ఓనమాలు చదివేవారే కానీ, ఆనవాలు చూపించలేరు
onamalu chadivevare kani, anavalu chupinchaleru
They only read the alphabet but cannot show the evidence/signs.
This expression is used to describe people who possess theoretical knowledge or have learned the basics (literacy) but lack practical application or proof of their abilities. It highlights the gap between superficial learning and meaningful results or execution.
Related Phrases
ఆర్చేవారేకాని తీర్చేవారు లేరు.
archevarekani tirchevaru leru.
There are people to console, but none to resolve the problem.
This expression is used to describe a situation where many people offer sympathy or words of comfort (crying along with you), but no one actually steps forward to provide a practical solution or financial help to end the trouble.
శ్రీరంగనీతులు చెప్పేవారేగాని, చేసేవారు లేరు.
shriranganitulu cheppevaregani, chesevaru leru.
There are many who preach the morals of Srirangam, but none who practice them.
This expression is used to describe hypocrites who give lofty moral advice to others but fail to follow it themselves. It is similar to the English proverb 'Practice what you preach' or 'Do as I say, not as I do.' It highlights the gap between words and actions.
ఏనుగుకు సిళ్ళు చూపినట్లు
enuguku sillu chupinatlu
Like showing teats to an elephant.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers something insignificantly small or inadequate to someone with vast needs or great capacity. Just as an elephant requires a massive amount of food to be satisfied, showing it small teats (symbolizing a tiny portion) is useless and mocking.
అంతా మా వాళ్ళే కానీ, అన్నానికి రమ్మన్న వారు లేరు.
anta ma valle kani, annaniki rammanna varu leru.
Everyone is mine, but no one invited me for a meal.
This proverb describes a situation where one has many relatives or acquaintances who claim to be close, yet none of them offer genuine help or hospitality when it is actually needed. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy of people who show affection in words but fail to act during times of need.
పంచపాండవులంటే నాకు తెలియదా, మంచపుకోళ్లవలె ముగ్గురు అని రెండు వేళ్లు చూపించాడట.
panchapandavulante naku teliyada, manchapukollavale mugguru ani rendu vellu chupinchadata.
Don't I know about the five Pandavas? They are three in number like the legs of a bed, he said, while showing two fingers.
This expression is used to mock someone who pretends to have thorough knowledge about a subject but demonstrates complete ignorance or confusion through their explanation. It highlights a situation where someone claims expertise while making glaring, contradictory errors.
పంచపాండవులు మంచం కోళ్లవలె ముగ్గురు అంటారేగాని, యిద్దరే అని వక వేలు చూపినాడట.
panchapandavulu mancham kollavale mugguru antaregani, yiddare ani vaka velu chupinadata.
"The five Pândavas they say are three like the legs of a bed, but there are only two," said he, showing one finger. Said of a stupid accountant.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic knowledge or consistency. It depicts someone so confused or ignorant that they contradict themselves multiple times in a single statement—stating the Pandavas (who are five) are three like cot legs (which are four), and then holding up one finger to indicate two. It is used to mock utter stupidity or a complete lack of logic.
చదువు చదివెడి యయ్యలు పదవిని పొందంగలేరు
chaduvu chadivedi yayyalu padavini pondangaleru
The teachers/men who study continuously cannot attain high positions.
This expression suggests that those who remain perpetually stuck in books or theoretical learning without practical application or worldly wisdom often fail to reach high status or administrative success. It highlights the difference between academic knowledge and the street-smartness required for leadership.
వేలు చూపించి ఉట్టిది అనిపించుకున్నట్లు
velu chupinchi uttidi anipinchukunnatlu
Pointing the finger and coming off worst.
This expression describes a situation where someone's attempt to help or point something out results in them being wrongly blamed or criticized. It is used when an innocent action leads to an unnecessary negative reputation or misunderstanding.
Said of a man who accuses another without being able to sub- stantiate his allegations.
ఇంటివారు వేలు చూపితే, బయటివారు కాలు చూపుతారు
intivaru velu chupite, bayativaru kalu chuputaru
If the members of your family point their fingers at you, the outsiders will point their legs.
This proverb highlights that if family members disrespect or expose the weaknesses of their own kin, outsiders will feel emboldened to treat them with even greater contempt or cause more significant harm. It emphasizes the importance of family unity and loyalty in maintaining social standing.
గారెలు వండాలె పెళ్ళామా అంటే వేలు చూపినట్లు
garelu vandale pellama ante velu chupinatlu
When asked to cook Vada (Garelu), showing a finger instead.
This expression describes a situation where someone gives a vague, dismissive, or minimal response when asked to perform a significant task. It refers to a person who avoids responsibility or work by making a simple gesture instead of actually putting in the effort required. It is used to mock laziness or unhelpful behavior.