నీ సోకే సొటాకు, నీ ముఖమే బీరాకు, నావంక చూడబోకు నా కసలే చిరాకు

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the effort or risk involved completely cancels out the reward or gain. It refers to cattle that swim across a dangerous river to reach fertile grazing land (Lanka islands), only to burn off all the calories they gained by swimming back, resulting in a zero net gain.

This proverb is used to criticize people who lack a sense of shame or remorse. When such individuals are confronted with their mistakes or wrongdoings, they often try to brush it off with a smile or a laugh instead of feeling embarrassed. It suggests that for those without integrity, a fake smile is their only way to mask their flaws.

This is a traditional Telugu expression or nursery rhyme phrase used to describe someone who is being indecisive or is in a state of idle hesitation. It is often used playfully or teasingly to address someone who is just standing there without taking any action or making a move in either direction.

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.'

This proverb describes a difficult person or situation where any action leads to a negative outcome. If you ask for something or check in, they get annoyed (irritation), but if you stay quiet, they complain that you are ignoring them or being careless (negligence/paraku).

This expression reflects a clever or humorous priority system. While it sounds like a blessing, it implies that the speaker and their children should live a fixed long life (100 years), but the husband's lifespan is tied to the existence of the world—which could either mean eternity or simply staying as long as everyone else does. It is often used to describe someone who prioritizes themselves and their children first, or sometimes in a satirical way regarding domestic blessings.

This proverb describes a difficult or 'no-win' situation, often referring to people who get annoyed when reminded of their duties but completely forget or neglect them if left alone. It highlights the frustration of dealing with someone who is both irritable and irresponsible.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the effort or expenditure is exactly equal to the benefit or gain, resulting in no net profit. It specifically refers to a scenario where a person swims across a river (hard work) to let cattle graze on an island, but the energy/resources gained from the grazing are consumed by the effort of swimming back and forth.

This proverb highlights the essential nature of a mother's care and rain for survival and growth. Just as a crop cannot flourish or survive without rain, a child suffers and cannot thrive without the nurturing presence and affection of a mother. It is used to describe situations of extreme deprivation or the lack of a fundamental life-sustaining element.

This expression is used to describe a complete stranger or someone with whom one has no prior acquaintance or connection. It is often used when emphasizing that a person is totally anonymous or unknown to a particular circle or individual.