కట్టవేసిన బట్టకు కావలి కాచినట్లు.
kattavesina battaku kavali kachinatlu.
Like guarding the clothes that have already been washed and spread out to dry.
This expression describes a situation where someone is performing a redundant or unnecessary task. It refers to a person watching over something that is already safe or in a state where guarding it serves no practical purpose, similar to 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or performing a futile, over-protective action.
Related Phrases
సముద్రంలో పిట్ట రెట్టవేసినట్లు
samudramlo pitta rettavesinatlu
Like a bird dropping its waste into the ocean
This expression is used to describe a contribution or an addition that is so insignificantly small compared to the vastness of the whole that it makes no difference at all. It is similar to the English idiom 'A drop in the bucket'.
అత్తవారింటికి అల్లుడైనా కావాలి, ఆబోతైనా కావాలి.
attavarintiki alludaina kavali, abotaina kavali.
To the mother-in-law's house, one should go either as a son-in-law or as a bull.
This proverb is used sarcastically to describe someone who expects to be pampered and fed without doing any work. In traditional Telugu culture, a son-in-law is treated with extreme hospitality and never asked to work, while a 'Basavanna' (sacred bull) is fed and revered without labor. It is used to mock lazy individuals who overstay their welcome and expect royal treatment.
పొట్టకిచ్చినా బట్టకిచ్చినా భూదేవే
pottakichchina battakichchina bhudeve
Whether given to the stomach or given for clothes, it is Mother Earth.
This expression highlights that everything essential for human survival—be it food (stomach) or fiber for clothing (clothes)—originates from the Earth. It is used to emphasize our dependence on nature and the importance of agriculture and the land.
పారవేసిన విస్తరాకు పండగనాడు పనికివచ్చినట్లు
paravesina vistaraku pandaganadu panikivachchinatlu
Like a discarded leaf plate becoming useful on a festival day.
This expression describes a situation where something or someone previously considered useless or neglected suddenly becomes valuable or essential due to specific circumstances. It is often used to highlight a stroke of luck or the unexpected utility of a discarded object/person.
చీపురుకట్టకు పట్టుకుచ్చు కట్టినట్లు.
chipurukattaku pattukuchchu kattinatlu.
Like tying a silk tassel to a broomstick.
This proverb describes a situation where something cheap, ugly, or low-quality is decorated with something expensive and elegant. It is used to mock a mismatch in status or quality, often referring to an unattractive person wearing expensive jewelry or an unworthy person being given high honors.
ఊట వేసిన ముడి, వాతవేసిన పసుపు
uta vesina mudi, vatavesina pasupu
A knot soaked in water, turmeric applied to a brand.
This expression is used to describe something that is fixed, permanent, or impossible to undo. Just as a wet knot becomes tighter and harder to untie, and turmeric applied to a cauterized wound stays fixed to the skin, this phrase refers to a decision or situation that is finalized and unchangeable.
ఆవుదూడను బట్టకు, బట్టిదూడను ఆవుకు మరగవేసినట్లు
avududanu battaku, battidudanu avuku maragavesinatlu
Like making a cow's calf get used to a bullock, and a bullock's calf get used to a cow.
This expression describes a situation where things are completely mixed up or inappropriately paired. It is used when someone tries to force a connection or a replacement between two entities that do not naturally belong together, leading to confusion or an unnatural state of affairs.
పూచిన తంగేడు వేసినా, కాచిన వెంపలి వేసినా, నేను పండుతానన్నదట వరి.
puchina tangedu vesina, kachina vempali vesina, nenu pandutanannadata vari.
Whether you apply blooming Tangedu or fruiting Vempali (as manure), the paddy crop says it will yield a bountiful harvest.
This proverb highlights the traditional agricultural wisdom of using green leaf manure. Tangedu (Tanner's Cassia) and Vempali (Wild Indigo) are excellent natural fertilizers. The saying emphasizes that if the soil is nourished with these specific organic materials, a high-quality rice yield is guaranteed regardless of other challenges.
దుమ్ము పోసి అంబలి కాచినట్టు
dummu posi ambali kachinattu
Like making porridge of dust. Labour wasted in a hopeless scheme.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone puts in a lot of effort or goes through a process, but the final result is completely ruined or made useless by a foolish mistake or poor quality ingredients. It signifies wasted effort resulting in something unpalatable or unsuccessful.
పోయిన నీళ్ళకు కట్ట కట్టినట్లు
poyina nillaku katta kattinatlu
Like building a dam after the water has already flowed away
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes corrective action or precautions after the damage has already been done and it is too late to be effective. It is similar to the English proverb 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.