తిండికి తిమ్మరాజు, పనికి పోతురాజు

tindiki timmaraju, paniki poturaju

Translation

A king at eating, but a buffalo at working.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who is very enthusiastic and consumes a lot when it comes to food, but becomes extremely lazy or avoids effort when it is time to work. It highlights the irony of having great energy for consumption but zero energy for productivity.

Related Phrases

In a ruined village, the leg of a cot is the powerful deity Pothuraju.

In a place where there is a complete lack of talent or leadership, even a mediocre or worthless person is considered great or powerful. It is used to describe a situation where someone with very little skill becomes the leader because there is no better competition available.

For a place with no protector, a fox is the village deity!

In a place where there are no capable leaders or guardians, even an insignificant or cunning person becomes the supreme authority. It is used to describe situations where a lack of quality competition allows someone unworthy to hold a position of power.

Pothuraju's authority in Poleramma's wedding.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an insignificant person or someone with no real authority tries to dominate or take charge of an event that doesn't belong to them. It refers to people who act like they are the main person in charge when they are actually just a minor participant.

In a village without a god, the leg of a cot is the guardian deity.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, in the absence of a competent leader or a superior authority, an insignificant or incompetent person assumes control and acts as if they are powerful. It highlights how mediocrity shines when there is no true excellence present.

In a village with no protector, even a fox is the Pothuraju (mighty deity).

This proverb describes a situation where, in the absence of a capable leader or authority figure, an unworthy or cunning person assumes power and acts as if they are the ruler. It is used to mock the authority of someone who has gained importance only because there are no better alternatives available.

Like the fence itself grazing the crop

This expression is used to describe a situation where a protector or guardian ends up being the one who causes harm or exploits those they were meant to protect. It is typically applied to corrupt officials, untrustworthy guardians, or leaders who betray the trust placed in them.

He is a Timma Râzu (monkey-king) at eating; and a Pôta Râzu ( buffalo-king ) at work.

This proverb is used to describe a lazy person who is always first in line when it comes to eating or enjoying benefits, but disappears or becomes completely incompetent when there is work to be done. 'Thimmaraju' implies a regal presence at the dining table, while 'Potharaju' here signifies someone who avoids tasks or is useless at labor.

As greedy as a monkey and as lazy as a buffalo. Like the smith's dog, that sleeps at the sound of the hammer, and wakes at the crashing of the teeth. He eats till he sweats, and works till he freezes.

When someone was called 'King of Kings', they asked if it was for eating or for working.

This expression is used to mock people who are only interested in rewards, status, or benefits (like eating) but are unwilling to put in any effort or take responsibility (the work). It highlights a person's laziness or their tendency to seek privileges without performing duties.

The boy is Pothuraju, and the girl is Ganganamma.

This expression is used to describe a couple or a pair of people who are perfectly matched in their nature, often in a humorous or slightly mocking way. Pothuraju and Ganganamma are fierce local deities; thus, the phrase implies that both individuals are equally aggressive, stubborn, or eccentric, making them a 'made for each other' pair in their own unique way.

To push aside and rule

This expression is used when someone or something is completely ignored, dismissed, or disregarded in favor of something else. It implies setting aside an established rule, person, or suggestion to move forward with a different choice.