సగం ఈడుకు సమర్తకట్నాలు
sagam iduku samartakatnalu
Gifts for the puberty ceremony when half of life's age is already passed.
This expression is used to describe actions that are taken too late or are no longer relevant to the situation. It mocks the irony of performing a ritual or giving a gift when the appropriate time for it has long passed, similar to 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.
Related Phrases
సగం సాలె నేత, సగం మాల నేత
sagam sale neta, sagam mala neta
Half weaver's weaving, half laborer's weaving
This proverb is used to describe work that is inconsistent, fragmented, or lacks uniformity. It refers to a task performed by people with different styles or skill levels, resulting in a product that is not seamless or professionally finished. It is often applied to situations where multiple people handle a single job without coordination, leading to a messy outcome.
తొలి సమర్త గూద దిగినట్లు.
toli samarta guda diginatlu.
Like the first menstruation ending up in the anus.
This is a crude but common folk expression used to describe a situation where a first-time effort or a primary task goes completely wrong or ends up in the wrong place due to ignorance, bad luck, or extreme incompetence. It signifies a total failure of a crucial debut or start.
చచ్చే కాలానికి సమర్త కట్నాలు.
chachche kalaniki samarta katnalu.
Puberty gifts at the time of death.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone receives or attempts something useless or inappropriate for their current stage or condition. It refers to gifts given during a girl's puberty ceremony (samarta), which are completely meaningless or ill-timed when one is facing death or an end of an era.
మణుగు సగము, మైలా సగమే.
manugu sagamu, maila sagame.
Half purity, half impurity.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks consistency or a situation that is neither here nor there. It refers to someone who tries to follow traditional customs (purity) but fails to do so completely (impurity), resulting in a state of confusion or hypocrisy. It characterizes an inconsistent or messy approach to tasks.
ఆకాశ వర్తకుడు
akasha vartakudu
A trader in the air. A swindler. An impostor.
This expression is used to describe a person who makes big claims or lofty promises without any real substance or capital. It refers to someone who 'deals in thin air,' often used for people who exaggerate their business prospects or build 'castles in the air.'
మాచికమ్మ సమర్తాడిందట నాలుగు తాటాకు ముక్కలిమ్మన్నట్టు.
machikamma samartadindata nalugu tataku mukkalimmannattu.
Like saying Machikamma has reached puberty, so give her four pieces of palm leaves.
This proverb is used to describe someone who makes a big deal or creates a grand announcement out of a trivial or insignificant event, often expecting a reward or recognition for something of little value. It mocks the act of publicizing something unimportant just to ask for small, worthless favors.
చావు కాలానికి సమర్త కట్నాలు
chavu kalaniki samarta katnalu
Gifts for a puberty ceremony during a time of death.
This expression is used to describe an extremely inappropriate or ill-timed action. It highlights the absurdity of celebrating a joyful milestone or worrying about trivial formalities when a major tragedy or crisis is occurring. It is used when someone brings up irrelevant or festive matters at a somber and critical moment.
పంతులకు కట్నాలు, మాకు పట్నాలు
pantulaku katnalu, maku patnalu
Gifts for the teacher, and cities for us.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one person receives a small, immediate reward (like a ritual fee) while the other person gains something vast and significant (like territory or knowledge). It highlights a disparity in gains or results between two parties involved in the same activity.
సగం సాలనేత, సగం మాల నేత
sagam salaneta, sagam mala neta
Half weaver's weave, half scavenger's weave
This expression refers to a task or piece of work that is done inconsistently or in a haphazard manner. It describes something that is neither here nor there, lacking a uniform standard or quality because it was handled by different people with different skill levels or methods. It is used to criticize a job that lacks perfection and coherence.
సమర్థుడికి చాకలివాడు లోకువ
samarthudiki chakalivadu lokuva
The washerman is an easy target for the powerful man.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a powerful or strong person vents their frustration on someone weaker or subordinate rather than addressing the actual source of their problem. It highlights the tendency of people to bully or blame those who cannot fight back.