నాన్చి నాన్చి వేస్తివో, నాకొంప తీస్తివో
nanchi nanchi vestivo, nakompa tistivo
By procrastinating and delaying, you have ruined me.
This expression is used when someone takes an excessive amount of time to make a decision or complete a task, and that delay eventually leads to a disastrous outcome or significant loss for others. The literal sense refers to soaking something for too long until it spoils the situation.
Related Phrases
కొంప తీస్తావా రామన్నా అంటే అందుకు సందేహమా అన్నాట్ట
kompa tistava ramanna ante anduku sandehama annatta
When asked 'Will you ruin my house, Ramanna?', he replied 'Is there any doubt about it?'
This expression is used to describe a person who is blatantly and shamelessly honest about their intention to cause harm or mischief. It depicts a situation where someone is so committed to a negative action that they don't even try to hide it when confronted, highlighting their audacity or the inevitability of the impending trouble.
కొంప తీస్తివా రామన్నా అంటే, అందుకు సందేహమా అన్నట్టు.
kompa tistiva ramanna ante, anduku sandehama annattu.
"Have you ruined me Râmanna?" [ said a man to his parrot ] "Is there any doubt of that?" it replied. A man was duped into buying a parrot by the seller pretending it had power to discover hidden treasure. He pointed to a place where money had been previously buried and enquired of the parrot, which answered "Is there any doubt of that?" the only sentence it had been taught to repeat. The purchaser having bought the parrot for a large sum, in vain endeavoured to cause it to discover treasure. At last in his disappoint- ment he cried "Have you ruined me Râmanna?" when he received the same answer "Is there any doubt of that?" Applied to a person who knowingly gives bad advice to others, and then laughs at their misfortunes.
This proverb is used to describe a person who shamelessly admits to their blunders or destructive actions without any remorse. It highlights a situation where someone has caused significant damage and, instead of feeling guilty, behaves as if their incompetence or mischief is an established fact.
పాలివారిని తిట్టితివో, పాడైతివో
palivarini tittitivo, padaitivo
If you curse your relatives, you are ruined
This proverb highlights the importance of family unity. It suggests that if you work against or insult your own kin (pālivāru), you are essentially destroying your own support system and bringing ruin upon yourself.
పాలుమాలితివో, పౌరుషం కోల్పోతివో
palumalitivo, paurusham kolpotivo
Did you become lazy, or did you lose your courage?
This expression is used to question someone who has failed to act or has become stagnant. It suggests that the person has either succumbed to laziness (palumaluta) or has lost their self-respect and determination (paurusham). It is often used as a reproach or a motivational nudge to remind someone of their responsibilities and potential.
దెప్పితివో, పెద్దల తిడితివో
deppitivo, peddala tiditivo
Either you taunted someone or you insulted your elders.
This expression is used when a person who previously led a comfortable or successful life suddenly faces hardships, failures, or social disgrace. It implies that such a downfall is a karmic consequence of past arrogance, specifically the act of mocking others or showing disrespect toward elders and mentors.
ఇల్లలకగానే పండుగ కాదు
illalakagane panduga kadu
Cleaning or mopping the house does not mean the festival has arrived.
This proverb is used to warn against premature celebration or assuming a task is complete based on superficial initial actions. Just as mopping a floor is only a preliminary step for a festival, one must complete the actual hard work or wait for the true results before claiming success.
వేస్తివిరా కన్నం అంటే, చేస్తివిలే కాపురం అన్నట్లు
vestivira kannam ante, chestivile kapuram annatlu
When told 'You have dug a hole for a robbery,' the response was 'I ended up living there.'
This proverb is used to describe a person who shamelessly tries to cover up their crimes or mistakes with silly excuses, or someone who starts a task with bad intentions but ends up getting stuck in that situation permanently. It highlights irony and audacity in defensive behavior.
మించినదానికి విచారించి ఫలం లేదు
minchinadaniki vicharinchi phalam ledu
There is no point in worrying about what is past.
This proverb is equivalent to 'don't cry over spilled milk'. It is used to suggest that once something has happened or a mistake has been made that cannot be undone, there is no use in feeling regret or sorrow about it; instead, one should move forward.
మంచి ఉల్లిగడ్డకు మంచి బొడ్డు.
manchi ulligaddaku manchi boddu.
A good onion has a good navel (core).
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is of high quality both inside and out. Just as the quality of an onion is determined by its core, the character of a person or the integrity of a thing is judged by its inner essence. It suggests that true quality is consistent throughout.
వేస్తివిరా కన్నము అంటే, చేస్తివే కాపరము అన్నట్టు
vestivira kannamu ante, chestive kaparamu annattu
" So you've broken into the house, have you ?" [ said a wretched woman to a burglar ] " So you live in great style, do you ?" [ replied the thief ]. Disappointed expectations.
This proverb describes a situation where someone caught doing something wrong or illegal tries to act as if they have a legitimate right to be there or are doing something permanent and honorable. It is used to mock people who give ridiculous justifications for their obvious misdeeds or those who overstay their welcome shamelessly.