పైన మంట, కింద మంట, కడుపులో మంట, కాలు నిలిపితే ఖామందు తంట
paina manta, kinda manta, kadupulo manta, kalu nilipite khamandu tanta
Fire above, fire below, fire in the belly, and if the foot stops, the master causes trouble.
This proverb describes the plight of a hardworking laborer or farmer. 'Fire above' refers to the scorching sun, 'fire below' refers to the hot earth, and 'fire in the belly' refers to hunger. It signifies that despite physical suffering and hunger, they cannot stop working because they are afraid of the master's wrath or the loss of their livelihood.
Related Phrases
పూచింది పొడమంత, కాచింది గంపంత
puchindi podamanta, kachindi gampanta
Flowered as much as a small patch, but yielded a basketful.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small effort or a modest beginning leads to a surprisingly large or abundant result. It is often used to praise high productivity or unexpected success from minimal resources.
కాంత, కనకాలే కయ్యానికి మూలం
kanta, kanakale kayyaniki mulam
Women and gold are the root causes of conflict
This is a popular proverb used to describe the primary motives behind most human disputes, wars, or rivalries. 'Kaanta' (woman/lust) and 'Kanakam' (gold/wealth) represent the two main worldly desires that lead to disagreements or violence throughout history. It is often cited when explaining the cause of a complex feud.
గోరు వాస్తే వేలంత, వేలు వాస్తే కాలంత, కాలు వాస్తే రోలంత, రోలు వాస్తే ఎంత?
goru vaste velanta, velu vaste kalanta, kalu vaste rolanta, rolu vaste enta?
If the nail swell, [it will be ] as big as the finger; if the finger swell, [it will be ] as big as the leg; if the leg swell, [it will be ] as big as a mortar; if the mortar swell, how big [ will it be ? ] Said in ridicule of a logician.
This is a humorous and logical Telugu proverb or riddle used to describe exaggeration or the concept of exponential growth/inflation. It highlights how a small issue, if left unchecked or exaggerated, can become absurdly large. It is often used to mock someone who is blowing things out of proportion or to point out the logical fallacy in a sequence of exaggerations.
గోరు వాచిన వేలంత, వేలు వాచిన కాలంత, కాలు వాచిన రోలంత, రోలు వాచిన ఎంత?
goru vachina velanta, velu vachina kalanta, kalu vachina rolanta, rolu vachina enta?
If a nail swells, it becomes the size of a finger; if a finger swells, it becomes the size of a leg; if a leg swells, it becomes the size of a mortar; if the mortar swells, how big would it be?
This is a rhythmic riddle or a satirical saying used to describe the logic of hyperbole or disproportionate growth. It highlights how problems can escalate in scale, or it is used as a humorous 'endless' question to stump someone, as a stone mortar (rolu) cannot actually swell.
కడుపులోని మంట కానరాని మంట
kadupuloni manta kanarani manta
The fire in the stomach is an invisible fire.
This expression refers to internal suffering, deep grief, or hidden jealousy that others cannot see. While physical fires are visible, the 'burning' one feels due to hunger, emotional pain, or envy is hidden from the world but deeply felt by the individual.
కాసీ పూసే చింతా, గన్నారపు సంతా, నీళ్ళకడవకాడ ముంతా, నిద్రకేమి పుచ్చు కొంటావే.
kasi puse chinta, gannarapu santa, nillakadavakada munta, nidrakemi puchchu kontave.
The tamarind that bears fruit and flowers, the market for oleander, the small vessel near the water pot—what will you take for sleep?
This is a traditional Telugu folk riddle or a rhythmic nursery rhyme (lullaby style). It describes a series of everyday objects and nature scenes in a rhyming pattern, used to distract or soothe a child into sleeping. It reflects rural life where tamarind trees, flower markets, and water pots were central themes.
ఆ మంట యీ మంట, బ్రాహ్మణార్థం కడుపు మంట.
a manta yi manta, brahmanartham kadupu manta.
[ Talk of ] that burning and this burning, this Brâhmaṇârtha is belly burning. Said by a greedy Vaidika Brahman. Brâhmaṇârtha is an invitation issued to two or three Brahmans on the anniversary of the death of a relative.
This expression describes a situation where someone is overwhelmed by multiple troubles at once. It literally refers to a cook dealing with the heat of the stove, the heat of the weather, and the physical discomfort or indigestion caused by eating heavy food at a ritualistic feast. It is used when a person is frustrated by a series of compounding difficulties.
కారం రాస్తే మంట, వెన్న రాస్తే తంట
karam raste manta, venna raste tanta
Applying chili causes burning; applying butter causes trouble.
This expression describes a lose-lose situation or a person who is impossible to please. It refers to a scenario where every solution or action, whether harsh (chili) or soothing (butter), results in a negative outcome or a complaint.
ఉడికినా తంతా, ఉడకకపోయినా తంతా అన్నట్లు.
udikina tanta, udakakapoyina tanta annatlu.
Like saying 'I will kick you if it's cooked, and I will kick you if it's not'.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is determined to find fault or be aggressive regardless of the outcome or the effort put in. It is used to characterize people who are impossible to please or those who use any excuse—even contradictory ones—to harass or criticize others.
ఆకలి ఆకాశమంత, గొంతుక సూది బెజ్జమంత.
akali akashamanta, gontuka sudi bejjamanta.
The appetite is as great as the sky, but the throat is as small as the eye of a needle. Applied to great ambition, but small abilities.
This proverb describes a situation where one's desires or ambitions are vast and limitless, but their capacity, resources, or means to fulfill them are extremely limited. It is often used to refer to someone who has big dreams but lacks the capability or opportunity to achieve them.
* Hvo som vil röre i Skarn, faaser og lugte det. † Man bliver et snarere skiden end af Skarn.