కుప్ప తగలబెట్టి పేలాలు వేయించుకుని తినేవాడు

kuppa tagalabetti pelalu veyinchukuni tinevadu

Translation

A man who sets fire to the whole heap and begins to eat parched grain. The work of a fool.

Meaning

This expression describes a person who causes a massive loss to someone else or to society for a very small, trivial personal gain. It highlights extreme selfishness and a lack of proportion.

Related Phrases

Like roasting popcorn in a cloth.

This expression is used to describe someone who is speaking extremely fast, incessantly, or angrily without giving others a chance to speak. Just as popcorn pops rapidly and noisily in a pan, this phrase characterizes a rapid-fire verbal delivery.

Like roasting pigeon peas in the loincloth.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is causing extreme discomfort, irritation, or restlessness to another person. It refers to a metaphorical state of being extremely bothered or being put in a very tight, prickly situation where one cannot sit still or remain calm.

Like a beggar asking for curd rice.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is in a desperate or dependent situation but still makes high demands or shows excessive fussiness. It refers to someone who lacks the basic means to survive yet expects luxuries or specific preferences that are beyond their current status.

Burning and rubbing on the ground. Annoying and ill-treating another.

This expression describes someone who is extremely shy, hesitant, or feeling guilty. It refers to the physical habit of dragging or twisting one's toes on the ground when they are too embarrassed to speak or face someone directly.

Behind the person who gathers and eats, followed the person who scrapes and eats.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is already poor or struggling is burdened by someone even worse off. It highlights the irony of a needy person being followed by someone seeking help from them, despite having nothing to give.

One who eats once a day is a Yogi, one who eats twice a day is a Bhogi, one who eats thrice a day is a Rogi

This traditional Telugu proverb highlights the health benefits of moderation in eating. It suggests that eating once a day leads to spiritual and physical discipline (Yogi), eating twice a day is for those enjoying a worldly life (Bhogi), while eating three or more times a day leads to sickness or a diseased state (Rogi).

Like burning the raft after crossing the river

This expression describes a person who displays extreme ingratitude or selfishness. It refers to someone who uses others' help or resources to overcome a difficult situation and then immediately discards or destroys those resources (or cuts ties with the helper) once their purpose is served, showing no regard for future needs or the kindness received.

If you get the leaf laid out first, you can eat whenever you want later.

In the context of traditional Indian dining where food is served on a leaf, this expression emphasizes the importance of securing your place or opportunity first. It is used to suggest that one should prioritize claiming a right, seat, or fundamental requirement, after which the actual task can be completed at one's own pace.

If the one who eats meat leaves, the one who eats bones will come.

This proverb is used to warn that if a bad person or a difficult situation is replaced, the successor might be even worse or more exploitative. It highlights the fear that the 'new' might be more desperate or damaging than the 'old'.

The mother neither gives food herself [to her child,] nor allows it to beg.

This proverb describes a dog-in-the-manger situation or a person who acts as a hindrance. It is used to describe someone who refuses to help you themselves, but also prevents you from seeking help or finding alternatives elsewhere, effectively leaving you helpless.