పనికి పీనుగు, తిండికి ఏనుగు

paniki pinugu, tindiki enugu

Translation

A corpse for work, an elephant for food

Meaning

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.