నల్లి నలిగింది, పొత్తు పోలేదు

nalli naligindi, pottu poledu

Translation

The bug is crushed but the remains are not to be seen. Robbers' slang, referring to a murdered man.—Chetta means literally 'rubbish,' 'sweepings.'

Meaning

This expression refers to a situation where a minor nuisance or problem was dealt with, but the underlying relationship or the main issue remains intact. It is often used to describe how a small incident should not destroy a larger, significant bond or to show that a superficial change hasn't altered the fundamental situation.

Related Phrases

When a bowl of gruel was offered out of pity, he left in a huff complaining it had no salt.

This proverb is used to describe an ungrateful person who, despite being in a desperate situation and receiving help, finds trivial faults in the assistance provided. It highlights the irony of a beggar or someone in need being choosy or demanding when receiving charity.

Getting into a pet with the tank, he would not wash his feet in it.

This proverb describes a situation where someone's spiteful or stubborn actions only end up hurting themselves rather than the person or thing they are angry with. It is used when a person boycotts something essential out of spite, resulting in their own disadvantage.

When a man grows angry, his reason rides out.

The days of bedding are gone, the days of straw have come. The reverses of fortune.

This expression is used to describe a transition from a period of prosperity, ease, or high quality to a period of hardship, low quality, or difficult times. It signifies that the 'golden days' are over and one must now deal with inferior or challenging circumstances.

Alli asked for it, Illi gave it, Malli made away with it.

This is a humorous and rhythmic proverb used to describe a situation where multiple people are involved in a process, but the final outcome is a loss or a mystery. It highlights how something can vanish or be mismanaged when passed through different hands, often used when assets or items are squandered through lack of accountability.

* Il n'est orguell que de pauvre enrichl.

The soft/gentle days are gone, and the trashy/difficult days have arrived.

This expression is used to describe a transition from a period of prosperity, comfort, and easy living to a period of hardship, low quality, or unfavorable conditions. It highlights a decline in the standard or quality of life or circumstances.

By the time the rich man opened his corn bin, the poor man had died.

This expression is used to describe a situation where help arrives too late to be of any use. It highlights the inefficiency or delay of those in power or wealth to provide relief to those in desperate need, rendering the assistance meaningless once the damage is already done.

By weeping at the good fortune of another he lost one eye, and by weeping at his own ill fortune he lost the other.

This proverb highlights the destructive nature of envy and self-pity. It suggests that being jealous of others' success and constantly lamenting one's own misfortunes leads to total ruin and loss of perspective. It is used to advise people to focus on their own growth rather than comparing themselves to others.

* Anlourd 'hui roi, demain rien. † Heut' im Puts, morgen im Schmutz.

What remains is the bank (solid ground), what is lost is the husk.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, after a loss or a filtering process, only the essential or valuable part remains while the useless or trivial part is gone. It is often used to console someone by pointing out that even if something was lost, the core strength or the most important asset is still intact.

Stammering is the ear of the fourth.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person with a speech impediment or a slow-witted person tries to convey information, and by the time it reaches the fourth person through a chain of communication, it becomes completely distorted or misunderstood. It highlights how information loses its original meaning or becomes delayed when passing through unreliable sources.

A karaṇam to talk. A great talker but not good at his work.

This phrase refers to someone who creates a lot of noise or makes loud announcements but possesses no real power or authority. It is used to describe a person who is all talk and no action, or someone who holds a superficial position without the actual ability to influence outcomes.