ముడి బియ్యం తింటే ముప్పు గడుస్తుందా?
mudi biyyam tinte muppu gadustunda?
If one eats unpolished rice, will danger pass?
This proverb is used to criticize people who focus on trivial or small-scale changes (like diet) while ignoring major, imminent threats or problems. It implies that minor precautions cannot avert a significant calamity.
Related Phrases
కొట్టక ముందే ఏడుస్తావేమంటే, ముందు కొట్టబోతావని ఏడుస్తున్నానన్నట్లు
kottaka munde edustavemante, mundu kottabotavani edustunnanannatlu
When asked why you are crying before being hit, the reply is 'I am crying because you are about to hit me'
This expression refers to people who anticipate trouble or react to a situation before it even occurs. It is used to describe overly anxious behavior or someone who complains in advance to gain sympathy or avoid an impending consequence.
కాలు చెయ్యి ఉన్నంతకాలం కాలం గడుస్తుంది.
kalu cheyyi unnantakalam kalam gadustundi.
As long as hands and feet are working, time will pass.
This expression emphasizes the importance of physical health and self-reliance. It implies that as long as a person is physically capable and mobile, they can work, earn, and sustain themselves without depending on others.
కూలి చేస్తే గడవనిది కూర్చుంటే గడుస్తుందా?
kuli cheste gadavanidi kurchunte gadustunda?
If life doesn't pass even when working for wages, will it pass by sitting idle?
This proverb emphasizes the necessity of hard work and the reality of poverty. It means that if one's basic needs are barely met even through constant labor, they certainly cannot be met by remaining inactive. It is used to encourage someone to keep working or to highlight that there is no alternative to effort for survival.
ఉండేవాళ్లంతా ఉండగా, ఉపాధ్యాయుడి భార్యకు దడిబియ్యం.
undevallanta undaga, upadhyayudi bharyaku dadibiyyam.
[To perform the ceremony of] Dadi Biyyam to the priest's wife when there are many other things to be done. Dadi Biyyam is a ceremony performed before the consummation of marriage. Going out of your way to do something for others, and neglecting much that you have to do of your own.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where credit, resources, or honors are given to someone who is irrelevant or least deserving, while the people who actually did the work or have the primary right are ignored. It highlights the irony of misplaced priorities or favoritism.
పాతిక కోతి ముప్పాతిక బెల్లం తిన్నదట
patika koti muppatika bellam tinnadata
A quarter-sized monkey ate three-quarters of jaggery.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the maintenance, overhead, or secondary costs of an item far exceed the actual value of the item itself. It highlights disproportionate consumption or waste where a small entity consumes a large amount of resources.
అప్పు ముప్పు
appu muppu
Debt is danger
This proverb serves as a warning about the risks associated with borrowing money. It implies that being in debt brings unforeseen troubles, stress, and potential ruin to one's life. It is used to advise people to live within their means and avoid financial liabilities.
భాగ్యముంటే, బంగారం తింటారా?
bhagyamunte, bangaram tintara?
If one is wealthy, do they eat gold?
This proverb highlights the essential nature of basic necessities over luxury. It implies that no matter how rich a person is, they still need food to survive just like anyone else. It is used to humble those who are arrogant about their wealth or to remind people that money cannot satisfy every human need.
కాలు చేయి ఆడుతున్నంత కాలం కాలం గడుస్తుంది
kalu cheyi adutunnanta kalam kalam gadustundi
As long as legs and hands are moving, time passes (life goes on).
This expression means that as long as a person is physically healthy and capable of working, they can sustain themselves and live independently. It is often used to emphasize the importance of health and self-reliance in old age, suggesting that life is manageable as long as one is not bedridden or dependent on others for basic movement.
అర్థశేరు బియ్యం తింటావా అంటే మూడు మెతుకులు విడిచిపెడతానన్నాడట
arthasheru biyyam tintava ante mudu metukulu vidichipedatanannadata
When asked if he could eat half a seer of rice, he replied he would leave three grains behind.
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be humble or restrained but is actually extremely greedy or excessive. It mocks someone who makes a show of making a tiny sacrifice while already taking nearly everything for themselves.
పూట గడుస్తుంది గాని, మాట నిలిచిపోతుంది.
puta gadustundi gani, mata nilichipotundi.
The time of the day passes, but the word spoken remains.
This proverb emphasizes the lasting impact of words compared to the temporary nature of time. While moments pass and hardships are forgotten, a promise made or a hurtful word spoken stays in people's memories forever. It is used to advise someone to be careful with their speech and to honor their commitments.