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.
Related Phrases
లంచం లేనిదే మంచమెక్కదు
lancham lenide manchamekkadu
Without a bribe, one cannot even get onto the bed.
This expression is used to highlight extreme corruption. It suggests that nothing, even the most basic or essential action, can be accomplished without paying a bribe. It is typically used when criticizing a system where illegal gratification has become mandatory for every step of a process.
మంచం కింద మంత్రసాని, మంచం పైన దొంగచూలాలు
mancham kinda mantrasani, mancham paina dongachulalu
The midwife is under the bed, while the woman pretending to be pregnant is on the bed.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to deceive others with a lie, but they are doing so in the presence of someone who knows the absolute truth. It highlights the futility of trying to trick an expert or an eyewitness who is already aware of the reality.
పంచపాండవులు అంటే మంచపు కోళ్ళలాగా ముగ్గురు కారని రెండంటూ ఒకటి చూపబోయి సున్నా చుట్టాడట
panchapandavulu ante manchapu kollalaga mugguru karani rendantu okati chupaboyi sunna chuttadata
When asked about the five Pandavas, he said they are like the four legs of a cot, showed three fingers, said they are two, pointed at one, and finally drew a zero.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely ignorant or confused despite pretending to be knowledgeable. It mocks someone who starts with a simple fact but gets progressively more incorrect until they reach a state of total absurdity or nothingness. It highlights utter lack of clarity or competence in a subject.
మంచివాడు మంచివాడంటే, మంచమంతా కంతలు చేసినాడు.
manchivadu manchivadante, manchamanta kantalu chesinadu.
When called a good man, he made holes all over the cot.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes undue advantage of the praise or kindness shown to them. It refers to people who, when trusted or given freedom due to their 'good' reputation, end up causing damage or acting irresponsibly. It is used to caution against blind trust or to describe someone who lacks common sense despite being called 'good'.
కంచం పొత్తేగాని, మంచం పొత్తులేదు
kancham pottegani, mancham pottuledu
Dining plates may be shared, but the bed is not shared.
This expression is used to describe a relationship between people (often relatives or friends) who are close enough to eat together or share a meal, but are not close enough to share a household, intimate secrets, or a marital bond. It highlights the boundaries of social intimacy and the distinction between formal friendship and private life.
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.
కంచం పొత్తేగాని మంచం పొత్తు లేదు
kancham pottegani mancham pottu ledu
Shared plate but not a shared bed.
This expression describes a relationship where people are close enough to eat together or share social meals, but do not share a deep, private, or familial intimacy. It is often used to define the boundaries of a friendship or a formal association where one's private life remains separate.
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.
లంచమిస్తేగాని మంచమెక్కదు.
lanchamistegani manchamekkadu.
It won't get on the bed unless a bribe is given.
This expression is used to describe an extreme state of corruption where nothing moves or functions without a bribe. It satirically suggests that even a basic or inanimate object requires a payoff to perform its duty.
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.