లాభం గూబలోకి వచ్చింది, ఆవునెయ్యితో తలంటమన్నాట్ట
labham gubaloki vachchindi, avuneyyito talantamannatta
The profit went into the ear (meaning a loss), yet he ordered a head bath with cow ghee.
This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be successful or acts extravagantly even when they have suffered a significant loss or failure. It highlights the irony of showing off luxury while in a state of ruin.
Related Phrases
పూచింది పొడమంత, కాచింది గంపంత
puchindi podamanta, kachindi gampanta
Flowered as much as a small patch, but yielded a basketful.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small effort or a modest beginning leads to a surprisingly large or abundant result. It is often used to praise high productivity or unexpected success from minimal resources.
శిరోభారం ఎందుకొచ్చిందంటే ఆలి చెయ్యి తగిలిందన్నాడట
shirobharam endukochchindante ali cheyyi tagilindannadata
When asked why his head was heavy, he replied that his wife's hand touched it.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is looking for a petty or absurd excuse to avoid work or to find fault with someone else. It highlights the behavior of making mountains out of molehills or blaming innocent actions for one's own laziness or unrelated problems.
వెన్నతో కొట్టిన వానిని రాయితో కొట్టినట్లు
vennato kottina vanini rayito kottinatlu
Like hitting someone with a stone who previously hit you with butter.
This proverb is used to describe an act of extreme ingratitude or an unfair, harsh reaction to a kind gesture. It refers to a situation where a person responds to someone's gentleness or favor with cruelty or hostility.
వెంకి పెళ్లి సుబ్బి చావుకొచ్చింది
venki pelli subbi chavukochchindi
Venki's wedding led to Subbi's death
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's celebration or festive activity causes great trouble, misfortune, or even disaster for another person. It highlights unintended negative consequences that arise from someone else's joy.
లాభం గూబలలోకి వచ్చింది
labham gubalaloki vachchindi
The profit has come into the drums of the ears. A dealer in gāi suffering from the ear-ache put a little of it into his ears. This was all his profit. Applied to any unprofitable transaction.
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where an attempt to make a profit or gain an advantage has instead resulted in a heavy loss, physical punishment, or a stinging slap. It implies that the outcome was the opposite of what was desired.
లాభం గూబలోకి వచ్చినట్టు
labham gubaloki vachchinattu
The profit reached the earlobe.
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where instead of gaining a profit, one ends up suffering a loss or receiving a blow (physically or metaphorically). It is used when an expected benefit turns into a painful consequence or a 'slap in the face'.
కొరివితో తల గోక్కున్నట్లు.
korivito tala gokkunnatlu.
Scratching the head with the burning torch.
Doing something dangerous. One should avoid taking to dangerous paths to solve one’s problems, as they may lead to more troubles.
లాభం గూబలలోకి వచ్చింది
labham gubalaloki vachchindi
The profit has reached the ear cavities (temples)
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where an attempt to gain a profit or advantage instead results in a painful loss, physical injury, or a slap in the face. It highlights a deal or action that backfired completely.
ఉండి ఉండి వసంతమాడాలనుకుంటే అవ్వ ఎదురొచ్చింది
undi undi vasantamadalanukunte avva edurochchindi
When one finally decided to play with spring colors, an old woman came in front.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone finally decides to celebrate or do something joyful after a long wait, but is immediately met with an unexpected obstacle or an inappropriate person that spoils the mood or makes the action impossible. It highlights poor timing and bad luck.
ఒక పుట్టలో పెడితే వెయ్యి పుట్టల్లో వెళ్లకొచ్చేవాడు
oka puttalo pedite veyyi puttallo vellakochchevadu
If put in one anthill, he is the one who comes out of a thousand anthills.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely clever, resourceful, or cunning. It implies that no matter how much you try to contain or trap such a person in one place or situation, they have the ability to navigate through complex challenges and emerge from unexpected places.