నీవు ఒకందుకు పోస్తే, నేను ఒకందుకు తాగుతున్నాను
nivu okanduku poste, nenu okanduku tagutunnanu
If you pour for one thing, I drink for another. A woman poured out stale rice-water to make a man eat less solid food afterwards. The drink however has the property of increasing the appetite. Diamond cut diamond.
This expression describes a situation where two people are involved in the same action but have completely different underlying motives or hidden agendas. It is used when one person thinks they are deceiving or manipulating someone, but the other person is participating because they have their own secret benefit or purpose.
Related Phrases
రోగము ఒకటి, మందు ఒకటి
rogamu okati, mandu okati
The disease is one, the medicine is another. i. e. the one is not fitted to remove the other. Said of unsuitable remedies.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the solution provided does not match the problem at hand, or when actions taken are completely irrelevant to the actual issue. It highlights a lack of coordination or understanding in addressing a specific challenge.
మంచి వారికి ఒక మాట, మంచి గొడ్డుకు ఒక దెబ్బ
manchi variki oka mata, manchi godduku oka debba
One word to a good man, one stroke to a good bullock. A nod for a wise man, and a rod for a fool.
This proverb emphasizes that an intelligent or sensible person understands and acts upon a single word of advice or instruction, just as a disciplined ox responds to a single stroke. It is used to suggest that wise people do not need repeated warnings or explanations to do the right thing.
బుర్రకు ఒక గుణము, జిహ్వకు ఒక రుచి.
burraku oka gunamu, jihvaku oka ruchi.
Every head has its idiosyncrasy, and every tongue its taste. All tastes are tastes. (Italian.) There is no disputing of tastes, appetites, and fancies.
This proverb highlights the diversity of human nature and preferences. It suggests that just as different people enjoy different flavors, every individual possesses their own unique way of thinking, personality traits, and opinions. It is used to explain why people disagree or have varying interests.
* Tutti i gusti son gusti. 36
తెల్లవారి లేచినందుకు దోవ తప్పినందుకూ సరి.
tellavari lechinanduku dova tappinanduku sari.
Waking up early and losing the way offset each other.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the effort put into a task is rendered useless by a subsequent mistake or hurdle. It highlights that the benefit gained from starting early or working hard was nullified because the person ended up going in the wrong direction or making a fundamental error, resulting in no net progress.
తానూ ఒక మనిషేనా తవుడూ ఒక రొట్టేనా
tanu oka manishena tavudu oka rottena
He calls himself a man, and the bran he eats, bread. A vulgar person taking airs.
This proverb is used to dismiss someone's significance or capability by comparing them to something of poor quality, like bread made from bran (chaff). It is typically used when a person of low status or limited skill attempts to do something beyond their reach, or when someone is being ignored as insignificant.
గొట్టిలు కాచినందుకు, లొడుగు తాగినందుకు సరి.
gottilu kachinanduku, lodugu taginanduku sari.
Boiling the nuts is equal to drinking the residue.
This proverb describes a situation where the effort put into a task is completely negated by the poor quality of the result, or where one trouble cancels out another with no net gain. It is used when a difficult process yields a disappointing or insignificant outcome, effectively meaning 'it was all for nothing' or 'the effort and the result are equally bad'.
నందుకు ఏడుస్తున్నాను అన్నదట.
nanduku edustunnanu annadata.
She said she was crying for 'Nandu'.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is pretending to be sad or upset for a noble reason, while their true motive is hidden or entirely different. It highlights hypocrisy or deceptive behavior.
ఏనుగుకు ఒక సీమ, గుర్రానికి ఒక ఊరు, బర్రెకు ఒక బానిసె.
enuguku oka sima, gurraniki oka uru, barreku oka banise.
To keep an elephant [ a man requires ] a country, to keep a horse a village, and to keep a she-buffalo a maid.
This proverb describes the specific resource requirements of different animals based on their status and size. It is used metaphorically to explain that every individual or entity needs an environment or support system proportionate to their scale or nature to thrive.
నీకు ఒక దండం, నీ బువ్వకు ఒక దండం
niku oka dandam, ni buvvaku oka dandam
A bow to you, a bow to your food. Said when offered bad food.
This expression is used when someone is fed up with another person's troublesome behavior or difficult nature. It signifies a desire to cut ties or stay away from them, implying 'I don't want your company, nor do I want to share a meal with you; just leave me alone.'
ఒకనాడు విందు, ఒకనాడు మందు
okanadu vindu, okanadu mandu
One day a feast, one day medicine.
This expression highlights the consequence of overindulgence. It suggests that if you indulge in a lavish feast or overeat today, you will likely end up taking medicine for health issues tomorrow. It serves as a warning for moderation in eating habits.
One day favor, one day disfavor. To-day in finery, to-morrow in filth. (German.)