నేతి బీరకాయలాగా

neti birakayalaga

Translation

Like a ghee-ridge gourd

Meaning

This expression is used to describe something that is empty, deceptive, or lacks the quality its name suggests. Just as a ghee-ridge gourd (Nethi Beerakaya) contains no actual ghee, this phrase refers to people, objects, or promises that sound valuable but are practically useless or hollow.

Related Phrases

The ones eaten are small bitter fruits, but the ones vomited out are large wood apples.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone puts in very little effort or investment but expects or claims to have achieved massive results. It highlights the exaggeration of outcomes or the irony of someone who consumes something of low value but boasts about producing something of high value.

Like wood apples in a winnowing tray.

This expression describes a situation where things or people are scattered, unorganized, and constantly rolling or moving about without stability. It is often used to refer to a lack of unity or a group where members are not cooperating and are heading in different directions.

The name is Ghee-Gourd, but if you cut it open, there isn't a drop of ghee.

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that has a grand or impressive name but lacks the actual quality or substance implied by that name. It is used to mock pretentiousness, false advertising, or situations where the reality does not live up to the hype.

There is no stick in cumin, there is no ghee in silk squash.

This proverb is used to describe something that is purely nominal or deceptive. It refers to situations where a name or title implies the presence of something valuable or specific, but the actual object lacks that quality entirely. It is often used to comment on people who have grand titles but no actual power or substance.

Will a lablab vine bear a ridge gourd?

This rhetorical question is used to express that results are always consistent with their source or origin. It means that one cannot expect something different or superior from a person or situation that is fundamentally different in nature. It is similar to the English proverb 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree' or 'Like begets like.'

Like a splinter in the panakam (sweet drink).

This expression is used to describe a person or a thing that acts as a nuisance or an obstacle in an otherwise pleasant or smooth situation. Just as a small piece of wood or a splinter ruins the experience of drinking a delicious sweet beverage, this refers to an unwelcome interruption.

There is no ghee in a silk gourd

This expression is used to describe something that is empty, misleading, or lacks the substance promised by its name. Just as a 'silk gourd' (Nethi Beerakaya) has the word 'Neyyi' (Ghee) in its name but contains no actual ghee, it refers to titles or claims that have no basis in reality.

Today's child is tomorrow's father

This expression highlights the cycle of life and the continuity of generations. It emphasizes that the way a child is raised today determines the kind of parent and leader they will become in the future, suggesting that the future of society rests on the upbringing of its children.

Ridge gourd fiber

This expression is used to describe a very distant, weak, or insignificant relationship between two people. Just as the fiber inside a ridge gourd is thin and peripheral, this phrase highlights a connection that is barely there or purely namesake.

Like a tasteless cucumber.

This expression is used to describe something that is only named after a quality it does not actually possess. In Telugu, 'Nethi Beerakaya' (Silk Gourd) has 'Neyi' (Ghee) in its name, but contains no actual ghee. It is applied to people or things that are deceptive in their titles, descriptions, or claims.

Nēti bīrakāya is the ghî cucumber. Grand in name but not worth anything. *Cleco è l'occhio, se l'animo è distrutto.