పావలాకు పడుకుంటే, పందుం బియ్యం బేపి తినిపోయిందట.
pavalaku padukunte, pandum biyyam bepi tinipoyindata.
When one slept for a quarter-rupee coin, a ghost ate away bushels of rice.
This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to save a small amount of money or effort leads to a massive loss. It is used to mock people who are 'penny wise and pound foolish,' showing that neglect or cheapness can cause significant damage.
Related Phrases
ముడి బియ్యం తింటే ముప్పు గడుస్తుందా?
mudi biyyam tinte muppu gadustunda?
If one eats unpolished rice, will danger pass?
This proverb is used to criticize people who focus on trivial or small-scale changes (like diet) while ignoring major, imminent threats or problems. It implies that minor precautions cannot avert a significant calamity.
పందుం తిన్నా పరకడుపే, ఏదుం తిన్నా ఏకాదశే
pandum tinna parakadupe, edum tinna ekadashe
Though he eat ten Tûms of food he will say he is starving ; and though he eat five Tûms, he will say it is a fast.
This proverb is used to describe an insatiable appetite or a situation where no matter how much is consumed or provided, it never seems to be enough or satisfying. It can also refer to people who constantly complain of lack despite having plenty.
తన బుట్టి చిల్లులదైతే, పొరుగువానితో అపరాలు కొలిచాడట
tana butti chilluladaite, poruguvanito aparalu kolichadata
When his Puṭṭi was found to be of short measure, he tested the Pandum and Para of his neighbour. Puṭṭi, Pandum and Para are measures of capacity. When a man was found cheating with a false measure, he tried to prove that his neighbour's measures were too large.
This proverb is used to describe a person who ignores their own glaring flaws or lack of resources while trying to compete with or involve themselves in others' business. It highlights the irony of someone attempting to manage a task when they don't even have the basic tools ready, often resulting in waste or failure.
చూస్తూ ఊరకుంటే మేస్తూ పోయిందట
chustu urakunte mestu poyindata
While someone watched silently, it went away grazing.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's passivity or inaction leads to a loss or a missed opportunity. It highlights how being a silent spectator while an issue is unfolding can result in the situation drifting out of control or moving away entirely. It is often used to criticize someone who failed to act when they should have.
పండు పడకకు చెప్పకుండా పోయినాడు
pandu padakaku cheppakunda poyinadu
He left without telling the fruit or the bed.
This expression is used to describe someone who leaves a place very suddenly, secretly, or without informing anyone. It implies a quiet or abrupt departure where no one was given notice.
చుట్టాలకు పెట్టినిల్లు చుట్టపోయింది, వేల్పులకు పెట్టినిల్లు విచ్చిపోయింది
chuttalaku pettinillu chuttapoyindi, velpulaku pettinillu vichchipoyindi
The birth-house for relatives is rolled up, and the birth-house for gods is scattered.
This proverb is used to describe a state of complete ruin or destitution where one is no longer able to offer hospitality to relatives or perform traditional worship. It reflects a situation where someone who was once prosperous and charitable has lost everything and can no longer fulfill their social or religious obligations.
పందుం తిన్నా పరగడుపే, ఏదుం తిన్నా ఏకాదశే
pandum tinna paragadupe, edum tinna ekadashe
Even after eating ten measures it is an empty stomach, even after eating five measures it is a fast.
This proverb is used to describe a person with an insatiable appetite or someone who is never satisfied no matter how much they receive. It figuratively refers to a situation where a massive amount of effort or resources are consumed, yet the result remains as if nothing was done at all.
పావలాకు పడుకుంటే పందుం బియ్యం గేదె తినిపోయిందట.
pavalaku padukunte pandum biyyam gede tinipoyindata.
Sleeping to save a quarter-rupee coin resulted in a buffalo eating away measures of rice.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's laziness or attempt to save a small amount of money or effort results in a significant loss. It highlights the consequences of being 'penny wise and pound foolish' or neglecting responsibilities for trivial comfort.
అడ్జెడాళ్ళకు ఆత్రతపడితే కుంచెడాళ్ళు దూడ తినిపోయిందట
adjedallaku atratapadite kunchedallu duda tinipoyindata
While greedily rushing for a small measure of grain, the calf ate up a larger measure.
This proverb describes a situation where someone loses something valuable or significant because they were too preoccupied or greedy for something small and insignificant. It is used to caution against being 'penny wise and pound foolish' or losing focus on the big picture due to minor distractions.
ఆడపలు వేసినవి అత్తా అంటే, అట్లకు బియ్యం నానబొయ్యి కోడలా అన్నదట.
adapalu vesinavi atta ante, atlaku biyyam nanaboyyi kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said the clouds had gathered, the mother-in-law told her to soak rice for crepes.
This proverb describes a situation where someone misinterprets a sign of trouble or a warning as a reason for celebration or greed. When the daughter-in-law warns of dark clouds (incoming rain/storm), the mother-in-law, thinking only of tasty food, asks to prepare for snacks. It is used to mock people who lack foresight or who are disconnected from reality due to their desires.