పట్నం పోయి పుట్నాల గింజ తెచ్చాడన్నట్లు

This expression describes a manipulative or extremely shrewd person who gives something of very little value (a small date seed) to gain something much more valuable (a large palmyra seed). It is used to caution against people who perform small favors only to demand or extract much larger benefits in return.

Íta is the wild date ( Phoenix Sylvestris ). Tāḍu is the Palmyra ( Borassus Flabelliformis ). Offering a gift of slight value for the purpose of gaining a rich present. Throw in a sprat to catch a salmon.

This expression is used to mock someone who undertakes a long, arduous journey or puts in significant effort, only to return with something useless, non-existent, or disappointing. Since donkeys do not lay eggs, it highlights the absurdity and futility of the person's claim or achievement after a grand endeavor.

This proverb is used to describe someone who goes to a great distance or undertakes a significant journey/effort, but returns with something worthless or fails to achieve anything meaningful. It highlights the irony of putting in immense effort for a trivial or useless outcome.

This proverb suggests that when a person loses everything or fails in their hometown, they head to a big city (historically Chennai/Madras for Telugus) to start over or find new opportunities. It is used to describe a situation where someone seeks a fresh start in a distant place after a setback.

This proverb describes a situation where someone goes out expecting a benefit or a pleasant outcome but returns with something harmful or a punishment instead. It is used to mock poor decision-making or bad luck where an attempt to gain something resulted in a loss.

This expression is used to describe a person who, despite having access to something incredibly beautiful, divine, or valuable, chooses something mundane, cheap, or useless instead. Rambha represents the pinnacle of celestial beauty, while a spinning wheel (raatnamu) represents a common, laborious tool. It highlights poor judgment or a lack of taste.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unnecessarily interferes in something or creates a problem for themselves where there wasn't one before. It is similar to the English idiom 'To look for trouble' or 'To stir a hornet's nest'.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone puts in an enormous amount of effort, time, or resources, only to achieve a very trivial or insignificant result. It highlights the disproportion between the struggle and the outcome.

This proverb is used to describe how things often seem more impressive, grand, or attractive when we have no personal connection or responsibility towards them. It highlights the tendency to over-praise foreign places or unfamiliar situations while disregarding their flaws, simply because we don't have to deal with the daily realities or consequences of living there.

This proverb is used to describe the inherent nature or qualities of different things. It signifies that every object or person has their own specific utility and characteristics, emphasizing that one should understand the natural state or the processed form of things to appreciate their value.