పొట్లకాయకు రాయి కడితే చక్కనగును గాని, కుక్క తోకకు కడితే ఫలమేమి?

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks decency, respect, or a sense of sanctity. Just as a dog would lick anything without regard for its religious significance (the Shiva Lingam or its base, the Panavattam), a person without shame or character will act inappropriately regardless of the situation or the importance of the objects/people involved.

This expression suggests that basic inherent traits or nature cannot be changed regardless of the circumstances or the food one consumes. It is used to describe a person who continues their characteristic behavior (often flattery or subservience) despite their current state or status.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an unqualified person tries to fix something they don't understand, or when someone uses a deceptive or useless method to solve a problem. It implies that the intervention is both unnecessary and likely motivated by trickery, as a fox cannot truly 'fix' a dog's nature.

This expression highlights the irony of life where things don't align when needed. It describes a situation where you have the opportunity but lack the resources, or you have the resources but the opportunity is gone. It is often used when someone encounters bad luck or poor timing.

This proverb contrasts performance and outcomes based on the nature of the subject. It refers to the idea that a trained, decorated bull (Gangireddu) follows a broad path through the streets, whereas a common or untrained one (Gangiraavu) might wander erratically into every doorway. In a broader sense, it is used to describe how a person's behavior or a specific method determines the extent or quality of the result, often highlighting inefficiency or unnecessary persistence.

This expression describes a situation of poor timing or irony where two things needed for a specific action are never available at the same time. It is used when resources or opportunities are missing exactly when they are most needed, but appear only when the need has passed.

This proverb refers to how one person's hard work might end up being enjoyed or taken over by someone else who did not contribute. It is used to describe situations where the creator of a resource doesn't get to use it.

This proverb highlights the power of external appearances or enhancements. Just as a layer of whitewash or paint can hide the cracks and age of an old wall, dressing up or using cosmetics can improve one's outward appearance regardless of age. It is often used to remark on how external decorations can temporarily mask underlying flaws or aging.

This proverb describes a situation that is joyful for one person but fatal or disastrous for another. It is used to highlight instances where someone's amusement comes at the cost of another's survival or well-being, similar to the English expression 'one man's meat is another man's poison.'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone gives an irrelevant, nonsensical, or evasive answer to a question. It highlights a lack of direct communication or a mismatch between a query and its response, often used when someone tries to avoid a topic by diverting to another illogical point.