పులుసు వచ్చి, మెతుకును కొట్టుకపోయినట్లు
pulusu vachchi, metukunu kottukapoyinatlu
Like the stew coming and washing away the rice grain.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something that was meant to be supplementary or a side-dish ends up overpowering or destroying the main component. It refers to cases where a small or secondary factor causes the loss of the primary objective or asset.
Related Phrases
మగవాని బ్రతుకు చిప్పనిండ మెతుకు, ఆడదాని బ్రతుకు గంజిలో మెతుకు.
magavani bratuku chippaninda metuku, adadani bratuku ganjilo metuku.
A man's life is a bowl full of grains; a woman's life is a grain in the gruel.
This traditional proverb reflects historical gender roles and social hierarchies. It suggests that a man's life or contribution is seen as substantial and central (a bowl full of food), while a woman's life is often perceived as supplementary or less significant (a single grain in liquid). It is used to describe the disparity in how society values the lives and roles of men and women.
మజ్జిగకు వచ్చి, ముంత దాచినట్లు.
majjigaku vachchi, munta dachinatlu.
Like coming for buttermilk but hiding the pot.
This proverb describes someone who visits for a specific purpose or favor but tries to hide their true intention out of false modesty or hesitation. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the awkwardness of being indirect when the need is obvious.
నన్ను కొడితే కొట్టావుగాని, మా బావను కొట్టు చూద్దాం అన్నట్లు
nannu kodite kottavugani, ma bavanu kottu chuddam annatlu
It's like saying, 'You hit me, that's fine, but let's see you try to hit my brother-in-law'
This expression is used to describe someone who, when bullied or defeated, tries to hide their weakness or save face by challenging the opponent to take on someone stronger. It reflects a hollow threat or a desperate attempt to appear tough by relying on someone else's strength instead of one's own.
పది వేస్తే పచ్చిపులుసు, లేకపోతే పాడుపులుసు
padi veste pachchipulusu, lekapote padupulusu
If ten are added, it is raw tamarind soup; otherwise, it is spoiled soup.
This expression is used to highlight that a task or project can only be successful if the necessary resources, efforts, or people are involved. Without the essential ingredients or support, the result is worthless or a failure. It emphasizes the importance of adequacy and contribution.
మొక్కుకున్న దేవుడు ఎదురుగా వచ్చినట్లు
mokkukunna devudu eduruga vachchinatlu
The god he went to worship met him in the way.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone you desperately needed to see or something you urgently required suddenly appears or happens unexpectedly. It signifies a moment of great relief and luck, similar to a divine intervention when one is in need.
చింత చచ్చినా పులుపు చావదు
chinta chachchina pulupu chavadu
The tamarind may be dried, but it loses not its acidity. Retaining vigour of mind though weakened in body.
This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their wealth, status, or power but still retains their old ego, arrogance, or habits. Just as the acidic quality remains in tamarind even after it dries up, some people refuse to change their stubborn nature despite a change in their circumstances.
చింతపులుసుకన్న చిక్కగ, పచ్చిపులుసుకన్న పలుచగ
chintapulusukanna chikkaga, pachchipulusukanna paluchaga
Thicker than tamarind stew, thinner than raw tamarind soup.
This expression is used to describe something that is inconsistent, vague, or lacks a definite shape or standard. It refers to a situation or a person's behavior that is confusing because it fits neither one extreme nor the other, often used sarcastically to point out poor quality or lack of clarity.
ఉడికిన మెతుకులు తిని, ఉబ్బరపోయినాడు అన్నట్లు
udikina metukulu tini, ubbarapoyinadu annatlu
Like someone who ate cooked rice and became arrogant.
This expression describes a person who becomes overly proud or arrogant after receiving basic necessities or minor successes. It refers to people who forget their humble origins and display unnecessary attitude or ego once their immediate needs are satisfied.
ఊరి పిడుగు వచ్చి వీరిశెట్టిని కొట్టుకొని పోయినది
uri pidugu vachchi virishettini kottukoni poyinadi
The misfortune of the village has carried off Viriśetti. The story is as follows: A burglar in digging through the wall of a house was killed by the wall falling upon him; his wife prosecuted the owner of the house for having badly built walls; the house owner blamed the builder; the builder blamed a woman who had distracted his attention while at his work, by passing by that way; the woman blamed a goldsmith to whom she was going to get certain jewels which he had not finished for her; the goldsmith blamed the banker for not letting him have gold in time; the banker was sentenced accordingly to be impaled, but on the point of being put to death he suggested that the size of the instruments would be much better suited to fat Viriśetti ( to whom he owed a grudge ); fat Viriśetti was executed accordingly. This happened at Anyāyapura ( the city of in- justice ). The innocent suffering for the guilty.
This expression refers to a situation where a common or public problem unexpectedly targets a specific individual. It is often used to describe instances where a general calamity or a random unfortunate event causes personal loss to someone, or when a person is unfairly singled out by fate during a widespread crisis.
కొత్త నీరు వచ్చి పాత నీరు కొట్టుకుపోయినట్లు
kotta niru vachchi pata niru kottukupoyinatlu
The new water came and washed away the old water. A little gain once was the cause of all being lost eventually.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where new people, ideas, or trends replace old ones completely. It is often used when a newcomer takes over the position or influence of someone who has been there for a long time, or when modern methods render traditional ones obsolete.