ఓపలేని వాడు నెయ్యి నాకినట్లు
opaleni vadu neyyi nakinatlu
Like a weak person licking ghee.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is lazy, incapable, or lacks strength attempts to do something in a very inefficient or half-hearted manner, or tries to enjoy benefits without putting in the necessary hard work. It highlights the irony of a person who claims they cannot work but has the energy to consume rich or luxurious things.
Related Phrases
పొరుగింటి నెయ్యి, పెండ్లాము చెయ్యి
poruginti neyyi, pendlamu cheyyi
Neighbor's ghee, wife's hand.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is overly generous or extravagant because the resources being used do not belong to them. It implies that people tend to spend or give away others' wealth much more freely than they would their own.
వెన్నముద్ద పారవేసి వ్రేళ్ళు నాకినట్లు
vennamudda paravesi vrellu nakinatlu
Like throwing away a lump of butter and licking one's fingers.
This proverb describes a person who abandons something valuable or substantial only to struggle for something trivial or of much lesser value. It is used to critique poor decision-making where a person ignores a great opportunity right in front of them and settles for the remnants.
పాయసంలో నెయ్యి వలికినట్లు
payasamlo neyyi valikinatlu
Like the ghi falling into the milk pudding.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something good happens within an already positive or beneficial context. Since ghee is an expensive and tasty ingredient that enhances the flavor of kheer, spilling it into the dish is not seen as a loss or a waste, but rather an added benefit or a fortunate gain.
When a pot of ghi slipped from a woman's hand, it fortunately fell into a pudding. He is like a cat, he always falls on his feet.
కుక్కకు నెయ్యి ఎక్కడైనా అరుగుతుందా?
kukkaku neyyi ekkadaina arugutunda?
Can a dog ever retain ghi? He always throws it up.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person of low character or merit cannot handle respect, wealth, or a high position. Just as ghee is considered a rich, sacred food that a dog's stomach supposedly cannot process, certain people cannot gracefully accept or sustain good fortune or honorable treatment without behaving inappropriately.
నిప్పులో నెయ్యి పోసినట్లు
nippulo neyyi posinatlu
Like pouring ghee into the fire
This expression is used to describe an action that worsens an already volatile or tense situation. Just as ghee makes a fire blaze more intensely, this phrase refers to 'adding fuel to the fire'—making someone angrier or making a conflict more severe.
పొరుగింటి అట్లకు నెయ్యి కాచినట్లు
poruginti atlaku neyyi kachinatlu
Like melting ghee for the neighbor's pancakes.
This expression describes a situation where someone works hard or spends resources on something that only benefits others and provides no benefit to themselves. It is used to highlight wasted effort or misplaced generosity where the doer gains nothing.
రూకలేని వాడు పోక చేయలేడు.
rukaleni vadu poka cheyaledu.
A person without a coin cannot even buy a betel nut.
This proverb highlights the importance of money for even the smallest tasks or necessities. It suggests that without financial resources, one's ability to act or progress in the world is severely limited, emphasizing that money is a fundamental requirement for basic transactions.
వెన్న కొద్దీ నెయ్యి
venna koddi neyyi
Ghee is proportional to the butter.
This proverb means that the quality or quantity of the final output depends entirely on the input or the effort invested. Just as the amount of clarified butter (ghee) produced depends on how much butter you start with, the results of a task are determined by the resources or merit available.
బెల్లము పారవేసి చేయి నాకినట్లు
bellamu paravesi cheyi nakinatlu
Like throwing away the jaggery and licking the hand.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone lets go of a valuable asset or a major opportunity and tries to find satisfaction in the minor, insignificant remnants. It highlights poor decision-making and the foolishness of missing the main point while focusing on the trivial.
నిప్పుకు నెయ్యి తోడయినట్లు
nippuku neyyi todayinatlu
Like adding ghee to fire
This expression is used to describe a situation where an already intense emotion or conflict is further escalated or fueled by an additional factor. Similar to the English idiom 'adding fuel to the fire,' it signifies making a bad situation worse or making an existing anger even more explosive.