ఓటి కుండలో నీళ్ళు పోసినట్టు

This expression describes a state of detachment or instability. Just as water stays on a lotus leaf without getting absorbed or sticking to it, it represents a person who remains unaffected by worldly attachments or circumstances despite living among them. It can also describe something that is fleeting or precarious.

This expression is used to describe a situation where effort, resources, or advice are wasted on someone or something that cannot retain them. It signifies a futile or useless action where despite the input, there is no result because the vessel (recipient) is fundamentally flawed.

This proverb describes the height of envy and spite. It refers to people who are so jealous of others' success (greenery/prosperity) that they self-destruct or stop their own progress out of sheer malice or depression caused by seeing others thrive.

This expression describes the irrational and self-destructive nature of extreme jealousy. It refers to someone who is so consumed by envy of another person's success or prosperity that they sabotage their own progress or well-being out of spite or sheer frustration.

An envious man waxes lean with the fatness of his neighbour. Envy is its own torturer. ( Danish ? ) * Wer einen lobt in Praesentia und schimpft in Absentia, den hole die Pestilentia. † Avindayg er sin egen Böddel.

This expression is used to describe an action that worsens an already volatile or tense situation. Just as ghee makes a fire blaze more intensely, this phrase refers to 'adding fuel to the fire'—making someone angrier or making a conflict more severe.

This proverb describes the toxic nature of extreme envy. It refers to people who are so jealous of others' success or prosperity (being 'green') that they self-destruct or extinguish their own progress and happiness (extinguishing their own cooking fire) out of spite or misery.

An envious act. To lose one eye that you may deprive another of two. (Spanish.)!

A fruitless effort is one that does not achieve what one sets out for.

This expression is used to describe a situation where people or objects are constantly moving and never settling down in one place. Just as spindles (kadullu) are pointed and thin, they keep shifting and rolling when placed in a container, making it impossible to keep them steady or organized. It is often used to refer to hyperactive children or a restless group of people.

This expression is used to describe a perfect, tight, or snug fit. In olden days, a 'Kuncham' was a grain measure; when filled precisely with grain or seeds, there is no extra space left. It is often used to describe someone with very even, closely set teeth or a crowd that is packed tightly together.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic skills or competence, but attempts to 'help' or perform a task only to ruin it completely. It highlights how an incompetent person's intervention often makes a situation worse.