కొనేది కొయ్యగూర, తినేది చెంచలకూర
konedi koyyagura, tinedi chenchalakura
Buying amaranth, but eating water spinach.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a mismatch between what is expected or planned and what actually happens. It highlights inconsistency, deception, or the irony of someone claiming to do one thing while actually doing something of lesser value or something entirely different.
Related Phrases
చేని పంట కోయగానే తెలుస్తుంది.
cheni panta koyagane telustundi.
The stubble tells the produce of the field.
This expression is used to convey that the true outcome or success of a project can only be determined after it is fully completed, rather than by making early assumptions or predictions.
A slight acquaintance suffices to tell what a man is made of.
చెప్పేది చెవి దగ్గర, వినేది రోటి దగ్గర
cheppedi chevi daggara, vinedi roti daggara
The advice is given at the ear, but it is heard at the mortar.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is told something important or confidential, but they are distracted or completely ignoring the advice. It signifies that the listener is not paying attention, similar to someone leaning towards a grinding stone (mortar) while someone else is trying to whisper in their ear.
చెప్పింది చేయబోకురా, చేసేది చెప్పబోకురా.
cheppindi cheyabokura, chesedi cheppabokura.
Do not do what you have said; do not say what you are doing.
This proverb advises discretion and humility. It suggests that one should not brag or announce their intentions before acting (to avoid failure or interference), nor should one blindly follow spoken advice without evaluation. It is often used to emphasize that actions should speak louder than words and that true success is achieved through silent hard work.
తెడ్డు ఏది అంటే, కొయ్య ఏది అన్నట్టు
teddu edi ante, koyya edi annattu
One said " Where's the ladle ?" the other said " Where's the stick ?" Two lazy fellows.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives an irrelevant, evasive, or overly literal answer to a specific question. It highlights a lack of common sense or a deliberate attempt to avoid addressing the actual point by shifting the focus to the basic material or a different subject altogether.
తినేది గొడ్డు మాంసం, చేసేది దేవతార్చన.
tinedi goddu mamsam, chesedi devatarchana.
Eating beef while performing divine worship.
This proverb is used to describe hypocritical behavior where a person's private actions are base or unethical, while their public persona is one of extreme piety and virtue. It highlights the contradiction between a person's low character and their outward display of religious or moral superiority.
తినేది గొడ్డుమాంసం, చేసేది దేవతార్చన.
tinedi goddumamsam, chesedi devatarchana.
Eating beef while performing divine worship.
This proverb is used to describe a person's hypocrisy or double standards. It refers to someone who engages in sinful, forbidden, or low-quality actions in private or reality, while putting on an outward show of extreme piety, morality, or devotion.
రాసుకునేది నాకు, పూసుకునేది నీకు అన్నాడట
rasukunedi naku, pusukunedi niku annadata
'The rubbing is for me, and the applying is for you,' he said.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one person does all the hard work or labor (the 'rubbing' or preparation), while another person enjoys the final benefit or luxury (the 'applying' of the balm/paste). It highlights an unfair distribution of work versus reward.
రోజూ తినేది తిండి, భక్ష్యంతో తినేది భోజనం
roju tinedi tindi, bhakshyanto tinedi bhojanam
What is eaten every day is food, what is eaten with delicacies is a meal.
This expression highlights the distinction between basic sustenance and a grand, ceremonial feast. It is often used to differentiate between a routine task and a special, high-quality experience or to emphasize that something is truly complete only when it includes special elements.
చేను పంటను కొయ్యగానే చెబుతుంది.
chenu pantanu koyyagane chebutundi.
The crop tells its value as soon as it is harvested.
This expression is used to imply that the true outcome or success of an endeavor can only be accurately judged once the work is completed. Just as a farmer knows the actual yield only after harvesting the field, one should wait for final results before making claims or evaluations.
ఇంట్లో ఈగల మోత, బయట పల్లకీల మోత
intlo igala mota, bayata pallakila mota
The sound of flies inside the house, and the sound of palanquins outside.
This proverb is used to describe someone who maintains a grand, wealthy, or prestigious image in public but lives in poverty or miserable conditions privately. It highlights the contrast between external appearance and internal reality.