నీ పప్పూ, నా పొట్టూ కలిసి ఊదుకు తిందాం అన్నట్లు

ni pappu, na pottu kalisi uduku tindam annatlu

Translation

Like saying, 'Let's mix your lentils and my husk, blow on it, and eat.'

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where one person tries to strike a deal that is entirely one-sided or unfair. It refers to someone who wants to share in another person's valuable assets (lentils) while contributing something worthless (husk) of their own.

Related Phrases

Like saying 'Don't abuse me, you son of a slave'

This expression describes a hypocritical or contradictory situation where a person uses an insult while simultaneously asking someone else not to insult them. It is used to mock people who do exactly what they are preaching against, or those who lack self-awareness in their speech.

I will eat all the dal that I have mixed myself.

This expression is used to describe a person who is highly individualistic, stubborn, or unwilling to share or cooperate with others. It signifies a 'my way or the highway' attitude, where the person insists on handling their own affairs entirely by themselves, often rejecting help or input from others.

When asked what she ate with, she replied she ate with hunger.

This expression highlights that hunger is the best sauce. It implies that when someone is genuinely hungry, the specific side dishes or quality of food do not matter as much as the satisfaction of eating. It is used to describe a situation where necessity or intense desire makes even the simplest thing seem wonderful.

Like thieves joining together to divide the villages among themselves.

This expression is used to describe a situation where corrupt or wicked people collaborate to share spoils or ill-gotten gains. It highlights a conspiracy where individuals with no integrity cooperate solely for mutual benefit at the expense of others.

Like borrowing money to eat lentil rice.

This expression refers to living beyond one's means or indulging in luxuries using borrowed money. It describes a lifestyle of temporary comfort or status sustained by debt, which is ultimately unsustainable and financially irresponsible.

I will eat as much of the rice as my Dâl has been mixed with. Said by the greater of two men who, when travelling together, had mixed their food, the big man having brought dâl and the other rice. Applied to a grasping, selfish man.

This expression is used to describe a person who is purely self-interested or opportunistic. It implies that the individual will remain involved in a situation or relationship only as long as they are gaining a personal benefit or until their specific need is met, after which they will leave without concern for others.

Like the rice crop failing while the weeds flourish

This expression is used to describe a situation where the main objective or productive element is ruined, while useless or parasitic elements thrive. It refers to a field where the actual paddy crop is destroyed, but the weeds (Oodara) grow thick and healthy. It is used in contexts where unworthy people prosper at the expense of the worthy.

Eating well (enjoying comforts) on borrowed money.

Borrowing used to be viewed as undesirable in the past. People, now under the influence of consumerism, want to live on their future income. It is still wisdom to be neither a borrower nor a lender, in the words of Shakespeare.

Like bowing to the stick held under the arm.

This expression refers to a situation where someone shows respect or obeys another person not out of genuine regard, but out of fear of the weapon or power they possess. It is used when a person's submission is forced by an immediate threat of violence or authority.

When a thief who steals and eats was taken as a partner, he stole everything and hid it in his bundle.

This proverb warns against trusting a person with a known history of dishonesty or theft. It implies that if you enter into a partnership or trust someone who is habitually untrustworthy, you shouldn't be surprised when they eventually betray you or steal your belongings. It is used to describe situations where someone suffers a loss due to their own poor judgment in choosing associates.