నూనె కొలిచిన గిద్దకు జిడ్డు కాదా
nune kolichina giddaku jiddu kada
Won't the vessel used to measure oil become greasy?
This proverb implies that when someone handles a valuable resource or manages an organization, they will naturally benefit or gain some small advantage from it. Just as a measuring cup retains some oil after pouring, a person in a position of power or responsibility often acquires some residual benefits, either intended or incidental. It is often used to describe how people in charge of funds or assets rarely go unrewarded.
Related Phrases
కొలిచేవాడూ గుడ్డి, కొలిపించుకొనేవాడూ గుడ్డి.
kolichevadu guddi, kolipinchukonevadu guddi.
The man who measures [the grain] is blind, and the man who has had it measured is blind also (i.e., the buyer and the seller.) Defects on both sides.
This proverb describes a situation where both parties involved in a transaction or task are ignorant or incompetent. It is used when a leader and their follower (or a seller and a buyer) both lack the necessary knowledge or judgment, inevitably leading to a flawed outcome or mutual deception.
కొడుకు బిడ్డకు, కూతురు బిడ్డకు తాత ఒకడే
koduku biddaku, kuturu biddaku tata okade
For the son's child and the daughter's child, the grandfather is the same.
This proverb is used to emphasize impartiality and equality in family relationships. It points out that a grandfather shares the same biological bond with all his grandchildren, regardless of whether they are born to his son or his daughter, suggesting that one should not show favoritism based on lineage.
తానే సెట్టి అని మూడే గిద్దలంటాడు
tane setti ani mude giddalantadu
Calling himself the head merchant, he says there are only three 'giddas'.
This expression is used to describe a person who talks big or holds an authoritative position but lacks basic knowledge or competency. A 'gidda' is a small unit of measurement; a merchant not knowing standard measures is ironic. It highlights the gap between one's self-importance and their actual ability.
పొరుగింటి బాన పాడి కంటే, తన ఇంటి గిద్ద పాడి మేలు
poruginti bana padi kante, tana inti gidda padi melu
The small measure of milk in one's own house is better than a large pot of milk in the neighbor's house.
This proverb emphasizes the value of self-reliance and ownership. It suggests that having a small amount of something that belongs to you is more reliable and beneficial than depending on a large amount that belongs to someone else. It is used to advise people to be content with what they own rather than looking at others' wealth.
తన బుట్టి చిల్లులదైతే, పొరుగువానితో అపరాలు కొలిచాడట
tana butti chilluladaite, poruguvanito aparalu kolichadata
When his Puṭṭi was found to be of short measure, he tested the Pandum and Para of his neighbour. Puṭṭi, Pandum and Para are measures of capacity. When a man was found cheating with a false measure, he tried to prove that his neighbour's measures were too large.
This proverb is used to describe a person who ignores their own glaring flaws or lack of resources while trying to compete with or involve themselves in others' business. It highlights the irony of someone attempting to manage a task when they don't even have the basic tools ready, often resulting in waste or failure.
ఆముదము కొలిచే తవ్వ ఎప్పుడూ జిడ్డే
amudamu koliche tavva eppudu jidde
The vessel used to measure castor oil is always greasy.
This proverb describes a person who is always associated with a particular habit or trait, often a negative one, to the point where it becomes their permanent identity. Just as a measuring cup for oil remains sticky even when empty, a person's reputation or past actions continue to define them in the eyes of others.
మంచు కుంచాల కొలిచినట్లు
manchu kunchala kolichinatlu
Like measuring snow with a grain measure.
This expression refers to a futile or impossible task. Since snow melts while being handled or measured, it is impossible to get a steady or accurate quantity using a traditional measuring cup (kuncham). It is used to describe efforts that are transient, deceptive, or yield no permanent result.
కాడికిందకు వచ్చిన గొడ్డు, చేతికిందకు వచ్చిన బిడ్డ
kadikindaku vachchina goddu, chetikindaku vachchina bidda
The ox that has come under the yoke, and the child who has come to hand.
This proverb highlights two stages of life where support is expected. Just as an ox is ready to share the burden of farm work once it fits the yoke, a child is expected to assist and support their parents once they grow up and become capable. It refers to the point when a person or animal becomes productive and helpful to the family.
చేతికి అంటిన జిడ్డు లెక్కకు రాదు
chetiki antina jiddu lekkaku radu
The grease stuck to the hand does not count towards the calculation.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where minor, incidental benefits or small amounts of leftovers are ignored or not considered as part of the actual profit or wealth. It implies that tiny gains that occur during a process are negligible and shouldn't be scrutinized.
చచ్చిన బిడ్డకు చేరెడు కండ్లు
chachchina biddaku cheredu kandlu
The dead child has eyes as large as palms.
This proverb is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities, virtues, or potential of something or someone only after they are lost or no longer exist. It highlights the human tendency to glorify the past or missed opportunities.