తమంత లేదంటే, తవ్వెడైనా ఇవ్వమన్నట్లు
tamanta ledante, tavvedaina ivvamannatlu
If you cannot give the whole amount, at least give a small measure (tavva).
This expression is used when someone is unwilling to fulfill a large request and is then asked to at least provide a small, minimal portion. It highlights a compromising attitude where something is considered better than nothing, or mocks someone who settles for a pittance when their original high demand is rejected.
Related Phrases
మొక్కుబడే లేదంటే, ఒక్కదాసరికైనా పెట్టమన్నట్లు
mokkubade ledante, okkadasarikaina pettamannatlu
If there is no vow to fulfill, at least offer food to one dasari (devotee).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone settles for a much smaller, symbolic task when they are unable or unwilling to complete the original, larger commitment. It reflects a compromise to satisfy one's conscience or to maintain appearances even when the primary goal is abandoned.
తడిమి చల్లితే తవ్వెడే.
tadimi challite tavvede.
If you squeeze and scatter it, it's only a Tavva (a small measure).
This proverb is used to describe something that appears large or plentiful on the surface but is actually very small or insignificant when closely examined or compacted. It is often used to refer to people who boast or show off when they actually have very little substance, wealth, or knowledge.
ఎంతయ్యా ఇవ్వాళ బేరంలో లాభమంటే, ఎరిగినవాడు వెట్టివాడు రాలేదన్నాడట
entayya ivvala beramlo labhamante, eriginavadu vettivadu raledannadata
When asked how much profit was made in the business today, he replied that neither the known person nor the free laborer showed up.
This proverb describes a situation where a business or person survives primarily by exploiting acquaintances or using unpaid labor rather than through actual skill or fair trade. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be successful but is actually just taking advantage of others or lacks a sustainable business model.
అడ్డెడు తవ్వెడు బియ్యమిచ్చి, అమ్మా నీప్రసాదమన్నట్లు
addedu tavvedu biyyamichchi, amma niprasadamannatlu
Giving a measure of rice and then asking for it back as a divine offering.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives a very small or insignificant contribution but acts as if they are receiving a great favor or blessing in return. It refers to people who try to take credit for something they barely contributed to, or those who expect others to provide for them using the very resources they themselves provided.
పాపమని పట్టెడంబలి పోస్తే, కారం లేదని కచ్చేరికి ఎక్కినట్లు.
papamani pattedambali poste, karam ledani kachcheriki ekkinatlu.
When offered a bowl of porridge out of pity, one went to court complaining it lacked spice.
This proverb describes extreme ingratitude or entitlement. It is used when someone receives help or a favor during a difficult time but instead of being thankful, they find petty faults or demand even more from the person who helped them.
దున్న ఈనినదంటే, దూడను గాట కట్టి వేయమన్నట్లు
dunna ininadante, dudanu gata katti veyamannatlu
When someone says the male buffalo has given birth, the other person asks to tie the calf to the peg.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone blindly believes or agrees with an absurdity without using any logic or common sense. It highlights the foolishness of following a false statement with an even more irrational action.
తనకు అని తవ్వెడు తవుడు ఉంటే, ఆకటి వేళకు ఆరగించవచ్చును
tanaku ani tavvedu tavudu unte, akati velaku araginchavachchunu
If you have even a Tavva ( 1 lb. ) of bran of your own, you can eat it when you are hungry.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and personal savings. It means that even a small amount of resources, if owned by oneself, will be useful and provide relief during difficult times or emergencies. It suggests that having a little of your own is better than depending on others' wealth.
Store is no sore.
వాదు తెచ్చుకోవాలంటే, అప్పు ఇవ్వమన్నారు.
vadu techchukovalante, appu ivvamannaru.
If you want to start a quarrel, they say give a loan.
This expression suggests that lending money is a sure way to ruin a relationship and create conflict. It is used to caution people that when you lend money to friends or relatives, it often leads to arguments, bitterness, and the eventual loss of both the money and the friendship.
ఇల్లు కాలి ఏడుస్తుంటే చుట్టకు నిప్పిమ్మన్నట్లు
illu kali edustunte chuttaku nippimmannatlu
Like asking for fire to light a cigar while the house is burning down and someone is crying.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is being extremely insensitive, selfish, or opportunistic during another person's tragedy. It is used when a person focuses on their own trivial needs or petty desires while ignoring a major crisis happening right in front of them.
గంగగోవు పాలు గంటెడైనా చాలు, కడవెడైన నేమి ఖరము పాలు
gangagovu palu gantedaina chalu, kadavedaina nemi kharamu palu
A spoonful of a sacred cow's milk is enough; what is the use of a potful of donkey's milk?
Quality is far more important than quantity. A small amount of something virtuous or valuable is much better than a vast amount of something useless or inferior. This proverb is often used to emphasize that one good person or one wise word is better than a crowd of fools or a long, meaningless speech.