తిరునాళ్ళకు పోయి వచ్చిన మొహం మాదిరి
tirunallaku poyi vachchina moham madiri
Like a face that has returned from a religious fair (Tirunalla)
This expression is used to describe someone who looks extremely exhausted, weary, or unkempt. Religious fairs in India are traditionally crowded, dusty, and physically draining; therefore, a person returning from one would look tired and drained of energy.
Related Phrases
తిరునాళ్లకు పోతావా, తిండికి పోతావా?
tirunallaku potava, tindiki potava?
Are you going for the festival ( lit. holy days ) or for the feast ?
This expression is used to question someone's true motives or priorities. It highlights a situation where a person claims to be attending an event for its primary purpose (like a religious festival) but is actually more interested in secondary benefits or personal gains (like the free food).
తిండిలేనమ్మ తిరుణాళ్లకు పోతే ఎక్కనూ దిగనూ సరిపోయిందట
tindilenamma tirunallaku pote ekkanu diganu saripoyindata
When a woman who had no food went to a fair, her time was spent just climbing up and down.
This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks basic resources but attempts a grand or busy task, only to find that the effort required for the logistics of the task consumes all their energy without yielding any benefit. It is used to mock people who participate in events they cannot afford or sustain, resulting in unnecessary struggle instead of enjoyment.
తిండిలేనమ్మ తిరునాళ్ళకుపోతే ఎక్కాదిగా సరిపోయింది
tindilenamma tirunallakupote ekkadiga saripoyindi
If a woman with no food goes to a festival, it's just enough for her to climb (the stairs/hill).
This proverb describes a situation where someone who is already struggling takes on a new endeavor, only to find that the effort required for the endeavor consumes whatever little resources they had left. It is used when a person's attempt to improve their situation or enjoy something actually results in more exhaustion or loss because they were ill-prepared or lacked the basic means to begin with.
తేరుండేదాకానే తిరునాళ్లు.
terundedakane tirunallu.
The festival lasts only as long as the chariot is there.
This proverb suggests that certain opportunities, privileges, or attention are temporary and only last as long as the main attraction or source of power remains. It is used to remind someone that their current influence or the celebrations around them will end once the central figure or cause departs.
తీరుతీరు గుడ్డలు కట్టుకొని, తిరునాళ్ళకు పోతే, ఊరికొక గుడ్డ ఊడిపోయిందట
tirutiru guddalu kattukoni, tirunallaku pote, urikoka gudda udipoyindata
When one went to the village fair wearing various kinds of clothes, one cloth fell off at every village along the way.
This proverb describes a situation where someone loses their assets, pride, or resources bit by bit due to mismanagement, misfortune, or a long journey. It is often used to mock someone who starts with a lot of pomp and show but ends up with nothing by the time they reach their destination.
సంతకు పోయి వచ్చిన ముఖం
santaku poyi vachchina mukham
A face that looks like it just returned from a weekly market
This expression is used to describe someone who looks extremely exhausted, weary, or dull after a long, tiring activity or a chaotic event. Just as a person returning from a crowded, dusty, and loud village market (santa) looks drained of energy, this phrase highlights a person's physical or mental fatigue.
ఈతలకుపోయినవాడు, ఇల్లుకాలినవాడు, తాళ్ళకుపోయినవాడు తండ్రి చచ్చినా రాడు.
italakupoyinavadu, illukalinavadu, tallakupoyinavadu tandri chachchina radu.
One who has gone for palm wine, one whose house is burning, and one who has gone to the toddy trees will not come even if their father dies.
This proverb describes people who are so deeply involved or stuck in specific situations that they cannot be reached or distracted by anything else, even a family tragedy. It highlights the behavior of those who are either too focused on their addictions (toddy/palm wine) or too overwhelmed by their own personal disasters (house burning) to fulfill social or family obligations.
కోడలా నీ భోగమెంతసేపే అంటే, మా అత్త మాలవాడకుపోయివచ్చిందాక అన్నదట
kodala ni bhogamentasepe ante, ma atta malavadakupoyivachchindaka annadata
When asked 'Daughter-in-law, how long will your enjoyment last?', she replied 'Until my mother-in-law returns from the workers' colony.'
This proverb is used to describe a temporary sense of freedom or authority. It refers to a situation where someone enjoys power or pleasure only because their superior or person in charge is momentarily absent, and they know the fun will end the moment that authority figure returns.
కుక్క సంతకుపోయినట్లు
kukka santakupoyinatlu
Like a dog going to a village market
This expression is used to describe someone who goes to a place or joins an event where they have no purpose, relevance, or benefit. Just as a dog at a crowded market gets pushed around and gains nothing, it refers to aimless wandering or being out of place in a busy situation.
తిక్కలవాడు తిరునాళ్ళకు పోతే, ఎక్కాదిగా ఏడునాళ్ళు పట్టిందట.
tikkalavadu tirunallaku pote, ekkadiga edunallu pattindata.
When a foolish man went to a fair, it took him seven days just to climb up.
This proverb is used to describe an eccentric or foolish person who gets distracted or stuck on a simple, initial task, taking an excessive amount of time to accomplish something that should be quick. It mocks those who lack focus or common sense in practical situations.