పనికి పీనుగు, తిండికి ఏనుగు
paniki pinugu, tindiki enugu
A corpse for work, an elephant for food
This expression is used to describe a lazy person who shows no energy or interest when it comes to doing work (acting like a lifeless corpse), but displays immense appetite and enthusiasm when it is time to eat (acting like a hungry elephant).
Related Phrases
పనికి బడుగు, తిండికి పెడుగు
paniki badugu, tindiki pedugu
Weak for work, a thunderbolt for food
This expression is used to describe a lazy person who avoids physical labor or responsibilities by pretending to be weak or tired, but shows immense energy and appetite when it comes to eating. It is often used sarcastically to criticize someone's lack of productivity compared to their consumption.
ఆకొన్న సింహానికి ఏనుగు దొరికినట్లు
akonna simhaniki enugu dorikinatlu
Like a hungry lion finding an elephant
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone in desperate need or intense desire suddenly finds a massive, perfect opportunity or a great reward. It implies that a long-awaited solution has appeared at just the right time, providing more than enough to satisfy the need.
సొంతానికి ఏనుగు, ఉమ్మడికి పీనుగు
sontaniki enugu, ummadiki pinugu
An elephant for personal use, but a corpse for shared use.
This proverb describes a selfish attitude where an individual takes great care of their own property (treating it like a precious elephant), but neglects or treats shared/collective property with total disregard (like a worthless corpse). It is used to criticize people who lack a sense of responsibility toward public or joint assets.
ఏనుగు మోత, ఏనుగు మేత
enugu mota, enugu meta
The burden of an elephant, the fodder of an elephant
This expression is used to describe a situation or an asset (like a business, project, or luxury item) that yields high results or prestige but requires an equally high level of maintenance and expenditure. It signifies that big ventures come with big responsibilities and costs.
తిండికి పిడుగు, పనికి బడుగు.
tindiki pidugu, paniki badugu.
A thunderbolt for food, a weakling for work.
This proverb is used to describe a lazy person who has a massive appetite and eats very quickly (like a thunderbolt), but becomes tired, weak, or avoids effort when it is time to work. It highlights the irony of someone being energetic about consumption but lethargic about contribution.
ఏనుగులు తినేవాడికి పీనుగులు పిండివంటలట
enugulu tinevadiki pinugulu pindivantalata
To the man that eats elephants, corpses are as pastry.
This proverb is used to describe someone who has committed massive crimes or blunders and views smaller offenses as insignificant. It can also refer to people with extreme habits or capabilities for whom minor challenges are trivial.
A thoroughly bad man won't stick at trifles.
కాటికి పోయిన పీనుగు కట్టెల పాలు కాక ఇంటికి వస్తుందా?
katiki poyina pinugu kattela palu kaka intiki vastunda?
Will a corpse that has gone to the cremation ground return home instead of being consumed by the logs?
This expression is used to describe an irreversible situation or a total loss. Just as a body taken to the pyre will inevitably be burnt and cannot return, it signifies that once something is gone or a certain point of no return is reached, there is no hope of recovery or reversal.
ఏనుగులు తినేవాడికి పీనుగలు పిండివంటలత్తా?
enugulu tinevadiki pinugalu pindivantalatta?
For one who eats elephants, are corpses considered delicacies?
This proverb is used to describe a person who handles massive tasks or challenges and finds small, trivial problems insignificant. It suggests that someone accustomed to grand or difficult things will not be bothered or satisfied by minor, petty matters. It is often used to mock someone trying to threaten or tempt a powerful person with something very small.
తిండికి ఏనుగు, పనికి పీనుగు
tindiki enugu, paniki pinugu
An elephant for eating, a corpse for working.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely greedy or has a huge appetite when it comes to consuming resources or food, but becomes completely useless, lazy, or inactive when it is time to do any work.
విశ్వాసం తప్పిన పీనుగు, మోసినవాడిని పట్టిందట.
vishvasam tappina pinugu, mosinavadini pattindata.
A corpse that has lost its faith/loyalty is said to have caught the person who carried it.
This proverb is used to describe an ungrateful person who causes trouble for the very person who helped or supported them during a difficult time. It highlights the irony and bitterness of being betrayed by someone you served or rescued.