మెట్ల చప్పడేగాని, దోవ జరుగదు.
metla chappadegani, dova jarugadu.
Only the sound of footsteps is heard, but the journey does not progress.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a lot of noise, talk, or activity, but no actual progress or results are being achieved. It is similar to the English idiom 'All talk and no action'.
Related Phrases
కలలో జరిగింది ఇలలో జరుగదు
kalalo jarigindi ilalo jarugadu
What happened in a dream will not happen on earth (reality).
This expression is used to remind someone that dreams, fantasies, or unrealistic expectations do not translate to real-life outcomes. It serves as a grounded piece of advice to distinguish between imagination and the practical world.
చంకపిల్ల జారిపడేటట్టు మాట్లాడుతాడు
chankapilla jaripadetattu matladutadu
He speaks so as [to cause one] to let the child drop from the arms and fall.
This expression is used to describe someone who speaks extremely convincingly, enchantingly, or cunningly. It implies that their speech is so distracting or mesmerizing that one might lose focus on even the most important things they are holding, like a baby.
A deceiver. A honey tongue, a heart of gall. Bees that have honey in their mouths have stings in their tails.
నక్క గూసి పిల్లలకు దోవ తెచ్చును.
nakka gusi pillalaku dova techchunu.
The jackal howls and brings evil upon its whelps.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's own actions or unnecessary talk inadvertently brings trouble or danger upon themselves or their family. It highlights how a lack of discretion can lead to self-inflicted harm.
గట్టివాడేగాని కడుపుమాత్రం గుల్ల
gattivadegani kadupumatram gulla
He is a strong man, but his stomach is hollow.
This expression is used to describe someone who appears strong, tough, or influential on the outside, but lacks substance, resources, or internal strength. It is often used to refer to people who maintain a grand facade while being financially or intellectually empty.
త్రోవ దొరతనమెరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు.
trova doratanamerugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu.
The road does not know authority; sleep does not know luxury.
This proverb highlights that certain natural states or circumstances are indifferent to status or comfort. Traveling on a road requires effort regardless of one's social standing (authority), and when a person is truly exhausted, they will fall asleep regardless of how comfortable the bed is.
ఊరందరిది ఒక దోవ, ఉలిపి కట్టెది ఒక దోవ
urandaridi oka dova, ulipi kattedi oka dova
The whole village follows one path, while the stubborn stick follows another.
This proverb describes a person who is eccentric, stubborn, or non-conformist. It is used to point out someone who deliberately goes against the majority or refuses to follow common sense and social norms, often acting in a peculiar or contrary manner.
చస్తే చచ్చాడు గాని, చలిజ్వరం చప్పగా వదిలింది
chaste chachchadu gani, chalijvaram chappaga vadilindi
If he died, he died; but at least the shivering fever has left quietly.
This expression is used when a significant problem is resolved, even if the solution involves a loss or a drastic measure. It implies a sense of relief from a persistent nuisance, suggesting that the end of the trouble is worth the price paid, often used in a cynical or cold-hearted context regarding the removal of a burden.
పెండ్లికొడుకు మనవాడేగాని, చెవులపోగులు మాత్రం మనవిగావు.
pendlikoduku manavadegani, chevulapogulu matram manavigavu.
The bridegroom is ours, but his earrings are not ours.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone or something might be closely related to you or under your control, but the resources or assets they possess belong to someone else. It highlights the distinction between personal relationships and ownership of property, or a situation where one's authority is limited despite a close connection.
చతురతకు జాణగాడేగాని, చేతిలో చిల్లిగవ్వలేదు
chaturataku janagadegani, chetilo chilligavvaledu
He is a clever man in wit, but doesn't have a broken cowry shell in his hand.
This expression describes a person who is extremely eloquent, smart, or boastful in conversation but is actually penniless or lacks any real resources. It is used to mock someone who talks big despite being in a state of absolute poverty.
కుప్ప విత్తనాలు చప్పనారు
kuppa vittanalu chappanaru
Heaped seeds, tasteless sprouts
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of effort or resources are gathered at once, but the result is poor or unproductive. It implies that quantity does not guarantee quality, or that poor planning leads to a disappointing outcome despite having the raw materials.