పీనుగుకు చేసిన జాగారం - గొడ్డావుకు వేసిన ఆహారం

This proverb is used to express that doing a favor for someone who is inherently jealous or hostile (often referring to rival family members or 'palivaru') is a waste of effort. Just as decorating a corpse is useless because it cannot appreciate or return the gesture, helping an ungrateful or malicious rival will never result in gratitude or a positive outcome.

This proverb describes hypocrisy or ulterior motives. It refers to a person who pretends to be engaged in a holy or selfless act (like chanting prayers) while actually focusing on a selfish or harmful scheme (like catching fish). It is used to describe someone whose outward actions look pious, but whose intentions are purely exploitative.

This expression refers to a situation where a lot of effort, money, or energy is spent on something that is already useless or dead. It describes a futile act or an event where there is no appreciation or benefit, as the recipient is unable to enjoy or respond to the efforts made.

This expression is used to describe something that is fixed, permanent, or impossible to undo. Just as a wet knot becomes tighter and harder to untie, and turmeric applied to a cauterized wound stays fixed to the skin, this phrase refers to a decision or situation that is finalized and unchangeable.

This is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth'. It means that one should not find faults or criticize the quality of something received as a gift or for free.

This proverb highlights tasks that are futile and result in no appreciation or lasting benefit. Just as decorating a corpse is useless because the body is lifeless, working for a royal palace (or a fickle authority) often goes unrewarded and unrecognized, regardless of the effort put in. It is used to describe thankless jobs or wasted labor.

This proverb highlights the feelings of guilt and shame. Just as a person who owes money avoids the lender out of embarrassment, a person who has done something wrong lacks the courage or confidence to face others directly. It is used to describe the loss of dignity or boldness resulting from wrong actions or financial burdens.

This expression refers to a wasted effort or a pointless celebration. Just as organizing a grand festival or carnival for a dead person is useless and provides no benefit to the subject, it describes actions taken or resources spent where they are completely unappreciated or ineffective.

A vain ceremony.

This expression is used to describe an action or expenditure that is completely useless or wasted. Just as ornaments and makeup on a dead body do not bring it back to life or serve any practical purpose, certain efforts in life yield no results or benefits.

A foolish undertaking. He paints the dead.

This expression suggests that individuals become accustomed to the environment they are raised in, no matter how toxic or harsh it may be. It is used to describe people who have grown up in negative circumstances and therefore find those conditions normal or even necessary for their survival.