తొడ పలుచనగు నింతికి నడిగండిగలు పెద్ద
toda paluchanagu nintiki nadigandigalu pedda
For a woman with thin thighs, the calf muscles seem large.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a minor asset or quality appears significant only because the primary or fundamental aspects are lacking. It highlights how relativity can make small things seem disproportionately large when compared to something even smaller or weaker.
Related Phrases
వానతోడ వచ్చు వడగండ్లు నిలుచునా?
vanatoda vachchu vadagandlu niluchuna?
Will the hailstones that come with the rain stay forever?
This proverb is used to describe things or people that arrive with a lot of noise or force but are short-lived. Just as hailstones melt quickly despite their sudden impact during a storm, certain problems, displays of anger, or boastful people do not last long.
పైరు పలుచనైతే పాతళ్ళు నిండుతవి, మెండైతే వాములు దండి
pairu paluchanaite patallu nindutavi, mendaite vamulu dandi
If the crop is sparse, the underground pits fill up; if it is dense, the haystacks will be abundant.
This agricultural proverb explains the trade-off in grain production. When plants are spaced out (sparse), each plant produces heavy, high-quality grain that fills storage pits (pāthallu). When the crop is dense, there is more vegetation leading to larger haystacks (vāmu), but the grain yield per plant might be less. It is used to suggest that quality or quantity can vary based on density and resource distribution.
పందిగా పదేండ్లు బ్రతికేకన్నా నందిగా నాలుగేండ్లు బతికితే చాలు
pandiga padendlu bratikekanna nandiga nalugendlu batikite chalu
Instead of living for ten years as a pig, it is enough to live for four years as a Nandi (sacred bull).
Quality of life is more important than quantity. It is better to live a short, dignified, and honorable life than to live a long life in disgrace or without any purpose.
తొట్టపలచన దానికి తూటు పెద్ద
tottapalachana daniki tutu pedda
For something already very thin/weak, the hole is very large.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a problem or resource is already fragile or scarce, and a new issue or demand makes it significantly worse. It is similar to the English concept of 'adding insult to injury' or 'making a bad situation worse,' specifically in the context of limited resources or physical weakness.
మంది పలుచనైతే, గంజి చిక్కన అవుతుంది.
mandi paluchanaite, ganji chikkana avutundi.
If the crowd becomes thin, the porridge becomes thick.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where fewer people sharing a limited resource results in a larger or better portion for each individual. It is often used in a sarcastic or cynical context to suggest that having fewer people around (or less competition) is beneficial for personal gain.
పాలు పిండని పశువు మేతకు పెద్ద
palu pindani pashuvu metaku pedda
The cow that gives no milk is the first one to eat the fodder.
This proverb describes a person who is lazy or unproductive when it comes to work, yet is the most demanding and ahead of everyone else when it comes to benefits, food, or rewards. It is used to criticize someone who contributes nothing but consumes a lot.
పలుచని పైరు పాతరలు నింపు
paluchani pairu pataralu nimpu
A thin crop fills the granaries
This is an agricultural proverb implying that crops planted with proper spacing (thinly) yield better results than those planted too densely. It is used to convey that quality and proper management are more important than sheer quantity or overcrowding for a successful outcome.
పాపమని పాలుపోస్తే, పలుచనని పారబోసినాడట.
papamani paluposte, paluchanani parabosinadata.
When milk was given out of pity, he poured it out saying it was too thin.
This proverb describes someone who is ungrateful or overly critical of an act of kindness. It is used when a person receives help or a gift but instead of being thankful, they find minor faults in it and reject or complain about it.
కళ్ళం పళ్ళెం పెద్దదిగా ఉండాలి
kallam pallem peddadiga undali
The threshing floor and the plate should be large.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of generosity and abundance. It suggests that one should have a large heart (represented by a large plate for eating) and a productive workspace (represented by the threshing floor). It is used to encourage someone to be more liberal, resourceful, or to aim for prosperity and sharing rather than being stingy.
కడిగండము కాచును
kadigandamu kachunu
Washing protects against calamity.
This proverb highlights the importance of hygiene and cleanliness. It suggests that the simple act of washing (hands, feet, or body) can ward off diseases or 'gandamu' (critical dangers/accidents), implying that being clean prevents many avoidable troubles.