కలలో కనుపించిన లంకె బిందెలు రాకపోయినా, పెరికి పెరికి పరుపంతా నీళ్ళచాయ మాత్రం అయింది.
kalalo kanupinchina lanke bindelu rakapoyina, periki periki parupanta nillachaya matram ayindi.
Though the pots of gold seen in the dream didn't arrive, the bed became soaked with water (sweat/urine) from all the digging efforts in the dream.
This proverb describes a situation where a person pursues an imaginary or unrealistic gain, and not only fails to achieve it but also ends up causing actual damage or mess to their current reality. It is used to mock those who waste energy on fantasies only to suffer practical losses.
Related Phrases
వచ్చిన పేరు చచ్చినా పోదు
vachchina peru chachchina podu
The reputation gained will not leave even after death
This expression emphasizes that once a person earns a certain reputation—whether good or bad—it stays with them for life and remains even after they pass away. It is often used to remind someone that their actions have long-lasting consequences on their legacy.
రెక్కలు పెరికిన పిట్ట వలె
rekkalu perikina pitta vale
Like a bird whose wings have been plucked.
This expression describes a state of utter helplessness, powerlessness, or vulnerability. Just as a bird cannot fly or protect itself without its wings, it refers to a person who has lost their primary source of strength, support, or resources, leaving them unable to function or defend themselves.
కలలో కనిపించింది కోట, ఇలలో దొరికింది గొయ్యి
kalalo kanipinchindi kota, ilalo dorikindi goyyi
A castle appeared in the dream, but a pit was found on the earth.
This proverb describes a situation where one's high expectations or grand dreams contrast sharply with a harsh or disappointing reality. It is used when someone's lofty plans result in a complete failure or when real-life outcomes are the opposite of what was envisioned.
మేకును పెరికిన కోతి వలె
mekunu perikina koti vale
Like the monkey that drew out the wedge. “ ‘ You know the story of the Monkey, don’t you ? ’ [ said Karataka ]. “The Monkey drew the sawyer’s wedge, and died; Let meddlers mark it, and be edited.” ‘ No ! ’ said Damanaka. ‘ How was it ? ‘ In this way,’ answered Karataka :— ‘ In south Behar, close by the retreat of Dhurmma, there was an open plot of ground, upon which a temple was in course of erection, under the management of a man of the Kayeth caste named Subhadatta. A car- penter upon the works had partly sawed through a long beam of wood, and wedged it open, and was gone away, leaving the wedge fixed. Shortly afterwards a large herd of Monkeys came frolicking that way, and one of their number, directed doubtless by the Angel of death, got astride the beam, and grasped the wedge, with his tail and lower parts dangling down between the pieces of the wood. Not content with this, in the mischief natural to monkeys, he began to tug at the wedge; till at last it yielded to a great effort and came out; when the wood closed upon him, and jammed him all fast. So perished the monkey, miserably crushed ; and I say again,— “ Let meddlers mark it and be edited.” ( Arnold's Book of Good Counsels from the Hitopadesa pp. 49, 50.)
This expression describes a situation where someone meddles in affairs they do not understand, resulting in trouble or self-inflicted harm. It originates from a fable where a monkey pulls out a wooden wedge from a split log, only to have its limbs caught when the log snaps shut. It is used to caution against unnecessary interference or curiosity in dangerous matters.
జొన్న పెరిగితే జాడు, వరి పెరిగితే వడ్లు.
jonna perigite jadu, vari perigite vadlu.
If sorghum grows tall it becomes fodder, if paddy grows it becomes grain.
This proverb is used to describe how growth affects different things differently. Just as sorghum (jonna) loses its grain value and becomes mere fodder (jaadu) when it grows excessively tall, but paddy (vari) yields more grain (vadlu), human endeavors or traits must be channeled correctly. It emphasizes that excessive growth in the wrong direction can be useless, while growth in the right context leads to productivity.
కన్నెతనం పోయినా, అన్న మాట పోయినా బతుకే భారం
kannetanam poyina, anna mata poyina batuke bharam
If virginity is lost, or if a given word is lost, life becomes a burden.
This expression emphasizes the extreme importance of integrity and keeping one's promises. In traditional contexts, it compares the loss of a person's reputation or honor (symbolized by broken promises) to the irreversible loss of virtue, suggesting that living without honor or credibility is a heavy burden.
గాలికి పుట్టి, ధూళికి పెరిగినట్లు
galiki putti, dhuliki periginatlu
Born to the wind and raised in the dust.
This expression describes someone who grew up without any parental care, guidance, or proper upbringing. It is used to refer to people who are self-raised in neglectful conditions or things that have appeared and developed haphazardly without any formal foundation or supervision.
గాలికి పుట్టి ధూళికి పెరిగినట్టు
galiki putti dhuliki periginattu
Born of the wind, and reared up by the dust. Said by parents to an ungrateful son, or by a benefactor to an ungrateful dependant.
This expression refers to someone who grew up without proper care, guidance, or parental supervision. It is often used to describe a person who has become wayward or unrefined due to a lack of structured upbringing and support.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా మట్టిపిల్లి అయినా ఎలుకను పట్టిందే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina mattipilli ayina elukanu pattinde pilli
Whether it is a wooden cat or a clay cat, the one that catches the mouse is the real cat.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the effectiveness or utility of a person or a tool is more important than its form, cost, or status. It is used to convey that the end result is what truly matters in evaluating a solution.
వచ్చీరాని చన్ను, పేరీ పేరని పెరుగు
vachchirani channu, peri perani perugu
Breast milk that hasn't fully come in, and curd that hasn't fully set.
This expression is used to describe something that is incomplete, half-baked, or in an intermediate state where it is neither here nor there. It highlights the uselessness or dissatisfaction caused by things that are not fully developed or finished, such as a task left halfway or a skill that is poorly acquired.