic requirements. It highlights the absurdity of expecting an outcome when the fundamental means to achieve it are missing.
తాడూ లేదు, బొంగరం లేదు
tadu ledu, bongaram ledu
Neither a string nor a top.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks any ties, responsibilities, or assets. It often refers to a person who is roaming aimlessly without any sense of direction or accountability, or to a situation that is completely disorganized and lacks a proper basis.
తాడూ లేదు, బొంగరమూ లేదు
tadu ledu, bongaramu ledu
Neither a string nor a top
This expression is used to describe a person who is irresponsible, lacks roots, or has no attachments or accountability. Just as a spinning top cannot be controlled or operated without a string, it refers to someone who is wandering aimlessly or a situation that has no proper foundation or control.
ఏటిక పిడికెడు ధనము.
etika pidikedu dhanamu.
A handful of wealth for the river.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where money is spent on something completely useless or lost in a way that provides no return. Just as throwing a handful of money into a flowing river is a waste, it refers to futile expenditures or lost investments.
ఎరుక పిడికెడు ధనము.
eruka pidikedu dhanamu.
Acquaintance is a handful of money.
This proverb highlights the value of having contacts, awareness, or specific knowledge. It suggests that knowing someone or knowing 'how' things work is as valuable as having physical money in your hand, emphasizing that social networking and information are assets.
తిలాపాపం తలో పిడికెడు
tilapapam talo pidikedu
A handful of sesame seeds for each person's sin.
This expression is used when a group of people are collectively responsible for a mistake or a bad outcome. It implies that every individual involved shares a small portion of the blame or the consequences, much like everyone taking a handful of sesame seeds used in certain rituals.
తిలా పాపం తలా పిడికెడు
tila papam tala pidikedu
A sesame seed of sin for each, a handful for everyone.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a group of people collectively share the responsibility or blame for a wrongdoing. It implies that even if an individual's contribution to a bad deed is small (like a sesame seed), when everyone participates, the collective sin becomes large, and everyone must bear their portion of the consequence.
పిల్ల పిడికెడు గూని గంపెడు.
pilla pidikedu guni gampedu.
The child is a handful, but the hunchback is a basketful.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person's defects, faults, or problems are much larger than the person themselves. It is often applied to small individuals who have surprisingly large issues or when a minor task comes with a disproportionately large burden of complications.