తామరాకు మీద నీటిబొట్టులా
tamaraku mida nitibottula
Like a drop of water on a lotus leaf. A very unsettled state.
This expression describes a state of detachment or instability. Just as water stays on a lotus leaf without getting absorbed or sticking to it, it represents a person who remains unaffected by worldly attachments or circumstances despite living among them. It can also describe something that is fleeting or precarious.
Related Phrases
అవసరగాడికి ఆకులో పెడితే, నాకు బోకులో పెట్టమన్నట్టు.
avasaragadiki akulo pedite, naku bokulo pettamannattu.
When served in a leaf for the needy, he asked to be served in a bowl instead.
This proverb describes someone who is in desperate need but still acts picky or makes unreasonable demands. It is used to criticize people who, despite being in a position where they should be grateful for any help, show arrogance or dissatisfaction with the way they are being assisted.
కోతికి కల్లు తాగించినట్లు
kotiki kallu taginchinatlu
Like making a monkey drink toddy (palm wine)
This expression is used to describe a situation where a naturally mischievous or restless person becomes even more uncontrollable, chaotic, or hyperactive due to external factors. It is used when someone's existing negative traits are amplified by bad influence or circumstances.
కుంపట్లో తామర మొలిచినట్టు
kumpatlo tamara molichinattu
Like a lotus springing up in a chafing dish. Utterly incredible.
This expression refers to something precious, beautiful, or talented appearing in an unlikely, poor, or unfavorable environment. It is used to describe a brilliant person born into a poor family or a virtuous person found in a bad neighborhood.
ఓటి కుండలో నీళ్ళు పోసినట్టు
oti kundalo nillu posinattu
Like pouring water into a leaky pot
This expression is used to describe a situation where effort or resources are being completely wasted on something that cannot be salvaged or retained. It refers to a futile action where despite continuous input, there is no result or progress because the foundation is fundamentally flawed or broken.
ఓడ మల్లయ్య చుక్కాని పట్టినట్లు
oda mallayya chukkani pattinatlu
Like Oada Mallayya holding the rudder.
This expression is used to describe someone who is incompetent or lacks the necessary skills for a task, yet takes charge of it, eventually leading to a certain disaster. It implies that the person in control is clueless about the direction they are headed.
పొరుగు పచ్చగా ఉంటే, పొయ్యిలో నీళ్లు పోసుకున్నట్టు
porugu pachchaga unte, poyyilo nillu posukunnattu
When his neighbour prospered he poured water on his own hearth.
This proverb describes the toxic nature of extreme envy. It refers to people who are so jealous of others' success or prosperity (being 'green') that they self-destruct or extinguish their own progress and happiness (extinguishing their own cooking fire) out of spite or misery.
An envious act. To lose one eye that you may deprive another of two. (Spanish.)!
అద్దంలో నీడకు ఆశపడినట్టు.
addamlo nidaku ashapadinattu.
Like longing for the reflection in a mirror.
This expression is used to describe chasing an unattainable illusion or wasting effort on something that is not real. It signifies the folly of being attracted to a mere shadow or reflection rather than the actual object.
నీళ్లు మూటకట్టినట్టు.
nillu mutakattinattu.
Tying up water in a bundle. He draws water with a sieve.
This expression is used to describe a futile, impossible, or extremely difficult task. Just as it is impossible to pack or tie water into a bundle with a cloth, this phrase refers to situations where efforts are wasted on something that cannot be contained, managed, or achieved.
తొక్కలేనమ్మ తొక్కులో నీళ్లు పోసిందట
tokkalenamma tokkulo nillu posindata
The woman who couldn't peel (the mangoes) poured water into the pickle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic skills or competence, but attempts to 'help' or perform a task only to ruin it completely. It highlights how an incompetent person's intervention often makes a situation worse.
తొక్కలేనమ్మ తొక్కులో నీళ్లు పోసిందట
tokkalenamma tokkulo nillu posindata
The woman who couldn't pound, put water into the condi- ments. She was too lazy to pound the condiments and therefore purposely spoilt them.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the skill or knowledge to perform a task but still attempts it, only to end up ruining it completely. It highlights incompetence or a lack of basic common sense in a specific situation.