నీకూ నాకూ కాదు, రోలెత్తి తలంబ్రాలు పోయుమన్నట్టు.
niku naku kadu, roletti talambralu poyumannattu.
You and I don't like each other; let us throw the mortar over each other's heads instead of rice. Said by one of an ill matched pair at their marriage.—Talabrālu is the rice poured over the head of the bride and bridegroom.
This proverb describes a situation where a person, unable to reach a compromise or perform a task correctly, suggests a solution that is absurd, impractical, or destructive to both parties. It is used to mock someone who proposes a nonsensical 'middle ground' that benefits no one, or when someone acts out of spite to ensure that if they can't have something, the other person cannot have it either.
Related Phrases
బట్టతలకు పేలు పట్టినట్టు
battatalaku pelu pattinattu
Like lice infesting a bald head.
Used to describe a situation that is logically impossible, highly improbable, or a baseless allegation. Just as lice cannot live on a head without hair, this expression mocks claims or events that lack any foundation or sense.
ఒల్లని మగనికి తలంబ్రాలు పోసినట్లు.
ollani maganiki talambralu posinatlu.
Like pouring holy rice (talambralu) for a husband who is not interested.
This proverb describes a situation where effort is wasted on someone who does not value or want it. It refers to performing a ritual or doing a favor for someone who is fundamentally unwilling or indifferent, making the act futile and meaningless.
దున్నపోతు ఈనిందంటే, దూడను కట్టేయమన్నట్లు
dunnapotu inindante, dudanu katteyamannatlu
When one said "The male buffalo has calved" the other replied "Then tie up the calf."
This proverb describes a situation where people blindly follow or react to a piece of information that is logically impossible or blatantly false. It mocks those who act without thinking or questioning the absurdity of a statement, highlighting gullibility and the lack of common sense.
నాకు లేక నేను ఏడుస్తుంటే, నీకు నైవేద్యమా?
naku leka nenu edustunte, niku naivedyama?
While I am crying because I have nothing, do you expect a ritual offering?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is asking for a favor or a gift from a person who is already in deep financial distress or lacking basic necessities themselves. It highlights the irony of demanding something from someone who has nothing to give.
రోషానికి రోలు మెడకు కట్టుకున్నట్టు
roshaniki rolu medaku kattukunnattu
Like tying the rice-mortar to his neck out of rivalry. Two men were dancing.—One had a drum round his neck ; the other, not to be out-done, hung the mortar round his neck. ల.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person, driven by excessive pride, anger, or a false sense of honor, takes on a burden or makes a decision that only causes them more trouble and hardship. It highlights the foolishness of taking extreme actions just to prove a point when those actions lead to self-inflicted misery.
నీకు రానిదీ నాకు విన సహించనిదీ పాడుమన్నట్టు.
niku ranidi naku vina sahinchanidi padumannattu.
Sing something that you don't know and that I cannot bear to hear. Asking something which is impossible.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is forced or encouraged to do something they are incompetent at, resulting in an outcome that is unpleasant or intolerable for everyone involved. It is used to mock a task performed poorly by someone without skill, which only causes annoyance to the observer.
తలంబ్రాలనాటి త్రాడు తాను పోయిననాడే పోతుంది
talambralanati tradu tanu poyinanade potundi
The thread tied during the wedding ceremony goes away only on the day she passes away.
This expression refers to the 'Mangalsutra' or the sacred wedding thread, signifying a lifelong commitment. It is used to describe a bond, a relationship, or a deep-rooted habit that lasts until the very end of one's life, emphasizing permanence and loyalty.
తలంబ్రాలకూ తద్దినాలకూ ఒకే మంత్రమా?
talambralaku taddinalaku oke mantrama?
Is it the same mantra for wedding rituals and funeral rites?
This expression is used to criticize someone who uses the same approach or logic for two completely different or opposing situations. It highlights that one cannot treat a joyous, auspicious occasion (like a wedding) and a solemn, inauspicious event (like a funeral) with the same set of rules or methods.
నేను ఆకలికాకుండా నీకు మందు చెబుతా, ముందు నాకు కాస్త గంజి నీళ్ళు పోయమన్నట్లు.
nenu akalikakunda niku mandu chebuta, mundu naku kasta ganji nillu poyamannatlu.
Like saying, 'I will tell you a medicine to stop your hunger, but first pour me some congee water.'
This expression is used to describe a hypocritical or ironic situation where a person who claims to have a solution for a problem is suffering from the exact same problem themselves. It highlights the absurdity of seeking or receiving advice from someone who cannot even help themselves.
ఆలు కాదు, అది వ్రాలు.
alu kadu, adi vralu.
She is not his mate but his fate. ( See Vēmana Book II, 15. )
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks any skills or usefulness, or to mock a person's poor handwriting or lack of character. It is often used humorously or critically to point out that something isn't what it's supposed to be, or that someone is incompetent in their role.