పప్పులో ఉప్పు వేసేటప్పుడు చెప్పమంటే, చప్పున వేసి తీసి అత్తకు అప్పజెప్పాను అందట

pappulo uppu vesetappudu cheppamante, chappuna vesi tisi attaku appajeppanu andata

Translation

When asked to inform before putting salt in the dal, she said she quickly put it in and handed it over to her mother-in-law.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or misunderstands a simple instruction. Instead of 'telling' (cheppadam) before doing the action as requested, the person 'puts' (veyyadam) it quickly due to the phonetic similarity of the words in Telugu or sheer negligence, leading to an undesired result. It highlights the behavior of doing things in a hurry without thinking.

Related Phrases

The thought of repaying should exist at the very moment the loan is taken.

This expression emphasizes financial integrity and responsibility. It suggests that one should only borrow money if they have a clear intention and plan to repay it, rather than worrying about repayment only when the deadline approaches. It is used to advise people to be cautious and honest in their financial dealings.

One must surrender to the creditor, for wasn't there great joy while taking the loan?

This proverb is used to remind someone that if they enjoyed the benefits of borrowing money or taking a favor, they must also face the consequences or the difficulty of repayment without complaining. It highlights the contrast between the pleasure of acquisition and the pain of settlement.

Listening to hearsay leads to ruin.

This expression warns against acting upon rumors or gossip without verification. It suggests that paying heed to malicious talk or the instigations of others will ultimately lead to one's own downfall or harm.

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.

Hiding behind a fence when told to do it oneself, but acting like a master of virtues when telling others.

This proverb is used to describe a hypocritical person who avoids responsibility or hides when it is their turn to perform a task, yet eagerly gives advice and lectures others on how to do things perfectly. It is similar to the English expression 'Practicing what you preach.'

Like throwing salt into the fire

This expression is used to describe someone who gets extremely irritated, flares up in anger, or reacts with instant agitation. Just as salt crackles and pops loudly when thrown into a fire, it refers to a person's explosive or sharp temper in response to a situation.

Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.

This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.

When [the priest] applies [the law] to himself he screens himself [from its penalty]; but in laying down [the law] for others he is a beauty.* Justice, but not in my own house. (Spanish.)† No one likes justice brought home to his own door. (Italian.)

This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves hypocritically. It refers to someone who hides their own faults or avoids responsibility (hiding behind a screen) but gives moral lectures and acts like a paragon of virtue (pile of virtues) when judging others.

Like mixing salt to create a bond

This expression is used to describe an inseparable bond or a deep friendship. Just as salt dissolves completely into food and cannot be separated once mixed, it refers to people or things that have become perfectly integrated or united.

I told the crowd, but did I tell myself?

This expression is used to describe a person who gives advice to everyone else but fails to follow that same advice in their own life. It highlights hypocrisy or the gap between preaching and practicing, similar to the English idiom 'Practice what you preach.'