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.
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.
వట్టి చెయ్యి మూర వేస్తే, యేమి ఫలము?
vatti cheyyi mura veste, yemi phalamu?
If you measure cubits with an empty hand, what is the use of it? i. e. what is the use of measuring the air.
This proverb is used to point out the futility of performing actions on something that doesn't exist or has no substance. Just as measuring empty air with one's arm (a cubit) yields nothing, planning or calculating based on non-existent resources or empty promises is useless.
Vain hopes.
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.
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.
ఆశలేని కూటికి ఆకలి లేదు
ashaleni kutiki akali ledu
There is no appetite for food unhoped for.
This expression suggests that if you have no interest or hope in obtaining something, you won't feel the need or 'hunger' for it. It is used to describe a state of indifference or detachment, where the lack of expectation leads to a lack of desire.
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.
నోటికీ చేతికీ ఎంగిలి లేదు
notiki chetiki engili ledu
No pollution is caused by the hand being put in the mouth. Engili literally means saliva. Said by a careless Brahman.
This expression refers to someone who is extremely stingy or miserly. It describes a person who does not even eat properly (to avoid spending) nor do they ever offer a single morsel of food to others. It is used to criticize someone's lack of charity and their extreme parsimony.
ఆవు ఎక్కడ తిరిగితేనేమి ఇంటికి వచ్చి కడి వేస్తే చాలు
avu ekkada tirigitenemi intiki vachchi kadi veste chalu
It doesn't matter where the cow wanders, as long as it returns home and gives a pot of milk.
This proverb is used to emphasize that as long as the final result or output is successful, the methods, travels, or intermediate steps taken do not matter. It is often applied to people who travel for work or wander about, suggesting that their safe return and contribution to the household are the primary concerns.
అన్నీ తెలిసినవాడూ లేడు, ఏమీ తెలియనివాడూ లేడు.
anni telisinavadu ledu, emi teliyanivadu ledu.
There is no one who knows everything, there is no one who knows nothing.
This expression emphasizes humility and the vastness of knowledge. It suggests that no single person is an absolute expert in every field, nor is anyone completely devoid of any knowledge or skills. It is used to remind people that everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to offer.
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.