పప్పు దప్పళానికి నీవు, పాపోసు దెబ్బలకు నేనా

pappu dappalaniki nivu, paposu debbalaku nena

Translation

You for the dal and stew, and me for the slipper beatings?

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe an unfair or exploitative situation where one person enjoys all the rewards, benefits, or delicious food, while the other person is left to face all the hardships, punishments, or consequences. It highlights the inequality in sharing responsibilities versus rewards.

Related Phrases

Taking a loan to eat lentil rice.

This expression is used to describe a person who lives beyond their means or spends borrowed money on luxuries and comforts instead of being frugal. It highlights the short-sightedness of enjoying life through debt.

When excessive pampering cried for vadas, the back ended up receiving blows.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who is overly spoiled makes unreasonable demands, only to face harsh consequences or punishment instead. It is used to warn that over-indulgence leads to behavior that eventually invites trouble or discipline.

Rope lashings for infatuation and slipper hits for a coquette.

This proverb suggests that infatuation or reckless passion needs to be restrained with force (like a cattle rope), and a flirtatious person who crosses boundaries needs to be humbled or corrected with harsh treatment. It is used to imply that certain behaviors only stop when met with strict punishment.

Eating lentil rice by taking a loan.

This proverb describes a person who lives a lavish or comfortable lifestyle beyond their means by borrowing money. It refers to the habit of prioritizing immediate luxury or indulgence without worrying about future debt or financial consequences.

The one who has teeth doesn't have nuts, and the one who has nuts doesn't have teeth.

This proverb describes the irony of life where opportunities or resources often come to those who cannot utilize them, while those who have the capability or desire lack the necessary means. It is used to express that life is rarely fair or perfectly balanced.

Rice-dal mix without dal, stew without salt.

This expression refers to something that is incomplete, ineffective, or lacks the essential component that gives it value. Just as 'Pulagam' is incomplete without dal and 'Dappalam' (stew) is tasteless without salt, it is used to describe a situation, a person's work, or an event that is pointless or lacks substance.

In unfavorable times, even a frog becomes a ghost.

This proverb is used to describe how when someone's luck is bad or they are going through a period of misfortune, even the smallest, most insignificant problems or people can become major obstacles and cause significant trouble.

The strike of a hawk that has dived and the strike of a tiger at a watering hole are unavoidable.

This proverb highlights the inevitability of certain outcomes when an expert or a predator is in their element. It is used to describe situations where a calculated attack or a predetermined consequence is impossible to escape, emphasizing that once a professional or a force of nature commits to an action, success for them (and failure for the target) is certain.

If the king decides, will there be a shortage of beatings?

This proverb implies that when a person in a position of high authority or power decides to cause harm or create trouble, they have endless means to do so. It is used to describe situations where someone powerful can easily punish or harass others at their whim.

If God decides, will there be a shortage of blows?

This proverb is used to express that when one's luck is bad or when divine fate is against them, troubles and misfortunes come in quick succession from all directions. It is often used to lament a series of unexpected hardships or to suggest that one cannot escape destiny when it turns unfavorable.