పెట్టగల బచ్చలిపాదు, కొనగల గేదె మేసిపోయింది.
pettagala bachchalipadu, konagala gede mesipoyindi.
The buffalo you intended to buy has eaten up the vegetables I intended to plant. Taunting a man who is always talking but never acts.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a minor loss is exaggerated or when someone makes a big deal out of a small, easily replaceable resource being consumed by another common asset. It highlights that both the thing lost and the thing that consumed it are easily replaceable or attainable, so the loss is not catastrophic.
Related Phrases
ఏదీ కానివేళ గేదె ఈనినట్లు
edi kanivela gede ininatlu
Like a buffalo giving birth at an inconvenient time.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an event—even a positive one—occurs at the worst possible time or under unfavorable circumstances, making it more of a burden than a blessing. It highlights bad timing or ironic misfortune.
కందకులేని నస బచ్చలికేల?
kandakuleni nasa bachchalikela?
When the yam itself doesn't itch, why should the malabar spinach?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a third party is more bothered, excited, or concerned about an issue than the person directly involved. It highlights unnecessary interference or over-enthusiasm by someone who has no stake in the matter.
మలప గేదె మానెడు పాలు ఇచ్చును
malapa gede manedu palu ichchunu
The buffalo that has stopped giving milk for a while will give a gallon of milk.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person or thing returns to a task after a long break with renewed energy or high productivity. It suggests that rest or a hiatus can lead to better results upon resumption.
చెడిపోయిన బ్రాహ్మణుడికి చచ్చిపోయిన ఆవును దానము చేసినట్టు
chedipoyina brahmanudiki chachchipoyina avunu danamu chesinattu
Like offering a dead cow to an outcast Brahman. Knock a man down, and kick him for falling. Him that falls all the world run over. (German.) All bite the bitten dog. (Portuguese.)
This expression describes a situation where one useless or ruined thing is given to someone who is already in a helpless or destitute state. It refers to a mock charity or a futile gesture where neither the giver is making a sacrifice nor the receiver is getting any benefit. It is used to mock instances where someone tries to solve a problem with a worthless solution.
మూడువందలు పెట్టి గేదెను కొని, మూడణాలు పెట్టి తాడు కొనలేనట్లు.
muduvandalu petti gedenu koni, mudanalu petti tadu konalenatlu.
Like buying a buffalo for three hundred rupees but failing to buy a rope for three annas.
This proverb is used to describe a person who spends a large sum of money on an expensive asset or project but refuses to spend a tiny additional amount on a necessary accessory or maintenance tool required to make it functional. It highlights the foolishness of being 'penny wise and pound foolish.'
రాగల శని రామేశ్వరము పోయినా తప్పదు
ragala shani rameshvaramu poyina tappadu
Even if you perform a pilgrimage to Râmêśvaram, the pre- destinated evil will not fail to overtake you.
This proverb is used to convey that one's destiny or the consequences of their fate cannot be escaped simply by changing locations or seeking divine intervention. It highlights the inevitability of certain hardships and is often used when someone tries to run away from their problems only to find them following them anyway.
మూసి పెడితే పాసిపోయింది
musi pedite pasipoyindi
When covered, [the food] became bad. The evil consequences of a crime are aggravated by its con- cealment.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where something (like an idea, a skill, or even food) is kept unused or hidden for too long, causing it to lose its value, freshness, or relevance. It highlights that keeping things suppressed or inactive often leads to their decline.
చచ్చిన బర్రె పాతెడు పాలిచ్చేది
chachchina barre patedu palichchedi
The dead buffalo used to give a potful of milk.
This proverb is used to describe the tendency of people to exaggerate the value or qualities of something or someone only after they are gone or lost. It highlights how people romanticize the past or overestimate the worth of a missed opportunity.
కందకు లేని దురద బచ్చలికేమి
kandaku leni durada bachchalikemi
If the Kanda possess no acridity, why should it be looked for in the Bachchali ?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a third party is more concerned, anxious, or reactive about an issue than the person directly involved. Just as the Yam (Kanda) causes itching but the Spinach (Bachali) cooked with it does not, it highlights the irony of meddling or overreacting to someone else's problems.
Bachchali is Basella Cordifolia ( the Indian spinach ).
అప్పుచేసి ఆవును కొనవచ్చునుగాని, గేదెను కొనరాదు
appuchesi avunu konavachchunugani, gedenu konaradu
One can buy a cow by taking a loan, but one should not buy a buffalo with a loan.
This proverb highlights the difference between investments that yield long-term, easy-to-manage benefits versus those that require high maintenance. In traditional agrarian culture, a cow's maintenance is cheaper and its products are considered sacred/pure, making it a safer debt-funded investment. A buffalo, while giving more milk, requires much more fodder, water, and care, making it a risky choice if one is already in debt.