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.
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.
తడిసి ముప్పందుం మోసినట్టు
tadisi muppandum mosinattu
Like carrying 30 Tûms ( 750 lbs. ) when you're wet.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a task that was already difficult becomes even more burdensome or complicated due to unforeseen circumstances. 'Muppandum' refers to a specific heavy measure of grain; when it gets wet, it becomes significantly heavier and harder to carry, symbolizing added trouble.
చావుకు వెరచి చాటుకు వెళ్తే, మిత్తి వచ్చి ముందర కూర్చున్నదట
chavuku verachi chatuku velte, mitti vachchi mundara kurchunnadata
When one hid fearing death, the deity of death came and sat right in front.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to avoid a specific problem or danger, only to find themselves facing an even bigger problem or the exact same fate they were trying to escape. It is similar to the English expression 'Out of the frying pan into the fire.'
మేమే అంటే, మేడలెక్కి కూర్చున్నాడట.
meme ante, medalekki kurchunnadata.
When they said 'Me-me' (bleating), he went and sat on the terrace.
This proverb is used to describe someone who takes a suggestion or a sound too literally or acts with over-enthusiasm based on a misunderstanding. In Telugu, 'Me-me' is the sound a goat makes, but it can also be misinterpreted as 'Me' (upstairs/above) in certain dialects or contexts. It mocks someone who behaves foolishly by jumping to conclusions or seeking a higher status without cause.
రామాయణమంటే ఏమో అనుకున్నాను గానీ, మోత బరువు ఉన్నది అన్నాడట
ramayanamante emo anukunnanu gani, mota baruvu unnadi annadata
When I heard of the Râmâyana I did not know what it was, but [I find] it is the weight of a man.
This expression describes a person who completely misses the intellectual or spiritual essence of a subject and only notices its physical or superficial aspect. It is used to mock someone who shows ignorance despite being exposed to something profound or great.
అందరూ అందలం ఎక్కితే, మోసేవారు ఎవరు?
andaru andalam ekkite, mosevaru evaru?
If all get into the palankin, who will be the bearers ? You a lady, I a lady, who is to drive out the sow? (Ollician.)
This proverb highlights the necessity of a social hierarchy and division of labor. It implies that if everyone wants to be the leader or hold a position of comfort and authority, no one will be left to do the actual work. It is used when everyone in a group expects to be served or wants a high-status role without contributing effort.
పేరు ప్రన్న మోసింది, కాళ్లు నేల మోశాయి
peru pranna mosindi, kallu nela moshayi
His name is borne by the Penna, and his body by the ground. Said of a wretched fellow with a great name.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation or name is very grand and famous, but their actual physical presence or lifestyle remains humble and grounded. It can also imply that while someone's name is known far and wide, they are still doing the hard work themselves.
Fame is a magnifying glass. * Adó pensas que hay tocino, no hay estacas.
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.
తడిసి ముప్పందం మోసినట్టు
tadisi muppandam mosinattu
Like carrying a three-layered rope that has become soaked.
This proverb describes a situation where an already difficult task becomes significantly more burdensome due to unfavorable circumstances. Just as a heavy rope becomes much heavier and harder to carry when it absorbs water, it refers to problems that compound or get 'heavier' over time.
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').