కరువు వస్తుందని సద్ది కట్టిపెట్టినట్లు
karuvu vastundani saddi kattipettinatlu
Like packing and setting aside leftovers because a drought is coming.
This expression is used to describe someone who acts with premature or excessive caution. It highlights the futility of trying to prepare for a major, long-term crisis (like a drought) with small, temporary measures (like cooked leftovers) that will likely spoil before they are even needed.
Related Phrases
గుడ్డికంటికి కాటుకపెట్టినట్లు
guddikantiki katukapettinatlu
Like applying mascara to a blind eye
This expression is used to describe a futile action or an effort that serves no purpose. Just as applying kohl or mascara to a blind eye does not improve sight or serve an aesthetic purpose for the wearer, this phrase refers to doing something that is wasted or useless in a given context.
కాపు వచ్చిన ఏడే కరువు వచ్చినది.
kapu vachchina ede karuvu vachchinadi.
The famine came in the very year that the cultivator came to the village. An unfortunate coincidence.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme bad luck or irony where success and disaster occur simultaneously. It is used when a long-awaited positive outcome or reward is immediately neutralized or ruined by an unexpected calamity, leaving no chance to enjoy the fruits of one's labor.
అందానికి పెట్టిన సొమ్ము, ఆపదకు అడ్డం వస్తుంది.
andaniki pettina sommu, apadaku addam vastundi.
Ornaments worn for beauty will be useful in the time of want.
This proverb highlights the dual purpose of investing in gold or jewelry. While it serves to enhance one's appearance (beauty), it also acts as a financial safety net that can be sold or mortgaged during difficult times or emergencies. It is used to justify the practice of buying jewelry as a form of saving.
మొదలే మన్ను, కరువు వస్తే గడ్డలు.
modale mannu, karuvu vaste gaddalu.
Nothing but earth to begin with, and by want of rain, clods.
This expression is used to describe a situation that was already bad or mediocre, which then became significantly worse due to additional hardships. It implies that when resources are already scarce or of poor quality, any further calamity makes the situation unbearable or impossible to manage.
Worse and worse.
అన్నం పెట్టినవారింటికి కన్నము పెట్టినట్లు
annam pettinavarintiki kannamu pettinatlu
Like breaking into the house of the person who fed you.
This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.
అందానికి పెట్టిన సొమ్ము ఆపదకు అడ్డం వస్తుంది.
andaniki pettina sommu apadaku addam vastundi.
Wealth spent on beauty (ornaments) will come in handy during a crisis.
This proverb highlights the practical value of investing in jewelry or gold. While ornaments are primarily worn for beauty, they serve as a financial safety net that can be easily liquidated or used as collateral when one faces unexpected difficulties or emergencies.
దొంగగొడ్డుకు గుడి కట్టినట్లు
dongagodduku gudi kattinatlu
Like building a temple for a stray or thieving cattle.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is unworthy, dishonest, or troublesome is given undue respect, honor, or protection. It highlights the irony and wastefulness of glorifying someone who does not deserve it.
పట్టిన ఇరువు వలె
pattina iruvu vale
Like a firm grip
This expression is used to describe something that is held very tightly, securely, or a situation where there is no room for movement or escape. It often refers to a steadfast commitment or a physical grip that cannot be loosened.
వడ్డించేవాడు మనవాడైతే ఎక్కడ కూర్చున్నా ఒకటే
vaddinchevadu manavadaite ekkada kurchunna okate
If the person serving the food is one of our own, it doesn't matter where we sit.
This proverb highlights that if the person in power or authority is your well-wisher or relative, you will receive benefits regardless of your position or status. It is often used to describe nepotism or the advantage of having influential connections.
నెత్తిన వెన్న పెట్టి రొయ్యల మొలతాడు కట్టినట్లు
nettina venna petti royyala molatadu kattinatlu
Like placing butter on the head and tying a waistband made of prawns.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely foolish or setting themselves up for a loss. Placing butter on the head (which melts in the sun) and using prawns (which are scavenged by crows and dogs) as a waistband implies that the person's assets or efforts will quickly vanish or be snatched away due to poor planning.