తినేవి తిప్పకాయలు, వెళ్ళగ్రక్కేవి వెలగకాయలు
tinevi tippakayalu, vellagrakkevi velagakayalu
The ones eaten are small bitter fruits, but the ones vomited out are large wood apples.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone puts in very little effort or investment but expects or claims to have achieved massive results. It highlights the exaggeration of outcomes or the irony of someone who consumes something of low value but boasts about producing something of high value.
Related Phrases
చేటలో వెలగకాయలవలె
chetalo velagakayalavale
Like wood apples in a winnowing tray.
This expression describes a situation where things or people are scattered, unorganized, and constantly rolling or moving about without stability. It is often used to refer to a lack of unity or a group where members are not cooperating and are heading in different directions.
నేతి బీరకాయలాగా
neti birakayalaga
Like a ghee-ridge gourd
This expression is used to describe something that is empty, deceptive, or lacks the quality its name suggests. Just as a ghee-ridge gourd (Nethi Beerakaya) contains no actual ghee, this phrase refers to people, objects, or promises that sound valuable but are practically useless or hollow.
చింతకాయలు బేరంచేస్తూ, వంకరటింకర కాయలేమి అన్నట్లు
chintakayalu beranchestu, vankaratinkara kayalemi annatlu
While bargaining for tamarinds, asking why they are crooked.
This proverb is used to describe someone who finds fault in the natural or inherent characteristics of an object or situation just to get a lower price or to criticize for the sake of it. Since tamarinds are naturally crooked, complaining about their shape while trying to buy them is illogical and hypocritical.
చింతకాయలు ఎరుగని దొరసాని, చింతకాయలను చూచి కొడవళ్ళా అన్నదట
chintakayalu erugani dorasani, chintakayalanu chuchi kodavalla annadata
The lady who had never seen tamarinds asked if they were sickles upon seeing them.
This proverb describes someone who is completely ignorant of common, everyday things but tries to act sophisticated or superior. It is used to mock people who lack practical knowledge or those who make ridiculous assumptions about simple matters due to their lack of exposure.
చేసేవి నాయకాలు, అడిగేవి తిరిపాలు, పెట్టకుంటే కోపాలు.
chesevi nayakalu, adigevi tiripalu, pettakunte kopalu.
He gives himself the airs of a great man, but begs for alms, and is angry if he gets none.
This proverb is used to describe a person who puts on grand airs or acts superior while actually depending on others' charity, and further exhibits entitlement by getting angry when their demands are not met. It highlights the irony of having a big ego despite being in a position of dependency.
ఏనుగకు వెలక్కాయలు లొట లొట
enugaku velakkayalu lota lota
A wood apple is very small in an elephant's throat. A very easy matter.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a resource or quantity is completely inadequate for someone's huge appetite or vast requirements. Just as a small wood apple is insignificantly small for a giant elephant, it refers to something being 'like a drop in the ocean' or vanishing instantly without satisfying the need.
తనతో వచ్చింది తనియాలు, రానన్నది వెలయాలు
tanato vachchindi taniyalu, ranannadi velayalu
What came with him are coriander seeds; she who refused to come is a courtesan.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone experiences a loss or a failed expectation but tries to hide their disappointment or pride by making excuses or belittling the value of what they lost. It highlights the tendency to rationalize a failure by claiming that what was obtained is sufficient or that what was lost wasn't worth having anyway.
చింతకాయలు అమ్మేదానికి సిరిమానం వస్తే, ఆ వంకరటింకరవి ఏమి కాయలు అన్నదట
chintakayalu ammedaniki sirimanam vaste, a vankaratinkaravi emi kayalu annadata
When a woman who sells tamarind gets prosperity, she asks what those crooked fruits are.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, upon achieving sudden wealth or a higher status, pretends to be unfamiliar with their humble origins or the very things that once formed their livelihood. It highlights hypocrisy, false pride, and the tendency to look down upon one's past.
పచ్చి వెలగకాయ గొంతున పడ్డట్టు
pachchi velagakaya gontuna paddattu
Like an unripe wood apple sticking in one's throat. Distress caused by continual worrying.
This expression is used to describe a very uncomfortable, awkward, or distressing situation that one can neither swallow nor spit out. It refers to a state of being stuck in a dilemma or a painful predicament where no immediate solution is visible.
కట్టేవి కాషాయాలు, దూరేవి దొమ్మరి గుడిసెలు
kattevi kashayalu, durevi dommari gudiselu
Wearing saffron robes, but entering the huts of vagabonds.
This expression describes hypocrisy, specifically regarding moral or spiritual character. It refers to someone who maintains an outward appearance of holiness or high status (symbolized by saffron robes) while secretly engaging in low, immoral, or contradictory activities (symbolized by entering huts of ill-repute). It is used to call out double standards or fake piety.