మసి పూసి మారేడు కాయ చేయడం
masi pusi maredu kaya cheyadam
Like smearing anything with lamp black and making it like a rose apple. Nêrêdu is the Eugenia ( Syzygium ) Jambolana. Deceit.
This expression is used to describe an act of deception where someone tries to hide the truth or cover up a flaw by making something appear as something else. It refers to a person using clever tricks or superficial changes to misrepresent a situation or fool others into believing a lie.
Related Phrases
కత్తి తీసి కంపలో వేసి ఏకు తీసి పొడుచుకుంటానన్నట్టు
katti tisi kampalo vesi eku tisi poduchukuntanannattu
Like a man throwing away the knife and threatening to kill himself with a flock of cotton. Saying and doing are two things.
This proverb is used to describe someone who avoids dealing with real problems or major challenges but makes a great fuss or drama over something trivial and harmless. It mocks a person who displays false bravado or reacts disproportionately to minor issues while ignoring the actual tools or solutions available to them.
మసిమీద మసి ఎక్కి కూర్చుంటే, మోసి మోసి చచ్చినాను అన్నాడట
masimida masi ekki kurchunte, mosi mosi chachchinanu annadata
" When a man gets up and sits on a man, the weight kills me" said he. A stupid lout was persuaded by his wife to go and hear the Rāmāyaṇa read as she thought it might improve his mind. While standing leaning his head on his stick, a scamp got upon his shoulders and sat there. The blockhead thought this was a necessary part of the performance. When he returned home he was asked how he liked the Rāmāyaṇa and replied as above.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be overworked or burdened when they are actually doing very little or carrying something weightless. It highlights the irony of those who complain about trivial efforts as if they were monumental tasks.
మనిషికి ఉన్నది పుష్టి, పశువుకి తిన్నది పుష్టి
manishiki unnadi pushti, pashuvuki tinnadi pushti
A man gets fat by doing nothing, a beast gets fat by eating.
This proverb contrasts the sources of well-being for humans and animals. It suggests that while cattle require physical fodder to grow strong and healthy, a human's strength or contentment often comes from their inner state, character, or the assets and support system they possess. It is used to emphasize that human fulfillment goes beyond mere physical consumption.
మూసి పెడితే పాసిపోయింది
musi pedite pasipoyindi
When covered, [the food] became bad. The evil consequences of a crime are aggravated by its con- cealment.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where something (like an idea, a skill, or even food) is kept unused or hidden for too long, causing it to lose its value, freshness, or relevance. It highlights that keeping things suppressed or inactive often leads to their decline.
చచ్చిన బిడ్డకు చేరెడు కండ్లు
chachchina biddaku cheredu kandlu
The dead child has eyes as large as palms.
This proverb is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities, virtues, or potential of something or someone only after they are lost or no longer exist. It highlights the human tendency to glorify the past or missed opportunities.
గోవులను కోసి చెప్పులు దానం చేసినట్లు
govulanu kosi cheppulu danam chesinatlu
Like killing cows and giving away sandals [made of the hide.]
This proverb refers to a person who commits a massive sin or causes great harm to achieve a very minor, insignificant act of charity or good. It highlights the hypocrisy and absurdity of trying to cover up a cruel act with a trivial righteous deed, or using unethical means to justify a small positive end.
Steal the goose, and give the giblets in alms.
ఆవాలు ముద్ద చేసినట్లు
avalu mudda chesinatlu
Like trying to make a lump out of mustard seeds
This expression is used to describe an impossible or extremely difficult task involving bringing together people or things that have a tendency to scatter or remain individualistic. Just as tiny, round mustard seeds roll away and cannot be easily formed into a solid ball, it refers to the difficulty of achieving unity or consensus among a group of disjointed entities.
పొదుగు కోసి పాలు తాగినట్లు
podugu kosi palu taginatlu
Like cutting the udder, and drinking the milk. Ruining one's self by ambition.
This expression describes a person who, in their greed for immediate gain, destroys the very source of their wealth or livelihood. It is used to criticize short-sighted actions that provide a small instant benefit but cause permanent loss.
మాసి పెద్ద మాసివున్నావు, బుద్ధి గాడిద బుద్ధివున్నది.
masi pedda masivunnavu, buddhi gadida buddhivunnadi.
To look at you are a great man, but you are a mean fellow at heart. Lit. You have the sense of an ass.
This expression is used to criticize someone who is physically grown up or looks like an adult but lacks maturity, common sense, or intelligence. It highlights the contrast between physical growth ('Masi Pedda') and foolish behavior ('Gadidha Buddhi').
ఆవాలు ముద్ద చేసినట్టు
avalu mudda chesinattu
Making mustard seed into a ball. An impossible combination.
This expression is used to describe an impossible or extremely difficult task. Mustard seeds are small, round, and slippery; trying to pack them together into a solid ball without a binding agent is futile. It signifies attempts to unify people or things that naturally tend to disperse or remain individualistic.