మతిమీద మన్నుపోత, ఉప్పకు పోయి నిప్పలెత్తు.
matimida mannupota, uppaku poyi nippalettu.
Throwing mud on the mind, going for salt and bringing fire.
This expression describes a person who is extremely absent-minded, confused, or lacks common sense. It specifically refers to situations where someone is sent to perform a simple task (like getting salt) but ends up doing something entirely different or counterproductive (like bringing burning coals) because they are not focused or have 'mud on their brain'.
Related Phrases
మనిషిమీద పీడ మహిమీద పోయింది
manishimida pida mahimida poyindi
The evil/burden on the person has transferred to the earth.
This expression is used when a person narrowly escapes a misfortune or when an object is broken/lost instead of a person getting hurt. It signifies that the bad luck or evil eye intended for the person was absorbed by the earth or a material object, resulting in a sense of relief.
నిప్పుకు చెదలంటునా?
nippuku chedalantuna?
Can termites infect fire?
This expression is used to state that a person of high integrity, purity, or strength cannot be corrupted or harmed by petty accusations or external evils. Just as termites can destroy wood but are instantly consumed by fire, true virtue remains untouched by malice.
పాటిమీద దేవరకు కూటిమీదనే ఆలాపన
patimida devaraku kutimidane alapana
The deity on the mound always chants for food.
This proverb describes someone who is more interested in the perks or rewards of a job rather than the duty itself. It is used to mock people who pretend to be pious or professional but are actually focused solely on their personal gain or their next meal.
మడిచారు మీద మన్నుపోయి అటికెడు చారు బోర్ల పోయెనే
madicharu mida mannupoyi atikedu charu borla poyene
Mud fell into the bowl of rasam, and the whole pot of rasam overturned.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one misfortune is followed by a much larger catastrophe, or when a small loss leads to a total loss. It signifies a double whammy or a complete stroke of bad luck where not only is the immediate portion ruined, but the entire source or backup is also destroyed.
ఇంటికి వెన్నుపోటు, మనిషికి పైపోటు
intiki vennupotu, manishiki paipotu
A stab in the back for a house, and an outward strike for a person.
This expression is used to describe severe, multi-faceted betrayal or damage. 'Vennupotu' refers to betrayal from within (like family or close associates ruining a home), while 'Paipotu' refers to external attacks or physical/visible hardships hitting an individual. It signifies a situation where one is being attacked both from within and without.
కత్తిమీద సాము
kattimida samu
Fencing on a sword
This expression is used to describe a situation that is extremely risky, precarious, or requires great skill and caution to handle without causing a disaster. It is synonymous with 'walking on a tightrope' or 'skating on thin ice'.
ఉప్పుకు నిప్పు వలె
uppuku nippu vale
Like fire to salt
This expression is used to describe a relationship between two people or things that are highly incompatible or prone to sudden, violent conflict. Just as salt crackles and explodes when thrown into fire, this phrase characterizes a volatile, antagonistic, or 'cat and dog' relationship.
నిప్పులో ఉప్పు వేసినట్లు
nippulo uppu vesinatlu
Like throwing salt into the fire
This expression is used to describe someone who gets extremely irritated, flares up in anger, or reacts with instant agitation. Just as salt crackles and pops loudly when thrown into a fire, it refers to a person's explosive or sharp temper in response to a situation.
ఉట్టిమీద కూడు, ఊరిమీద నిద్ర
uttimida kudu, urimida nidra
Food on the high-slung basket, sleep on the village.
This expression describes a person who lives a carefree, irresponsible, or nomadic lifestyle without any domestic stability or worries. It refers to someone who eats whenever they find food (stored in an 'Utti' or rope-net basket) and sleeps wherever they happen to be in the village, essentially living without any definite home or plan.
వాడికీ వీడికీ నిప్పుకూ ఉప్పుకూ.
vadiki vidiki nippuku uppuku.
Between that person and this person, it is like fire and salt.
This expression is used to describe an extreme enmity or a state of constant conflict between two people. When salt is thrown into a fire, it crackles and pops aggressively; similarly, this phrase implies that the two individuals mentioned cannot be together without a clash or intense friction.