తానే శెట్టి అంటే, మూడే సోలలు అమ్మినాడట
tane shetti ante, mude solalu amminadata
When he claimed to be a merchant, he sold only three measures of grain.
This expression is used to mock someone who boasts about their greatness or skills but fails to deliver even a small result. It highlights the gap between grand claims and mediocre performance.
Related Phrases
పూలు అమ్మిన చోట పుడకలు అమ్మినట్టు
pulu ammina chota pudakalu amminattu
Like selling firewood where flowers were sold.
This proverb describes a person who has fallen from a high, prosperous, or prestigious status to a lowly or poor condition. It signifies the misfortune of having to do menial work in the same environment where one previously enjoyed success and respect.
లాభం లేనిదే శెట్టి వరదలో పడిపోడు
labham lenide shetti varadalo padipodu
Without a profit, a merchant wouldn't even jump into a flood.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely calculating and never does anything unless there is a personal benefit or profit involved. It is used to highlight the opportunistic or materialistic nature of individuals who prioritize gain over risk or logic.
వంకర టింకర కాయలు ఏమిటివి అంటే, చిన్ననాడు అమ్మిన చింతకాయలు అన్నాడట
vankara tinkara kayalu emitivi ante, chinnanadu ammina chintakayalu annadata
When she asked "What are those crooked pods?" they re- plied "The unripe tamarinds you sold in your youth." The story goes that the daughter of very poor parents who in her youth had to go about selling the unripe tamarinds she was able to gather from under the trees, afterwards became the wife of a rich man. Passing through the streets one day in her grand palankin, she superciliously enquired what a tamarind girl was selling, when her bearers replied as above, "These are the tamarinds Madam, which you sold in your youth." To take one a peg lower. You used to be a baker though now you wear gloves. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to justify their current mistakes or poor behavior by linking them to past habits or experiences. It also mocks people who give obvious or silly explanations for things that are common knowledge, pretending as if they have discovered something unique.
తానే సెట్టి అని మూడే గిద్దలంటాడు
tane setti ani mude giddalantadu
Calling himself the head merchant, he says there are only three 'giddas'.
This expression is used to describe a person who talks big or holds an authoritative position but lacks basic knowledge or competency. A 'gidda' is a small unit of measurement; a merchant not knowing standard measures is ironic. It highlights the gap between one's self-importance and their actual ability.
గంధము అమ్మిన చోట కట్టెలు అమ్మినట్టు.
gandhamu ammina chota kattelu amminattu.
Like selling firewood where sandal had been sold. Said of the ruin of what once was beautiful.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone or something has lost its former glory, dignity, or high status. It refers to a decline in quality or a person resorting to menial tasks after having held a prestigious position.
అంతా అర్ధము అమ్మితే, అత్తను కానక కోడలు ముత్తము అమ్మింది.
anta ardhamu ammite, attanu kanaka kodalu muttamu ammindi.
When everyone sold their properties, the daughter-in-law sold her jewelry without consulting her mother-in-law.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes a foolish or reckless action based on peer pressure or by following a trend without proper understanding or consultation. It highlights the consequence of acting blindly without looking at the long-term impact or seeking advice from elders/experienced people.
ఏమి పోలిశెట్టి అంటే, ఎప్పటి మొత్తుకోళ్ళే అన్నాడట
emi polishetti ante, eppati mottukolle annadata
When asked 'How are things, Polisetti?', he replied 'The same old lamentations'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time. It refers to people who are chronically pessimistic or situations where problems persist indefinitely without any improvement, much like someone who always responds with complaints regardless of when they are asked.
తానే తుమ్మి తానే శతాయుష్షు అనుకున్నాడట
tane tummi tane shatayushshu anukunnadata
He sneezed himself and blessed himself with a long life.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is self-centered or lacks external validation. It refers to someone who makes their own decisions, praises their own work, or validates their own actions without anyone else's input or approval. It is often used to mock someone who is being both the judge and the jury in their own case.
పూవులమ్మిన అంగడిలోనే కట్టెలు అమ్మినట్లు
puvulammina angadilone kattelu amminatlu
Like selling firewood in the same shop where flowers were once sold.
This expression describes a situation where someone who once lived a dignified or prosperous life has now fallen into a lowly or difficult state. It refers to a significant decline in status, quality, or circumstances, comparing the fragrance and beauty of flowers to the ruggedness and toil associated with selling firewood.
వాగులో పోతున్నావే సెట్టీ అంటే, లాభం లేందే పోతానా అన్నట్లు
vagulo potunnave setti ante, labham lende potana annatlu
When asked, 'Merchant, why are you being swept away in the stream?', he replied, 'Would I go without a profit?'
This proverb describes a person who is so driven by greed or profit that they try to justify even a disastrous situation or a loss as a calculated move for gain. It is used to mock people who pretend to be in control or act as if they are profiting even when they are clearly facing a calamity.