పని అంటే నా వేళ్లు భారగిస్తాయి, భోజనమంటే నా వేళ్లు పొంగి వస్తాయి.
pani ante na vellu bharagistayi, bhojanamante na vellu pongi vastayi.
If you talk of work, my body becomes heavy; if you talk of dinner, my body swells [ with delight ].
This expression is used to describe a lazy person who avoids physical labor or work by giving excuses of being tired or weak, but shows immense energy and enthusiasm when it comes to eating.
The trade of thick-headed Michael: eating, drinking, and idling. ( Dutch. )*
Related Phrases
విస్తళ్లు ఎత్తమంటే, భోజనం చేసినవారు ఎంతమంది అని అడిగినట్లు.
vistallu ettamante, bhojanam chesinavaru entamandi ani adiginatlu.
When told to remove the leaves, he asked how many people had dined. An impertinent question.
This proverb describes a person who tries to avoid work or a simple task by asking unnecessary, irrelevant questions to delay or shirk their responsibility. It is used when someone makes a simple job seem complicated to get out of doing it.
నంది అంటే నంది, పంది అంటే పంది
nandi ante nandi, pandi ante pandi
If he says it's Śiva's bull, it is Śiva's bull; if he says it's a pig, it is a pig.
This expression describes extreme sycophancy, blind obedience, or a 'yes-man' attitude. It is used to characterize someone who agrees with everything a powerful person says, even if the statements are contradictory or obviously false, just to please them.
Said of the power of a great and unjust man.
వెట్టి మూటకీ, పంక్తి భోజనానికి ముందుగా వెళ్ళాలి.
vetti mutaki, pankti bhojananiki munduga vellali.
One should go early for forced labor loads and for communal row dining.
This proverb highlights a practical, if cynical, wisdom regarding social obligations and survival. In the olden days, 'vetti' (forced labor) required people to carry heavy loads; being first allowed one to pick the lightest load. In 'pankthi bhojanam' (communal dining in rows), arriving early ensured a good spot and that food wouldn't run out. It is used to advise someone to be proactive and punctual to secure the best possible outcome in both difficult tasks and rewarding opportunities.
ఏరు వస్తే వాన వెలుస్తుంది.
eru vaste vana velustundi.
When the river arrives, the rain stops.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a minor concern or source of relief is superseded by a larger event, or specifically, that once a major outcome is achieved (the river flowing), the preliminary signs (the rain) are no longer needed. It is often used to imply that after a long-awaited result occurs, the struggles leading up to it come to an end.
వెళ్లిపొమ్మంటే, పెళ్లికి వెళ్దామన్నట్లు
vellipommante, pelliki veldamannatlu
When told to leave, acting as if invited to a wedding
This expression describes a person who thick-skinnedly ignores a clear rejection or an order to leave, instead pretending they were invited to stay for a celebration. It is used to mock someone who is unwelcome but refuses to take the hint or is intentionally being stubborn and naive to serve their own interest.
ఇల్లా నారాయణమ్మ అంటే వెళ్ళూ గోవిందా అన్నట్లు
illa narayanamma ante vellu govinda annatlu
When said 'Stay, Narayanamma', she replied 'Go, Govinda'.
This proverb describes a situation where there is a complete lack of coordination or communication between two people. It is used when one person's words or actions are entirely irrelevant or contrary to what another person has said, often implying a stubborn or dismissive attitude.
వండుతూ ఉండగా వాంతి వస్తున్నది అంటే, ఉండి భోజనం చేసి పొమ్మన్నదట.
vandutu undaga vanti vastunnadi ante, undi bhojanam chesi pommannadata.
When she said she felt like vomiting while cooking, the host told her to stay and leave only after eating.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is given an absurd or unwanted suggestion in response to a problem. It satirizes people who lack common sense or empathy, or those who insist on formalities even when the situation is inappropriate or uncomfortable.
వండుతూ ఉండగా వాంతి వస్తున్నది అంటే, ఉండి భోజనం చేసి పొమ్మన్నదట
vandutu undaga vanti vastunnadi ante, undi bhojanam chesi pommannadata
When he said "[The sight of] your cooking makes me sick," she replied "Please stay and eat your dinner before you go."
This proverb is used to describe a sarcastic or ironic situation where a person's excuse to avoid a task or a place is met with an even more inconvenient or absurd demand. It highlights the lack of empathy or total misunderstanding of someone's discomfort, or a situation where someone is forced to endure exactly what they are trying to escape from.
పూటలు మూడు, భోజనం ఒకటి.
putalu mudu, bhojanam okati.
Three sessions, but only one meal.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme poverty or scarcity. It refers to a situation where despite the day having three natural meal times (morning, afternoon, and night), a person can only afford or find enough food to eat once.
పెండ్లికి వెళ్దామంటే, వెళ్లిపోదామంటాడు.
pendliki veldamante, vellipodamantadu.
One man said " Let us go to the marriage," the other replied " Let us leave the country."
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely impatient or always in a hurry. It refers to a person who wants to reach the end of a task or leave a place before they have even properly arrived or started.
A spirit of contradiction.