కొడుకు పుట్టిన ఏడ్పుకు అబ్బ విస్తరాకు మోయలేక చచ్చినాడట
koduku puttina edpuku abba vistaraku moyaleka chachchinadata
The father allegedly died because he couldn't carry the leaf plate, even though he was crying for the birth of a son.
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be happy about a significant gain or success but complains or fails at the small responsibilities that come with it. It mocks those who are lazy or make excuses to avoid work even during celebratory occasions.
Related Phrases
పెద్దరికానికి పెద్ద బావ చస్తే, ఇంటిల్లిపాది ఈడ్వలేక చచ్చిందట.
peddarikaniki pedda bava chaste, intillipadi idvaleka chachchindata.
When the eldest brother-in-law died for the sake of status, the entire family died unable to carry the corpse.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes on an unnecessary burden or makes a sacrifice just to maintain social prestige or status, which ultimately results in a massive, unmanageable hardship for everyone involved. It is used to mock people who prioritize 'appearances' over practical reality and common sense.
వచ్చిన పేరు చచ్చినా పోదు
vachchina peru chachchina podu
The reputation gained will not leave even after death
This expression emphasizes that once a person earns a certain reputation—whether good or bad—it stays with them for life and remains even after they pass away. It is often used to remind someone that their actions have long-lasting consequences on their legacy.
ఎద్దు చచ్చినా వాత బాగా పడింది
eddu chachchina vata baga padindi
The ox died, but the branding mark was well-placed.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of effort or a specific procedure was carried out perfectly, yet the ultimate goal or subject was lost. It highlights a bittersweet or ironic scenario where the operation was a success, but the patient died. It is often used to mock someone who focuses on technical perfection while failing to achieve the actual purpose.
ఆలు పడ్డ ఇల్లు, ఎద్దు పడ్డ సేద్యం ముందుకురావు.
alu padda illu, eddu padda sedyam mundukuravu.
A house where the wife is unhappy, and a farm where the ox is fallen, will not progress.
This proverb emphasizes that peace and health are foundational for success. If the woman of the house (the 'Aalu') is suffering or unhappy, the household cannot thrive. Similarly, if the ox used for plowing is weak or collapsed, the farming cannot move forward. It is used to highlight the importance of the well-being of those who anchor the home and profession.
మోచిన మోపుకు ఇందరు మోయవలెనా?
mochina mopuku indaru moyavalena?
Does a bundle already being carried need so many people to carry it?
This proverb is used to criticize a situation where too many people are unnecessarily involved in a simple task or one that is already being handled. It is similar to the English expression 'Too many cooks spoil the broth' but specifically highlights the redundancy of effort for a task already in progress.
అబ్బ బావి తవ్విస్తే, అబ్బాయి పూడ్చించాడట
abba bavi tavviste, abbayi pudchinchadata
While the father got a well dug, the son got it filled up.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a son ruins the hard work or reputation built by his father. It highlights the contrast between a constructive predecessor and a destructive successor, or a situation where progress is immediately undone by the next generation's foolishness or malice.
అత్త చచ్చిన ఆరు మాసములకు కోడలి కంట నీరు వచ్చినదట
atta chachchina aru masamulaku kodali kanta niru vachchinadata
Six months after the death of the mother-in-law, tears came into the eyes of the daughter-in-law.
This proverb describes a situation where a person shows a delayed, insincere, or hypocritical emotional reaction. It is used to mock someone who pretends to care about a loss or an event long after it happened, or when their reaction is clearly performative rather than genuine.
పెండ్లికొడుకు కుంటి కుడికాలు చూచి, అత్త ఏడుస్తుంటే ఏడ్పులో ఏడ్పు ఎడమకాలుగూడ చూపమన్నాడట తోడిపెండ్లి కొడుకు.
pendlikoduku kunti kudikalu chuchi, atta edustunte edpulo edpu edamakaluguda chupamannadata todipendli koduku.
When the mother-in-law was crying seeing the groom's lame right leg, the best man suggested she might as well see the left leg too since she's already crying.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone adds more bad news or additional burdens to a person who is already grieving or overwhelmed. It highlights the insensitive nature of making a bad situation worse by revealing further complications under the guise of 'getting it all over with at once'.
వచ్చిన వాడు చచ్చినా పోదు.
vachchina vadu chachchina podu.
Calumny is not removed even by death.
This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.
Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.
ఆచారి గుట్టం బహు దొడ్డ గుట్టం, నామాల సంచి మోయలేక చచ్చె.
achari guttam bahu dodda guttam, namala sanchi moyaleka chachche.
The Achari's pride is a very great pride, but he died unable to carry the bag of holy clay.
This proverb is used to mock people who maintain a high sense of self-importance or social status (ego) but are unwilling or unable to perform even the simplest tasks associated with their position. It highlights the irony of having 'great' pride while failing at small responsibilities.