మంది పలుచనైతే, గంజి చిక్కన అవుతుంది.
mandi paluchanaite, ganji chikkana avutundi.
If the crowd becomes thin, the porridge becomes thick.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where fewer people sharing a limited resource results in a larger or better portion for each individual. It is often used in a sarcastic or cynical context to suggest that having fewer people around (or less competition) is beneficial for personal gain.
Related Phrases
పైరు పలుచనైతే పాతళ్ళు నిండుతవి, మెండైతే వాములు దండి
pairu paluchanaite patallu nindutavi, mendaite vamulu dandi
If the crop is sparse, the underground pits fill up; if it is dense, the haystacks will be abundant.
This agricultural proverb explains the trade-off in grain production. When plants are spaced out (sparse), each plant produces heavy, high-quality grain that fills storage pits (pāthallu). When the crop is dense, there is more vegetation leading to larger haystacks (vāmu), but the grain yield per plant might be less. It is used to suggest that quality or quantity can vary based on density and resource distribution.
వాడి మాట పిండికీ అవుతుంది, పిడుక్కూ అవుతుంది
vadi mata pindiki avutundi, pidukku avutundi
His speech will answer for flour or for a thunderbolt. Said of an ambiguous speech.
This expression is used to describe a person who speaks with clever ambiguity or doublespeak. Their words are crafted in such a way that they can be interpreted in two completely different ways depending on the outcome, allowing them to claim they were right regardless of what happens.
ఎవరు ఏమి చేసినా, ఇంటికి ఆలు అవుతుందా, దొంతికి కడవ అవుతుందా?
evaru emi chesina, intiki alu avutunda, dontiki kadava avutunda?
Will any service rendered by another be as a wife to the house or a pot for the pile? Said by a man whose wife has died or gone astray. ఏ.
This proverb is used to say that outsiders or guests can never replace the core, essential members of a household or the fundamental components of a system. Just as a temporary visitor cannot take the place of a wife in managing a home, or a random vessel cannot replace the foundational pot (kadava) in a traditional stack (donti), some roles are unique and irreplaceable.
గోరంత అంత కండి కొండవుతుంది
goranta anta kandi kondavutundi
A small grain becomes a mountain
This expression is used to describe a situation that starts as a minor issue but escalates into a major problem, or when someone exaggerates a tiny matter into something significant. It is similar to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.
అంటే ఆరడి అవుతుంది, అనకుంటే అలుసవుతుంది.
ante aradi avutundi, anakunte alusavutundi.
If spoken, it becomes a scandal; if not spoken, it becomes a source of contempt.
This proverb describes a 'catch-22' or a dilemma where a person is stuck between two bad options. It is used when pointing out a mistake might lead to public embarrassment or unwanted drama (aaradi), but staying silent might lead others to take one's patience for granted or treat them with disrespect (alusu).
పాలు చిక్కనైతే వెన్న వెక్కసము
palu chikkanaite venna vekkasamu
If the milk is thick, the butter will be excessive.
This proverb implies that when resources or ingredients are abundant and of high quality, the final result or output will be even more plentiful. It is used to describe situations where a strong foundation naturally leads to an overflowing or excellent outcome.
పాపమని పాలుపోస్తే, పలుచనని పారబోసినాడట.
papamani paluposte, paluchanani parabosinadata.
When milk was given out of pity, he poured it out saying it was too thin.
This proverb describes someone who is ungrateful or overly critical of an act of kindness. It is used when a person receives help or a gift but instead of being thankful, they find minor faults in it and reject or complain about it.
ఒక్కొక్క చినుకే వాన అవుతుంది.
okkokka chinuke vana avutundi.
Each individual drop becomes a rain.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Every little bit helps' or 'Many a mickle makes a muckle.' It signifies that small, consistent efforts or contributions accumulate over time to create a significant result. It is often used to encourage saving money or persistent effort in learning.
నయాన కానిపని, భయాన అవుతుంది
nayana kanipani, bhayana avutundi
Work that cannot be done with kindness, will be done through fear
This expression is used to suggest that when gentle persuasion, politeness, or soft tactics fail to achieve a result, the use of authority, threats, or fear becomes necessary to get the job done. It highlights the shift from a 'carrot' approach to a 'stick' approach.
ఉల్లి మల్లి అవుతుందా, ఉంచుకున్నది పెళ్ళాం అవుతుందా?
ulli malli avutunda, unchukunnadi pellam avutunda?
Will an onion ever become a jasmine flower? Will a mistress ever become a wife?
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to express the idea that things have an inherent nature or status that cannot be changed. It suggests that a substitute or an informal arrangement can never truly replace or equate to the original, formal, or sanctified version of something. It is often used to emphasize that some boundaries or social roles are permanent.