పాలు పిండని గొడ్డు బల్టీల కదుపులు మెండు

palu pindani goddu baltila kadupulu mendu

Translation

The cow that yields no milk creates the most clatter with the buckets.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe people who possess no actual skill, talent, or substance but make a lot of noise or show off to grab attention. It is similar to the English proverb 'Empty vessels make the most noise.' It highlights that those who contribute the least often boast the most.

Related Phrases

Without the buttermilk in the stomach even moving

This expression is used to describe a state of absolute comfort, ease, or luxury where a person doesn't have to perform any physical labor or face any hardships. It literally suggests a life so stable and smooth that even the liquid in one's stomach remains undisturbed.

The barren cow bellows much, and in the year of drought there is much thunder. Much smoke and little roast. (Italian.) All talk and no go.

This proverb describes people who possess little knowledge or substance but make the most noise or display. Just as a cow that doesn't give milk moos loudly, and a riverbed during a drought may produce lightning or illusions of water without providing actual relief, empty or incompetent people often brag or shout the loudest to hide their lack of worth.

The pits are more numerous than the gunny bags.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the resources or solutions available are far fewer than the problems or needs that exist. It is often applied to financial situations where one's debts or holes (gothulu) are much larger than their savings or bags of wealth (gonelu).

Those who cannot do the work talk a lot; a counterfeit coin has many scratches.

This proverb describes people who compensate for their lack of ability or skill with excessive talk and excuses. Just as a fake or invalid coin often has many marks or scratches to hide its flaws or draw attention away from its worthlessness, an incompetent person uses words to hide their inability to perform a task.

An empty cowshed has too many shouts.

This proverb is used to describe people who lack substance, knowledge, or wealth but make a lot of noise or boast excessively. It is similar to the English proverb 'Empty vessels make the most noise.'

Empty clouds flash more lightning; a barren cow bellows more.

This proverb is used to describe people who lack substance or capability but make a lot of noise or boast excessively. Similar to the English idiom 'Empty vessels make the most noise', it suggests that those who talk the most or show off frequently are often the ones who achieve or contribute the least.

The cow that gives no milk is the first one to eat the fodder.

This proverb describes a person who is lazy or unproductive when it comes to work, yet is the most demanding and ahead of everyone else when it comes to benefits, food, or rewards. It is used to criticize someone who contributes nothing but consumes a lot.

An incapable woman has many antics, an invalid coin has many scratches.

This proverb is used to describe people who lack actual skills or competence but try to overcompensate with excessive behavior, excuses, or drama. Just as a counterfeit or damaged coin often has more visible marks or decorations to hide its lack of value, a person who cannot perform a task often puts on a show of being busy or makes a lot of fuss to distract from their inadequacy.

The thin cow gives more milk, and the unmilked cow has a larger udder.

This proverb is used to describe people who boast or show off without having any real substance or capability. Just as a cow that isn't milked looks like it has a large udder but yields nothing, or a weak cow is claimed to produce much milk, some people use appearances or tall tales to hide their lack of actual merit or performance.

For that which is not meant to be, troubles are many

This expression is used to describe a situation or a project that is destined to fail or is inherently problematic. It suggests that when something is not right or is 'ill-fated', one will encounter an excessive number of obstacles and complications. It is often said when someone is struggling with a task that seems to be going wrong at every turn.