మూడింటికీ ముడివేస్తే ఏమీ లేదు
mudintiki mudiveste emi ledu
If you tie all three together, there is nothing left.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to balance or manage three different things simultaneously, but ends up failing at all of them or finding that they are incompatible. It highlights how over-complicating matters or being indecisive often leads to a zero result or total loss.
Related Phrases
మింటికి మంటికి ముడివేసినట్లు
mintiki mantiki mudivesinatlu
Like tying a knot between the sky and the earth
This expression is used to describe an impossible task, a highly exaggerated statement, or a clever person who can bridge two completely unrelated or extreme things through their talk or actions. It is often used to describe someone who spins tall tales or attempts to reconcile vast differences.
వేలికి వేస్తే మెలిక, కాలికి వేస్తే బంధం
veliki veste melika, kaliki veste bandham
If put on the finger it's a twist, if put on the leg it's a shackle.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or versatile in making excuses. It refers to a person who can adapt their behavior or arguments to any situation just to get their way—if you try to catch them one way, they twist out of it; if you try another, they bind you instead.
బట్టతలకూ మోకాళ్లకూ ముడివేసినట్టు
battatalaku mokallaku mudivesinattu
Like tying bald heads and knees in a knot. Said of a very cunning person.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to link two completely unrelated things or logic. It highlights an absurd comparison or a forced connection that makes no sense, as both a bald head and a knee are smooth and impossible to 'tie' together.
ఆశకు ముదిమిలేదు, ఆర్థికి సౌఖ్యంలేదు.
ashaku mudimiledu, arthiki saukhyamledu.
Desire has no old age, a beggar has no comfort.
This proverb highlights two human conditions: first, that human desires and greed never age or diminish even as the body gets old; second, that someone constantly seeking or begging for favors from others can never truly enjoy peace of mind or comfort, as they are always dependent on others' whims.
బిడ్డలేని ఇంటికి ఆవుదూడ ముద్దు, ఏమీలేని ఇంటికి ఎనుముదూడ ముద్దు
biddaleni intiki avududa muddu, emileni intiki enumududa muddu
A calf is precious to a childless home; a buffalo calf is precious to an empty home.
This proverb describes how people find value and companionship in lesser things when the most desired or ideal thing is missing. In a house without children, a cow calf is treated with love like a child. In a house with no assets or livestock at all, even a buffalo calf is considered a great treasure. It is used to highlight how one's circumstances define the value of what they possess.
ముడివేశాక ముండయినా ముతకయినా తప్పదు
mudiveshaka mundayina mutakayina tappadu
Once the knot is tied, whether it is a widow or a coarse person, one must bear it.
This proverb signifies that once a commitment or marriage is finalized, one must accept the consequences and the person involved, regardless of their flaws or the difficulties that arise. It is used to describe situations where a decision is irreversible and one must fulfill their responsibility despite dissatisfaction.
ఏ చంకనాకినా ఏమిలేదుగాని, ఏకుచంకనాకితే ఏగాని ఉంది.
e chankanakina emiledugani, ekuchankanakite egani undi.
No matter which armpit you lick, there is nothing; but if you lick the cotton armpit, there is a small coin.
This is a humorous yet cynical proverb used to describe someone who is extremely stingy, calculating, or desperate for tiny gains. It suggests that even in a situation where there is generally nothing to be found, a person might find a microscopic profit (an 'Egani' or small copper coin) by looking in the most unexpected or lowly places. It is often used to mock people who waste time on trivial, petty gains instead of focusing on significant work.
మూటికీ ముడివేస్తే, యేమీ లేదు.
mutiki mudiveste, yemi ledu.
If you join the three, there's nothing. Various interpretations are given.—One is that a man devoid of pride, modesty, and shame, cares for nothing.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where, despite having multiple options or resources, they are all squandered or rendered useless by trying to combine them poorly or through bad management. It often refers to the three basic needs (food, clothing, shelter) or three specific opportunities that result in zero gain when handled incorrectly.
ఏమిటికీ లేదు, మూడింటికీ ఎసరు.
emitiki ledu, mudintiki esaru.
Nothing for anything, but boiling water for three.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone gains nothing from their efforts, and instead, even the existing essential resources or people are put in jeopardy or lost. It signifies a total loss or a counterproductive outcome where one ends up worse off than before.
ఆకాశానికి వెంట్రుక ముడివేసినట్లు
akashaniki ventruka mudivesinatlu
Like tying a hair to the sky
This expression is used to describe an impossible or extremely difficult task that requires extraordinary precision or is practically unattainable. It often refers to attempting something that has no solid foundation or trying to achieve a goal through highly improbable means.