మున్నూరు వరహాలు పోయె, మూతిమీసాలు పోయె, నంబి సోమయాజులు అన్న
munnuru varahalu poye, mutimisalu poye, nambi somayajulu anna
Three hundred gold coins were lost, the mustache was lost, and they still called him Nambi Somayajulu.
This proverb describes a situation where someone undergoes a significant sacrifice or suffers a heavy loss to achieve a certain status or goal, but despite the sacrifice, the end result is humiliating or they are still addressed by a lesser title. It is used to mock situations where one loses both wealth and dignity for a futile outcome.
Related Phrases
చూపితే మానం పోయె, చూపక పోతే ప్రాణం పోయె
chupite manam poye, chupaka pote pranam poye
If shown, honor is lost; if not shown, life is lost.
This expression describes a critical dilemma or a 'catch-22' situation where every available option leads to a negative outcome. It is traditionally used in contexts like a medical emergency involving a modest person, or any situation where one must choose between a loss of dignity and a loss of life/safety.
హంస నడకలు రాకపోయె, కాకి నడకలు మరిచిపోయె.
hamsa nadakalu rakapoye, kaki nadakalu marichipoye.
Could not learn the swan's gait, and forgot the crow's gait.
This expression refers to a situation where someone tries to imitate others' superior skills or lifestyle but fails to master them, while simultaneously losing their own natural abilities or original identity. It is used to describe someone who ends up 'nowhere' by trying to be someone they are not.
సరువ తప్పేల పోయె, బరువు అలకనాయె
saruva tappela poye, baruvu alakanaye
The cooking vessel is lost, and the burden has become light.
This proverb describes a situation where a loss or a negative event results in an unexpected relief or a reduction in responsibility. It is used when someone loses something valuable or essential but finds comfort in the fact that they no longer have to carry the burden or worry associated with it.
రానూ వచ్చె, పోనూపోయే, రాగులు విసరి సంకటి చేయండి అన్నాట్ట
ranu vachche, ponupoye, ragulu visari sankati cheyandi annatta
He came, he stayed, and then he said, 'Grind the finger millets and make porridge'.
This expression describes a person who overstays their welcome and begins to demand things or act as if they are the head of the household despite being a guest. It is used to mock someone who doesn't know when to leave and instead starts imposing their needs on others.
గుడిలో లింగం పోతే నంబి శంఠం పోయినట్లు
gudilo lingam pote nambi shantham poyinatlu
If the Shiva Lingam is gone from the temple, it is like the priest's livelihood is lost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the loss of a core entity or person results in the loss of relevance or livelihood for those dependent on it. It highlights that certain roles only have value as long as the central object of their service exists.
చిన్ననాడే పోయె, పరుపు పందిట్లో పోయె, కొరవా సరవా ఉంటే అన్నాడట.
chinnanade poye, parupu panditlo poye, korava sarava unte annadata.
Lost in childhood, lost in the wedding pandal, if there is anything left, let me know.
This proverb is used to mock someone who is extremely irresponsible or careless. It refers to a person who has wasted or lost everything they owned at different stages of life, yet still asks if there is anything remaining to squander. It describes a state of total loss due to negligence.
ఉన్నదీ పోయె, ఉంచుకొన్నదీ పోయె
unnadi poye, unchukonnadi poye
What one had is gone, and what one kept (or acquired) is also gone.
This expression describes a situation where a person loses their original possessions or status while unsuccessfully trying to gain something more. It is used to caution against excessive greed or poor decision-making that results in a total loss of both the old and the new.
వర్లి వర్లి వాడు పోయె, వండుకు తిని వీడు పోయె
varli varli vadu poye, vanduku tini vidu poye
One died after constant worrying, while the other died after cooking and eating.
This proverb is used to illustrate the unpredictability of life and death. It suggests that whether one lives in constant anxiety and hardship or lives comfortably and enjoys life, the end (death) is inevitable for everyone. It is often used to advise against excessive worrying about the future or to point out that fate eventually catches up to everyone regardless of their lifestyle.
ముందు వచ్చినందుకు మున్నూరు వరహాలు దండుగ, మళ్లీ యేల వచ్చినావే మాయధారి తొత్తా
mundu vachchinanduku munnuru varahalu danduga, malli yela vachchinave mayadhari totta
When you came before you cost me three hundred pagodas, why have you come again, you deceitful jade ? A man married a bad wife. After getting 300 pagodas' worth of jewels from him she went off to her mother's house and left her husband to shift for himself. After some time, the jewels having been sold and the proceeds spent, she returned to try her old trick, whereupon the husband accosted her as above.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a previous interaction or investment resulted in a significant loss, yet the source of that loss returns to cause further trouble. It is typically used to express frustration toward someone who has already caused harm or waste and is now reappearing, implying that their presence is neither wanted nor beneficial.
నూరు వరహాలకు నూలుపోగన్నట్లు
nuru varahalaku nulupogannatlu
Like a single thread of cotton for a hundred gold coins.
This expression is used to describe a token contribution or a small gesture made towards a large cause or expense. It signifies that even a tiny contribution (the thread) counts as a symbolic participation or 'blessing' when a massive task or expense (the hundred gold coins) is being undertaken. It is often used when one gives a small gift during a grand event to show their presence and goodwill.