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.
Related Phrases
ఇంటివాడు గొడ్డు గేదంటే పొరుగువాడు పాడిగేదె అన్నట్లు
intivadu goddu gedante poruguvadu padigede annatlu
When the owner says the buffalo is barren, the neighbor says it is a milch buffalo.
This proverb describes a situation where someone who has no firsthand knowledge or responsibility regarding a matter contradicts the person who knows the actual facts. It is used to mock people who offer unsolicited, overly optimistic, or ignorant opinions that contradict the reality faced by the person involved.
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.
పండని నేల పందుం కంటే పండే నేల కుంచెడే చాలు
pandani nela pandum kante pande nela kunchede chalu
Rather than ten measures of barren land, a single measure of fertile land is enough.
Quality is far more important than quantity. This proverb is used to explain that having a small amount of something useful or productive is better than having a large amount of something useless. It can apply to land, wealth, or even the character of children.
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.
మూసుకుని కూర్చో
musukuni kurcho
Close (your mouth) and sit
This is a blunt and often rude expression used to tell someone to shut up or stay quiet. It is commonly used when someone is talking unnecessarily, annoying others, or meddling in affairs that do not concern them. It literally instructs the person to 'shut it' and remain still.
మూఢుడికి కోపం వస్తే ముంతడు బియ్యం కుక్క ముట్టింది
mudhudiki kopam vaste muntadu biyyam kukka muttindi
When a fool gets angry, a potful of rice was touched by a dog.
This proverb describes a situation where an irrational or foolish person, in a fit of anger or ego, neglects their responsibilities or resources, leading to a loss. While they are busy being angry or throwing a tantrum, something valuable is wasted or ruined due to their lack of attention.
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.
మానెడు గింజల కోసం పనికి పోతే, కుంచెడు గింజలు దూడ తినిపోయిందట
manedu ginjala kosam paniki pote, kunchedu ginjalu duda tinipoyindata
When someone went to work to earn a 'maanedu' of grains, a calf ate a 'kunchedu' of grains at home.
This proverb describes a situation where a person suffers a large loss while trying to achieve a small gain. It is used to highlight poor prioritization or scenarios where the cost of an endeavor far outweighs the potential reward.
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.
ఉన్నదీ పోయింది, ఉంచుకున్నదీ పోయింది
unnadi poyindi, unchukunnadi poyindi
That which was owned is gone, and that which was kept is also gone
This proverb describes a situation where someone loses what they already possessed while greedily chasing something extra or trying to manage two things at once. It is used to highlight total loss resulting from poor judgment or over-ambition.