కోడి కుళ్ళగించేది అంతా పెంటకుప్పలే
kodi kullaginchedi anta pentakuppale
All that a hen scratches is only the dung heap.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, despite their efforts or pretense of doing something important, always ends up involved in trivial, petty, or low-level matters. It suggests that a person's actions are limited by their nature or capacity, much like a hen that always searches for food in a pile of waste regardless of where it is.
Related Phrases
పెంటకుప్ప పెరిగితే, పేదరైతు పెద్దవాడగును.
pentakuppa perigite, pedaraitu peddavadagunu.
If the manure heap grows, the poor farmer becomes great.
This proverb highlights the importance of organic waste and manure in agriculture. It means that as a farmer accumulates more organic waste/manure (pentakuppa), the fertility of the land increases, leading to better yields and eventually making the farmer wealthy and successful. It emphasizes that hard work and the collection of resources, even those considered lowly, lead to prosperity.
మంగలివాడి పెంట కుల్లగిస్తే, బొచ్చు బయట పడుతుంది
mangalivadi penta kullagiste, bochchu bayata padutundi
If you dig into the dunghill of a barber you will only find hair. Unprofitable labour.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where, upon investigating a specific person's actions or background, the results are entirely predictable based on their profession or character. It implies that if you look into a messy or suspicious situation, the evidence found will be exactly what one would expect to find in such a context.
పిల్ల పుట్టకముందే కుల్లాయి కుట్టినట్లు
pilla puttakamunde kullayi kuttinatlu
Stitching a cap before the child is even born
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes premature preparations or plans for an event that hasn't happened yet and whose outcome is uncertain. It is similar to the English idiom 'counting your chickens before they hatch'.
కాటేసేది చెరుకు, పట్టేది హనుమంతుడు
katesedi cheruku, pattedi hanumantudu
The one who bites is the sugarcane, the one who catches it is Hanuman.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a difficult task but the credit or the consequence goes to someone else, or when expectations are mismatched with reality. It is often a humorous take on misattribution or the peculiar nature of a task.
పంటకు పెంటు, వంటకు మరటు
pantaku pentu, vantaku maratu
Manure for the crop, stirring for the cooking.
This proverb highlights the essential requirements for success in specific tasks. Just as manure (pantu) is necessary for a healthy crop yield, constant stirring or tending (maratu) is necessary for a dish to be cooked properly. It is used to emphasize that every job has its own unique, indispensable process that must be followed to achieve the desired result.
కులికేది కోడలు, అరిచేది అత్త
kulikedi kodalu, arichedi atta
The daughter-in-law flaunts herself, while the mother-in-law shouts.
This proverb describes a domestic dynamic where one person (often the daughter-in-law) enjoys a relaxed or stylish lifestyle, while another person (the mother-in-law) is left with the stress, frustration, or the burden of managing things, often leading to constant complaining or yelling. It is used to highlight situations where one person's comfort causes another's irritation.
చిక్కి శిక్షించేటంతకన్నా, వెళ్లి వెక్కిరించేది మేలు
chikki shikshinchetantakanna, velli vekkirinchedi melu
It is better to go and mock another, than to whine when you are caught.
This proverb suggests that it is wiser to avoid a dangerous or compromising situation and be ridiculed for it, rather than getting caught and suffering severe consequences. It emphasizes self-preservation over pride.
అంతకు తగిన గంత, గంతకు తగిన బొంత.
antaku tagina ganta, gantaku tagina bonta.
A pack-saddle fits the size, and a quilt fits the pack-saddle.
This proverb is used to describe a perfect match or a situation where things are suited to each other, often used in a sarcastic or humorous way to describe a couple or a pair of people who share the same (often negative) traits or habits. It implies that for every person or situation, there is a corresponding match that deserves them.
కోడికి గజ్జెలు కడితే కుప్ప కుళ్ళగించదా?
kodiki gajjelu kadite kuppa kullaginchada?
If you tie anklets to a hen, won't it still scratch the heap?
This proverb suggests that no matter how much you try to dignify or change someone's outward appearance with finery, their inherent nature or basic habits will not change. It is used to describe situations where a person continues to behave according to their true character regardless of their new status or environment.
గంతకు తగిన బొంత
gantaku tagina bonta
Like packsaddle, like quilt.
This expression is used to describe two people or things that are a perfect match for each other, often in a sarcastic or negative sense (like two equally lazy or cunning people). It is the Telugu equivalent of the English phrase 'Like father, like son' or 'A chip off the old block', implying that the quality or nature of one thing matches the other perfectly.
Like pot, like cover. (Dutch.)*