కోకకు బెట్టిన గంజి కూడిరాదు
kokaku bettina ganji kudiradu
The starch applied to a saree does not come back to be eaten.
This expression is used to describe an irreversible expenditure or investment. Just as starch used to stiffen a saree cannot be recovered or consumed as food (porridge) again, money or resources spent on certain luxuries or temporary needs cannot be reclaimed for essential purposes.
Related Phrases
దున్నిన పొలానికీ తాగిన గంజికీ సరి
dunnina polaniki tagina ganjiki sari
The rice water which he drank was equivalent to the field which he ploughed. Pay proportionate to labor.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the effort or investment put into a task is exactly equal to the reward or result gained, leaving no profit or surplus. It refers to a break-even scenario or a hand-to-mouth existence where one works just enough to survive.
నోటి వక్రం గంజి పెడమూట
noti vakram ganji pedamuta
Crooked mouth, and the rice water is in a tied bundle.
This proverb describes a situation where everything is going wrong or being done incorrectly. It refers to a person who lacks the skill to do a job (crooked mouth) trying to perform a task in a ridiculous or impossible way (tying liquid rice water in a bundle). It is used to mock incompetence or a series of unfortunate, self-inflicted blunders.
స్వర్గానికి బెత్తెడు
svarganiki bettedu
There is only a span between you and heaven. Said ironically to a hypocrite.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme pride, arrogance, or overwhelming joy where a person feels superior or 'on top of the world'. It implies that the person is so conceited or elated that they feel they have almost reached heaven.
ఎండకు బెట్టిన టోపీ వడగండ్ల కాగునా
endaku bettina topi vadagandla kaguna
Will a hat meant for the sun withstand a hailstorm?
This proverb is used to explain that something designed for a minor or common problem cannot withstand a much larger or more severe crisis. It highlights the inadequacy of weak defenses or small solutions when faced with extreme challenges.
నోటి గుట్టం గంజి పెడమూట
noti guttam ganji pedamuta
[ By ] a slip of the mouth, a bundle of food on the back. In Ujjayini ( Ougein ) there lived a merchant called Diptimanta. He went to Jångala to trade. There he met another merchant named Vivēka- manta who on one occasion said to him " Tell me a story that is not known in the world, that has not come to your ears, and that I have not heard." After being twitted often by Diptimanta on account of his inability to comply with this unreasonable request, Vivēkamanta undertook to per- form the task, provided Diptimanta should not pronounce his story to be false, and in the event of his doing so, should pay him 100 pagodas. Dip- timanta having agreed, Vivēkamanta said " On one occasion my great grand-father Vanikpati when going to trade in another country met your great grand-father Prithikpati and they entered into partnership. Shortly afterwards they reached a spot where grew a large and beautiful Banyan tree near which was a tank. Liking the place, they agreed that Vanikpati should remain there and sell the goods which Prithikpati would send him from another country. This was carried on for some time and afterwards when they met and compared their accounts, it was found that Prithikpati was in Vanikpati's debt 100 pagodas. For long I have sought you," added Vivēkamanta, " and now I beg you will pay me the balance due." Dipti- manta being unable to deny the truth of the story lest he should incur the forfeit, was compelled to pay the 100 pagodas, and beg his way to his own country, carrying what food was given to him in a bundle on his back. Some people who met him enquired what bundle he was carrying, to which he replied " By a slip of the mouth, have I been reduced to carry a bundle of food on my back." The evil consequences of an idle word.
This proverb describes a person who prioritizes idle talk or gossip over their basic needs or duties. It refers to someone who spends their time talking so much that they neglect their food or work, effectively 'carrying their meal' away while their mouth remains busy.
కూడు వండుట గంజి కొరకా?
kudu vanduta ganji koraka?
Is the rice cooked just for the sake of the starch water?
This proverb is used to point out when someone focuses on a minor byproduct or a trivial secondary outcome while ignoring the main objective. It suggests that one shouldn't perform a major task just for a small, insignificant benefit.
వన్నెకాని గంజి ఈగలపాలు.
vannekani ganji igalapalu.
The gruel of a showy person becomes the share of flies.
This proverb refers to people who are overly concerned with outward appearances or vanity but neglect the essence of their work or resources. It suggests that if someone wastes time being pretentious instead of being practical, their efforts or possessions will go to waste or be enjoyed by undeserving entities (like flies on spilled food).
గంజి తాగినా, లంజ కావాలి
ganji tagina, lanja kavali
Even if one only drinks porridge, they still want a concubine.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who lacks basic necessities or lives in poverty but still harbors expensive, immoral, or luxury-seeking desires. It highlights the irony of having high demands or vices without having the means to fulfill basic needs like food.
అప్పులేని గంజి దొప్పెడే చాలు
appuleni ganji doppede chalu
A small bowl of gruel without debt is enough.
This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that living a humble or simple life within one's means is far superior to living luxuriously on borrowed money. It is used to advise someone to prioritize financial independence and contentment over superficial status.
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'.