ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
Even a mother cannot do the good that an onion does.
This is a popular Telugu proverb highlighting the immense health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate well-wisher, the medicinal and nutritional value of onions is so significant for the body that it surpasses even a mother's care in certain health aspects.
Related Phrases
అల్లి అడిగినది, ఇల్లి ఇచ్చినది, మల్లి మాయము చేసినది.
alli adiginadi, illi ichchinadi, malli mayamu chesinadi.
Alli asked for it, Illi gave it, Malli made away with it.
This is a humorous and rhythmic proverb used to describe a situation where multiple people are involved in a process, but the final outcome is a loss or a mystery. It highlights how something can vanish or be mismanaged when passed through different hands, often used when assets or items are squandered through lack of accountability.
* Il n'est orguell que de pauvre enrichl.
నీలి మాటలు, గాలి మూటలు
nili matalu, gali mutalu
Blue words, bundles of air
This expression refers to deceptive talk or empty promises that have no substance. 'Blue words' implies deceitful or fraudulent speech, while 'bundles of air' represents something that appears significant but is actually empty and worthless. It is used to describe someone who makes tall claims or tells lies that cannot be fulfilled.
ఉల్లి మల్లి కాదు, ఉంచుకున్నది పెళ్ళాం కాదు
ulli malli kadu, unchukunnadi pellam kadu
An onion is not a jasmine flower, and a mistress is not a wife.
This proverb is used to highlight that certain things have inherent limitations and can never replace the original or the ideal. Just as an onion's pungent smell can never match the fragrance of a jasmine, a temporary or illegitimate relationship cannot provide the status, stability, or respect of a legal marriage.
ఇల్లు గెలిచి రచ్చ గెలవాలి
illu gelichi rachcha gelavali
Win the house first, then win the assembly.
This proverb suggests that one should first achieve success or harmony within their own home and personal life before trying to achieve success or influence in the outside world or public affairs. It emphasizes that domestic stability is the foundation for public achievement.
అల్లి అడిగింది, ఇల్లి ఇచ్చింది, మల్లి మాయం చేసింది
alli adigindi, illi ichchindi, malli mayam chesindi
Alli asked, Illi gave, and Malli made it disappear.
This is a humorous and rhythmic proverb used to describe a situation where a resource or item passes through several hands rapidly and vanishes before the intended purpose is served or before the original owner can benefit. It often refers to mismanagement, lack of accountability, or a chain of events where something is quickly used up or lost.
రోకలి మూడు మాడలు
rokali mudu madalu
Three half-pagodas for a rice pounder. Said of any thing purchased at an exorbitant price.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the cost of a basic, inexpensive item or its maintenance is disproportionately high. It highlights irony or absurdity when something simple ends up being unnecessarily expensive or overvalued.
ఉల్లి ముట్టనిదీ వాసన రాదు
ulli muttanidi vasana radu
Unless you had touched the garlick [ your fingers ] would not have smelt.
This proverb is equivalent to 'There is no smoke without fire.' It suggests that rumors or accusations usually have some basis in truth, or that an effect must have a cause.
If you had not meddled with a bad business you would not have got a bad name. He who touches pitch defiles himself. ( Italian. )*
లోగుట్టు పెరుమాళ్ళకెరుక
loguttu perumallakeruka
The inner secret is known only to the Lord (Perumalla).
This expression is used to indicate that the hidden truth, internal secrets, or the real facts of a situation are known only to the divine or to those deeply involved, despite outward appearances. It is often used when someone is hiding their true problems or when the reality of a situation is much more complex than what is visible to the public.
ఉల్లి ముట్టనిదే వాసన రాదు
ulli muttanide vasana radu
Without touching an onion, the smell won't come.
This expression is used to suggest that there is no smoke without fire. It implies that a person wouldn't be accused or associated with a situation unless they had some involvement in it, or that every consequence has a specific root cause.
పిల్లి బ్రాహ్మణుడు, పీట ముత్తైదువ
pilli brahmanudu, pita muttaiduva
The cat is a Brahmin, and the low wooden stool is a married woman.
This expression is used to mock someone who puts on a false show of extreme piety, innocence, or virtue. It describes a hypocrite who pretends to be saintly while harboring deceitful intentions or having a questionable character.