కరువులో అరువు
karuvulo aruvu
Borrowing during a famine
This expression describes a situation where one is forced to seek a loan or credit during a time of extreme scarcity or crisis. It signifies an act of desperation or a burden upon an already struggling person, as borrowing during a famine is difficult to repay and even harder to obtain.
Related Phrases
అరువు సొమ్ములు బరువుకు చేటు
aruvu sommulu baruvuku chetu
Borrowed jewelry is only a burden.
This proverb highlights that borrowing things (especially ornaments or jewelry) for the sake of showing off only brings anxiety and a sense of burden, as one is constantly worried about their safety and eventual return. It is used to advise people to live within their means and be content with what they own.
కుమ్మరికి కుండ కరువు, సాలెకు బట్ట కరువు
kummariki kunda karuvu, saleku batta karuvu
The potter lacks a pot, and the weaver lacks a cloth.
This proverb describes a paradoxical situation where a professional or skilled worker lacks the very thing they produce for others. It is used to highlight irony, such as a doctor who is always sick or a financial advisor who is broke.
పండగ తొల్నాడు గుడ్డల కరువు, పండగనాడు అన్నము కరువు, పండగ మర్నాడు మజ్జిగ కరువు.
pandaga tolnadu guddala karuvu, pandaganadu annamu karuvu, pandaga marnadu majjiga karuvu.
The day before the festival, there is a scarcity of cloth ; on the festival day, a scarcity of food ; and on the day after the festival, a scarcity of buttermilk.
This proverb highlights the irony of poor planning or extreme poverty where resources are missing exactly when they are needed most. It describes a situation where one is busy washing clothes the day before (lacking something to wear), busy cooking on the festival day (delayed eating), and exhausted of all resources/dairy by the following day.
చెట్టుకు కరువు, కోమటికి బరువు లేవు.
chettuku karuvu, komatiki baruvu levu.
A tree knows no drought, and a merchant knows no burden.
This proverb highlights the inherent resilience or nature of certain entities. A tree provides shade and fruit regardless of external conditions, and a savvy merchant (traditionally referred to as Komati) always finds a way to manage their trade or load without feeling the 'weight' or loss. It is used to describe situations where people are naturally equipped to handle specific hardships or roles.
కరువులో బిడ్డను అమ్ముకొన్నట్టు
karuvulo biddanu ammukonnattu
Like selling a child in a famine. Selling in a bad market.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme desperation or dire necessity where someone is forced to give up something incredibly precious or vital just to survive a crisis. It highlights a situation where there are no good choices left and one must make a heartbreaking sacrifice.
కరువులో బిడ్డను అమ్ముకున్నట్లు
karuvulo biddanu ammukunnatlu
Like selling one's child during a famine
This expression describes a situation of extreme desperation where someone is forced to sacrifice their most precious possession or make a heart-wrenching decision due to dire circumstances. It is used when someone gives up something invaluable just to survive a temporary crisis.
అంగట్లో అరువు, తలమీద బరువు
angatlo aruvu, talamida baruvu
Credit in the shop, a burden on the head.
This proverb highlights the stress and mental burden that debt causes. Even if one buys something on credit (loan) from a shop, the thought of repayment weighs heavily on the mind like a physical load. It is used to caution people against taking loans or buying things they cannot immediately afford.
కరువులో అధిక మాసం
karuvulo adhika masam
An extra month during a famine.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an already difficult or bad situation is made worse by further complications or burdens. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'Misfortunes never come singly' or 'When it rains, it pours'.
పరువుకీ, కరువుకీ డబ్బు
paruvuki, karuvuki dabbu
Money for dignity and for drought (scarcity)
This expression highlights that money is essential for two main reasons: maintaining one's social standing (dignity) and surviving during times of extreme hardship or scarcity (drought). It is used to emphasize the importance of financial security for both social and survival needs.
అంగట్లో అరువు తలమీద బరువు
angatlo aruvu talamida baruvu
Credit in the shop is a burden on the head
This proverb highlights the stress and psychological weight of debt. Even if one can buy things on credit easily at a market, the obligation to repay it remains a constant mental burden. It is used to advise people against taking unnecessary loans or living beyond their means.