నేను పోతే మజ్జిగ నీళ్ళకు దోవలేదుగాని, నాపేర చీటిపోతే పెరుగు పంపుతారు అన్నాడట.
nenu pote majjiga nillaku dovaledugani, napera chitipote perugu pamputaru annadata.
If I go in person, I won't even get buttermilk water, but if a letter goes in my name, they will send curd, he said.
This expression refers to people who live in a state of delusion or false pride, believing their name or reputation carries more weight than their physical presence. It is used to mock someone who thinks they are highly influential or respected despite being treated poorly or ignored in reality. It highlights the irony of someone expecting a grand reception based on a 'request letter' when they cannot even secure basic hospitality in person.
Related Phrases
తాగబోతే మజ్జిగ చుక్కకు గతిలేదు, చీటివస్తే పెరుగు పంపుతారన్నట్లు.
tagabote majjiga chukkaku gatiledu, chitivaste perugu pamputarannatlu.
When one goes to drink, there isn't even a drop of buttermilk, but when a note arrives, they say they will send curd.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the basic resources for themselves but makes grand, empty promises to others. It highlights the irony of someone who cannot even afford a basic necessity (buttermilk) pretending to be generous with something more valuable (curd) just to maintain appearances or deceive others.
ఇంత మంది దొరలు చావక పోతే నేను మాత్రం చస్తానా, నాకూ అక్కజలేదు అన్నాడట.
inta mandi doralu chavaka pote nenu matram chastana, naku akkajaledu annadata.
If so many masters/rich people haven't died, why would I die? I am in no hurry either, he said.
This proverb is used to mock someone who foolishly procrastinates or avoids responsibility by observing that others haven't done it yet. It highlights a false sense of security or laziness where a person justifies their inaction or lack of urgency by pointing at others who are equally stagnant, even when the task or situation is inevitable.
తాగబోతే మజ్జిగ లేదు అంటే, పెరుగుకు చీటి వ్రాయమన్నట్టు.
tagabote majjiga ledu ante, peruguku chiti vrayamannattu.
After being refused butter-milk, when he went himself, he ordered his servant to write for curds. After being refused a trifling request, to demand authoritatively some- thing much greater.
This proverb describes a person who makes unrealistic or extravagant demands when even the basic requirements cannot be met. It is used to mock someone's lack of common sense or their inability to understand the gravity of a scarcity, similar to the expression 'let them eat cake.'
పిల్లకు ఏమిపెట్టి పంపినారు శాస్త్రిగారు అంటే పేదవాళ్ళము ఏమి పెట్టగలము, మీబోటి మహారాజులైతే వేలుబెట్టి పంపుతారు అన్నాడట.
pillaku emipetti pampinaru shastrigaru ante pedavallamu emi pettagalamu, miboti maharajulaite velubetti pamputaru annadata.
When asked what they sent with the girl, the priest replied, 'We are poor, what can we give? Great kings like you would put a finger and send her.'
This is a humorous and sarcastic play on words involving the Telugu idiom 'Velu petti pampatam' (to put a finger and send). In a literal sense, it implies having nothing to give, but as a pun, it refers to the act of 'interfering' or 'poking one's nose' into others' business. It is used to mock people who ask intrusive questions about one's financial status or dowry by implying that the questioner's only contribution is their unnecessary interference.
నేను పుట్టకపోతే నీకు పెండ్లామే లేకపోను అంటే, నీవు పుట్టకపోతే నీ తల్లినే పెండ్లాడి ఉందును అన్నాడట.
nenu puttakapote niku pendlame lekaponu ante, nivu puttakapote ni talline pendladi undunu annadata.
When a wife said "If I had not been born, you would not have had a wife," the husband replied "If you had not been born, I should have married your mother." i. e. a better woman.
This is a witty and biting comeback used to silence someone who is being overly boastful or arrogant about their importance in a situation. It highlights that no one is indispensable and that there are always alternatives, even if the alternatives suggested are humorous or absurdly provocative.
తాగబోతే మజ్జిగ లేదు కానీ, పెరుగుకు చీటి వ్రాయమన్నాడట
tagabote majjiga ledu kani, peruguku chiti vrayamannadata
When told there isn't even buttermilk to drink, he asked for a letter (note) for yogurt.
This proverb is used to mock people who demand luxuries or higher-level items when even basic necessities are unavailable. It describes a situation where someone is disconnected from reality or is being unnecessarily pretentious despite their poor circumstances.
కడివెడు పాలకు ఒక మజ్జిగబొట్టు
kadivedu palaku oka majjigabottu
A single drop of buttermilk for a pot full of milk
This proverb refers to how a small negative influence or a tiny mistake can transform or ruin something large and pure. Just as a drop of buttermilk curdles an entire pot of milk, one bad person can influence a group, or one small error can change the entire outcome of a situation.
మజ్జిగకు మజ్జిగ, ఆశకు ఆశ
majjigaku majjiga, ashaku asha
A fly to a fly. ( Hind. )
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to benefit from both sides or keep something for themselves while pretending to share. It signifies a person's dual nature of being stingy while acting as if they are fulfilling a duty or being generous.
మంది ఎక్కువయితే మజ్జిగ పలచన
mandi ekkuvayite majjiga palachana
If there are more people, the buttermilk will be thinner. i. e. more water will be added.
This expression describes a situation where too many people being involved in a task leads to a decline in quality, or when resources are spread too thin to be effective. It is similar to the English proverb 'Too many cooks spoil the broth'.
పేరితే పాలే పెరుగు
perite pale perugu
If they curdle, even milk becomes yogurt
This proverb implies that with patience, time, or the right conditions, a transformation occurs. It is often used to suggest that things will eventually take their proper shape or reach their potential if given the necessary time and environment.