నూరు గొడ్లకు అధికారి, ఇంటి భార్యకు ఎండుపూరి
nuru godlaku adhikari, inti bharyaku endupuri
Commander of a hundred cattle, but dry straw for the wife at home.
This proverb describes a person who holds great power, wealth, or influence in the outside world but fails to provide basic necessities or comforts to their own family. It is used to critique individuals who are generous or prestigious socially but neglect their domestic responsibilities.
Related Phrases
ఏడు నెలలకు ఎందుకు నడకలు అన్నట్లు
edu nelalaku enduku nadakalu annatlu
Like asking why a seven-month-old is not walking.
This expression is used to describe someone who is being impatient or expecting results prematurely. It highlights the absurdity of expecting an outcome before the natural or required amount of time has passed, just as it is unrealistic to expect a seven-month-old infant to walk.
రాజు చేసిన కార్యాలకు, రాముడు చేసిన కార్యాలకు ఎన్నిక లేదు
raju chesina karyalaku, ramudu chesina karyalaku ennika ledu
There is no counting the deeds of a king, nor the deeds of Lord Rama.
This expression is used to describe an overwhelming number of actions or events that are beyond measurement or questioning. It suggests that just as one cannot possibly list every act of a powerful ruler or the divine interventions of Lord Rama, certain situations involve so many details or consequences that they are impossible to fully account for or critique.
కరువులో అధిక మాసం
karuvulo adhika masam
An extra month during a famine.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an already difficult or bad situation is made worse by further complications or burdens. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'Misfortunes never come singly' or 'When it rains, it pours'.
భిక్షాధికారికి లక్షాధికారికి ఎందుకు పోలిక?
bhikshadhikariki lakshadhikariki enduku polika?
Why compare a beggar with a millionaire?
This expression is used to highlight a vast disparity or mismatch between two people, situations, or objects. It suggests that it is illogical or unfair to compare things that are fundamentally different in status, quality, or scale.
మాటలకు మల్లి, చేతలకు ఎల్లి
matalaku malli, chetalaku elli
Malli for words, Elli for deeds
This proverb describes someone who is very vocal, boastful, or makes grand promises (Malli) but is completely absent or disappears when it comes time to actually do the work (Elli). It is used to criticize people who talk a lot but never follow through with action.
చాకలివాని భార్యకు మంగలివాడు విడాకులు ఇచ్చినట్లు
chakalivani bharyaku mangalivadu vidakulu ichchinatlu
Like the barber's giving a written divorcement to the washerwoman's wife.
This expression is used to describe an absurd or illogical situation where a person interferes in a matter that they have absolutely no authority or legal standing over. It refers to someone trying to settle or decide an issue that does not involve them at all.
కరువులో అధిక మాసం, లేమిలో అధిక సంతానం
karuvulo adhika masam, lemilo adhika santanam
An extra month during a famine, and many children during poverty.
This expression is used to describe a situation where troubles or burdens pile up one after another when someone is already in a difficult state. Just as an intercalary month (Adhika Masam) extends the duration of a year during a drought, or having many children adds to the financial burden of a poor person, it signifies that misfortunes rarely come alone and often worsen an existing crisis.
భిక్షాధికారి అయినా కావలె, లక్షాధికారి అయినా కావలె.
bhikshadhikari ayina kavale, lakshadhikari ayina kavale.
One must be a master of alms or a master of lakhs. i. e. either a beggar or a very rich man.
This proverb emphasizes that one should aim for extremes rather than being stuck in the middle. It suggests that a person should either be completely detached from worldly possessions (like a master ascetic/beggar) or be immensely wealthy (a millionaire), as both positions command a certain type of freedom or influence, whereas being in the middle often brings struggle and dissatisfaction.
భిక్షాధికారి అయినా కావాలి, లక్షాధికారి అయినా కావాలి
bhikshadhikari ayina kavali, lakshadhikari ayina kavali
One should either become a master of begging or a millionaire.
This expression emphasizes that one should aim for extremes or total mastery in their chosen path rather than being mediocre. It suggests that there is no point in being 'in-between' or average; one should either reach the pinnacle of wealth or, if choosing a humble path, be the most detached or humble version of it. It is often used to encourage commitment to a goal.
అంతకు ఇంతయింది, ఇంత ఎంతవుతుందో, ఇంతకింతే.
antaku intayindi, inta entavutundo, intakinte.
It became this much from that much; who knows what this much will become; for this, only this much.
This expression is used to describe a situation that has grown or escalated unexpectedly from a small beginning. It reflects on the unpredictable progression of events and concludes that the current outcome is the inevitable result of the preceding actions.