మూరెడు ముందుకు పోనేల, బారెడు వెనక్కురానేల?
muredu munduku ponela, baredu venakkuranela?
Why go forward by a cubit, only to come back by a fathom?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who takes a small step forward without proper planning, only to face a major setback or failure that pushes them much further back than where they started. It emphasizes the importance of foresight and cautious action to avoid unnecessary losses.
Related Phrases
వెన్ను మూరెడు, దంటు బారెడు.
vennu muredu, dantu baredu.
The ear of grain is a cubit long, but the stalk is a fathom long.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the overhead, effort, or waste (represented by the long stalk) far exceeds the actual result, profit, or utility (represented by the small ear of grain). It signifies disproportionate effort or high maintenance for a very small return.
మూరెడు ఇంట్లో బారెడు కర్ర
muredu intlo baredu karra
A stick two yards long in a room one cubit square. A defiant speech in answer to a threat.
This proverb describes a situation where an accessory or a solution is disproportionately larger or more complex than the actual problem or the space it occupies. It is used to mock inefficiency, poor planning, or when something is overly cumbersome for its intended purpose.
ముక్కు మూరెడు, సిగ బారెడు
mukku muredu, siga baredu
Nose is a cubit long, but the hair bun is a fathom long.
This expression is used to describe someone who exaggerates their appearance or qualities, or to describe an awkward/disproportionate situation. It often refers to a person who makes a mountain out of a molehill, or someone who focuses excessively on minor embellishments while the core reality is different.
మూరెడు పోనేల, బారెడు కుంగనేల
muredu ponela, baredu kunganela
Why advance a cubit, and sink a fathom ?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the effort put into progress is far outweighed by the resulting loss or setback. It critiques actions that are counterproductive or lack proper planning, leading to a net negative outcome. It is often used when someone tries to gain a little but ends up losing much more.
సిగబారెడు దండమూరెడు
sigabaredu dandamuredu
A yard of hair, but only a cubit of garland.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a significant disparity between the effort/status and the final result or reward. It specifically refers to someone having very long hair (a yard) but wearing a very short flower garland (a cubit), symbolizing inadequacy or a lack of proportion in decoration or appreciation.
ముక్కు మూరెడు, శిగ బారెడు
mukku muredu, shiga baredu
The nose is a cubit long, and the hair knot is a fathom long.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the secondary or decorative aspects of something far exceed the actual core or essential part. It is often used to criticize someone who over-exaggerates their features, spends excessively on trivialities, or when the cost/effort of maintenance outweighs the value of the object itself.
మూరెడెక్కేదెందుకు, బారెడు కుంగేదెందుకు
muredekkedenduku, baredu kungedenduku
Why climb a cubit just to sink a fathom?
This proverb is used to criticize actions that lead to temporary success followed by a much greater downfall. It advises against pursuing short-term gains or prideful actions that ultimately result in a significant loss or humiliation. It is similar to the idea of taking one step forward and two steps back.
బడాయి బారెడు, పొగచుట్ట మూరెడు
badayi baredu, pogachutta muredu
His arrogance is two yards long and his cheroot a cubit long.
This proverb is used to describe people who boast excessively or put on great displays of grandeur despite having very humble or meager means. It highlights the disparity between one's empty talk (bragging) and their actual reality or substance.
ఏరు మూరెడు తీస్తే, కయ్య బారెడు తీస్తుంది.
eru muredu tiste, kayya baredu tistundi.
When the river goes down a cubit, the water in the field goes down a fathom. If you lose a little in the favor of the great, you sink four times as much in the estimation of the people.
This proverb highlights how small negligence or a minor initial damage can lead to a much larger disaster. In agriculture, it specifically refers to how a small breach in a water channel (eru) can quickly result in the total destruction of the field (kayya) due to the force of the water. It is used to advise people to address problems while they are still small.
మూరెడు పొంగటం ఎందుకు, బారెడు కుంగటం ఎందుకు
muredu pongatam enduku, baredu kungatam enduku
Why swell up by a cubit, only to sink down by a fathom?
This proverb advises against extreme emotional swings and over-excitement. It questions the wisdom of becoming overly boastful or elated during success (a cubit) if one is going to fall into deep despair or humiliation (a fathom) later. It encourages maintaining equanimity and moderation in both success and failure.