కొండమంగలి గొరిగినట్టు

This proverb is used to describe a situation where small-minded or insignificant people criticize or mock someone far superior or powerful. It implies that the superior person (the elephant) is unaffected by the noisy, futile criticisms (the barking dogs) and continues on their path with dignity.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes a drastic, irreversible, or disproportionately large step for a very temporary or minor benefit. It highlights lack of foresight and the foolishness of sacrificing something permanent for a fleeting moment.

This expression refers to activities that are done routinely or mechanically without much thought or specialized effort because they are part of one's inherent nature or daily trade. It is used to describe tasks that are performed as a matter of course or things that are inevitable and expected based on a person's role.

This expression is used to describe a job that is done extremely poorly, clumsily, or incompletely. It refers to someone who lacks the necessary skill or patience, resulting in a 'patchy' or disastrous outcome, much like a barber who leaves tufts of hair everywhere.

This proverb describes a situation where an idle person engages in useless, absurd, or counterproductive activities just to keep themselves busy. It is used to mock someone who performs unnecessary tasks out of boredom or lack of real work.

A man pretending to be fully employed.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is putting on a show of success or celebration despite being surrounded by ruin or failure. It mocks a person who acts grandly while their basic environment or affairs are in shambles, similar to a house with a leaking roof (choorumangalam) having a grand celebration (jayamangalam) inside.

This proverb describes someone who, out of boredom or lack of productive work, engages in useless, absurd, or counterproductive activities. It is used to mock people who waste their time on tasks that serve no purpose or might even cause unnecessary trouble.

This expression describes a cunning or deceitful person who spends a small amount of money or effort as a bait to swindle someone out of a massive fortune. It is used to warn others about manipulative individuals who use minor favors to gain trust before committing a major fraud.

This proverb refers to traditional preferences in village life: a barber's razor or tools are considered better when they are 'old' (well-seasoned/tested), whereas a washerman is judged by how 'new' (clean/fresh) the clothes look. It is used to describe how different professions or situations require different standards—some value experience and age, while others value freshness and appearance.

This expression is used to describe a job that is done extremely poorly, inconsistently, or left half-finished. Just as a barber on a mountain might do a rough and uneven job due to lack of proper tools or skill, it refers to any work that is messy and unprofessional.