మీను మ్రింగిన గ్రుక్కెడుతో మున్నీటికి కొరత ఏర్పడుతుందా?
minu mringina grukkeduto munnitiki korata erpadutunda?
Will the ocean face a shortage just because a fish swallowed a gulp of water?
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small loss or a minor consumption does not affect a vast resource or a wealthy person. It signifies that the actions of an insignificant individual cannot diminish the greatness or abundance of something immense. It is often used to dismiss petty thefts or minor expenses in the context of large organizations or very rich individuals.
Related Phrases
ముక్కెడి ముక్కకు తక్కెడు బంగారం
mukkedi mukkaku takkedu bangaram
A balance-scale full of gold for a tiny piece of nose.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the cost or effort of a repair or maintenance far exceeds the value of the original object itself. It refers to spending excessively on something small or trivial.
గుడ్డివాడి చేతి నూలు కదుట్లో పడుతుందో దిండులో పడుతుందో.
guddivadi cheti nulu kadutlo padutundo dindulo padutundo.
Whether the thread in a blind man's hand falls on the spindle or on the pillow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the outcome is purely a matter of chance or luck rather than skill or certainty. It refers to an unpredictable result where one cannot be sure if an effort will hit the target or miss it completely.
కదళి మ్రింగువాడు గరళంబు మ్రింగునా?
kadali mringuvadu garalambu mringuna?
Will one who swallows a banana swallow poison?
This expression is used to highlight a contradiction in behavior or expectations. It suggests that someone who enjoys or is accustomed to pleasant, sweet things (symbolized by the banana) would never knowingly consume something destructive or lethal (symbolized by poison). It is often used to question why someone would choose a harmful path when they know what is good.
ఆడపడుచు కొరతా, అడ్డగోడ కొరతా తీరదు.
adapaduchu korata, addagoda korata tiradu.
The demands of a sister-in-law and the repairs of a partition wall never end.
This proverb is used to describe tasks or expenses that are never-ending. It compares the constant demands for gifts or attention from a husband's sister (aadapaduchu) to the perpetual maintenance required for a mud partition wall, which constantly develops cracks or needs patching.
ఏనుగులు మ్రింగిన ఎల్లమ్మకు పీనుగులు పిప్పళ్ళు.
enugulu mringina ellammaku pinugulu pippallu.
For Ellamma who swallowed elephants, corpses are like pepper seeds.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has committed massive frauds or handled enormous tasks, for whom smaller wrongdoings or minor challenges are trivial. It signifies that someone who has dealt with something huge will find small things insignificant or easy to handle.
చుక్కెదురు
chukkeduru
Facing the star
This expression is used to describe a situation where one encounters a complete setback, total failure, or an unfavorable outcome. Historically, it refers to an astrological belief where traveling in a direction facing a specific star (Sukra/Venus) was considered an ill omen. In modern usage, it signifies facing strong opposition or a disappointing refusal.
ఈగను కప్ప మ్రింగితే కప్పను పాము మ్రింగును.
iganu kappa mringite kappanu pamu mringunu.
If a frog swallows a fly, a snake will swallow the frog.
This proverb illustrates the concept of the food chain and the 'law of the jungle'. It signifies that there is always someone more powerful or a bigger threat waiting to overcome those who prey on the weak. It is used to remind people that actions have consequences and that arrogance of power is temporary.
చెరువును మూకుడుతో మూయలేము
cheruvunu mukuduto muyalemu
You cannot cover a lake with a clay lid.
This proverb is used to describe an impossible or futile task. It emphasizes that major problems or massive truths cannot be hidden or solved with small, inadequate measures. Just as a small lid cannot cover an entire lake, significant situations require appropriately scaled solutions or cannot be suppressed by trivial efforts.
నీరుండేదాకా మీను మిట్టిపడుతుంది
nirundedaka minu mittipadutundi
As long as there is water, the fish will leap and jump about.
This proverb describes someone who acts arrogant, bold, or powerful only because they have support or favorable circumstances. Just as a fish loses its ability to jump once the water is gone, such people lose their influence and become helpless once their support system or resources are removed. It is used to remind someone that their current pride is temporary and dependent on their environment.
గడ్డగడ్డకు గ్రుక్కెడు నీళ్ళు తాగినా, రెడ్డే వ్యవసాయం చెయ్యాల
gaddagaddaku grukkedu nillu tagina, redde vyavasayam cheyyala
Even if one drinks a mouthful of water at every lump of earth, only a Reddi (farmer) should do the farming.
This proverb highlights that agriculture is an extremely grueling and laborious task that requires immense patience, physical stamina, and hereditary skill. It suggests that despite the hardships and thirst involved in tilling the soil, only those traditionally dedicated to the craft can truly succeed at it.