చెట్టు పెరట్లో, పాదు వాకిట్లో

chettu peratlo, padu vakitlo

Translation

The tree is in the backyard, but its basin is at the front door.

Meaning

This expression describes a situation where someone performs the work or resides in one place, but the benefits or results are reaped elsewhere. It is often used to describe someone who works for a household or organization but directs all their earnings or focus to another place, or metaphorically, someone whose body is in one place but whose heart/mind is elsewhere.

Related Phrases

Like having a thorny bush under the Kalpavriksha (divine wish-granting tree).

This expression is used to describe a situation where something ugly, harmful, or inferior exists right next to something divine, magnificent, or superior. It highlights the stark contrast between greatness and misery, or the presence of a nuisance in a place of great benefit.

Like the Gachcha bush growing round the Kalpa tree. The Gachcha is a thorny bush, (Guilandina Bonducella); the Kalpa is the celestial tree of desire. Applied to a benevolent man surrounded by evil persons, who do not suffer others to approach him.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something excellent, noble, or divine is ruined by the presence of something unpleasant, harmful, or inferior nearby. It highlights the contrast between greatness and a nuisance.

Plants do not grow under a giant tree

This expression is used to describe how a very dominant or famous personality can overshadow others around them, preventing them from developing their own identity or achieving success. Just as a large tree blocks sunlight and nutrients from smaller plants, a great person's influence might inadvertently stifle the growth of those in their immediate shadow.

Counting Kalivi bushes while standing under the Kalpavruksha (divine wish-fulfilling tree).

This expression describes a person who fails to appreciate the great opportunities or immense wealth they already possess, instead focusing on trivial or useless things. It highlights the foolishness of ignoring a significant benefit in favor of something insignificant.

Like having a thorny bush under the celestial wish-granting tree.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something excellent, noble, or divine is marred by the presence of something low, prickly, or unpleasant right beside it. It refers to the irony of having a great blessing accompanied by a nuisance.

Are the people coming to the marriage waiting in the back- yard ? i. e. "Why such haste ?"

This expression is used sarcastically to question someone who is in an extreme hurry or is acting as if an urgent, grand event is about to happen immediately. It is typically directed at people who are being overly impatient or making a fuss about preparations for a task that still has time.

Like going to the Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) and asking for raw fruits.

This expression describes a situation where someone has access to an immense, limitless source of wealth or wisdom but asks for something trivial, small, or insignificant. It is used to point out a lack of vision or the inability to recognize and utilize a great opportunity to its full potential.

In a place where there are no trees, even a castor oil plant is a great tree.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person with very little knowledge or skill is considered an expert simply because everyone else around them is completely ignorant or incompetent. It is similar to the English expression 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'

A thorny bush under the celestial wish-fulfilling tree; a cobra around the fragrant sandalwood tree.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something divine, beautiful, or beneficial is marred by the presence of something harmful or unpleasant. It highlights the irony of finding bad company or obstacles in the presence of greatness or virtue.

In a place where there are no trees, even a Wild Indigo bush is a great tree

This proverb describes a situation where an ordinary or mediocre person is considered great simply because there are no better alternatives available. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'