మెత్తనాళ్లు పోయినవి, చెత్తనాళ్లు వచ్చినవి

This expression refers to someone who takes an excessively long time to complete a simple task, returning only when the work is already finished or when the timing is no longer relevant. It is used to mock extreme procrastination or laziness.

Applied to a slow coach.

This proverb highlights that one can only exercise authority or manage affairs if they possess the necessary resources or capital. In an agricultural context, it means without seeds to sow, there is no farm to manage; in a broader sense, it implies that financial stability is the foundation of influence and leadership.

This expression is used to describe a transition from a period of prosperity, comfort, and easy living to a period of hardship, low quality, or unfavorable conditions. It highlights a decline in the standard or quality of life or circumstances.

This proverb is used to describe relationships or objects that are inherently sharp or harsh by nature. It suggests that just as a knife's purpose is to cut and it cannot be blunt or soft, a mother-in-law (in traditional contexts) is expected to be strict or demanding, and one should not expect otherwise.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme bad luck or irony where success and disaster occur simultaneously. It is used when a long-awaited positive outcome or reward is immediately neutralized or ruined by an unexpected calamity, leaving no chance to enjoy the fruits of one's labor.

This expression is used to describe the inevitable cycles of life. Just as nature transitions between dark nights and bright moonlit nights, human life alternates between periods of hardship and periods of happiness. It serves as a reminder to remain resilient during tough times and humble during good times, as neither state is permanent.

This proverb describes a person who neither does a good deed themselves nor allows others to do it. It is used to criticize dog-in-the-manger behavior where someone obstructs progress or charity despite having no intention of contributing themselves.

Said by a beggar of one from whom he generally received alms.

This expression refers to a situation where a minor nuisance or problem was dealt with, but the underlying relationship or the main issue remains intact. It is often used to describe how a small incident should not destroy a larger, significant bond or to show that a superficial change hasn't altered the fundamental situation.

This proverb is used to comment on coincidences, specifically when a new arrival in a family (like a daughter-in-law) is blamed or credited for significant events (like the birth of livestock or changes in fortune) that happen shortly after. It highlights how people often link luck or misfortune to a person's entry into the household.

This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a child's life. A mother is associated with food and taste (the tongue), meaning her absence leads to a lack of nourishment and care. A father is seen as the guide and protector (the eyes), meaning his absence leaves the family without direction or security in the world.