తోకకు తొంబై, నాకు నలభై అన్నట్లు
tokaku tombai, naku nalabhai annatlu
Ninety for the tail and forty for me.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the secondary or unimportant part of something is prioritized over the primary or essential part. It highlights poor resource allocation, misplaced priorities, or a ridiculous imbalance where the accessory gets more attention or value than the main entity.
Related Phrases
తొంబై తొమ్మండుగురు పోగై తోలు తెగగోసినారట.
tombai tommanduguru pogai tolu tegagosinarata.
Ninety-nine people gathered just to cut a piece of leather.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a large number of people are involved in a very simple task, leading to inefficiency, unnecessary commotion, or an underwhelming result. It highlights the futility of over-organizing or having too many people 'help' with a minor job.
తొడబలం ఉంటే తొంబై మంది ఉన్నట్లు
todabalam unte tombai mandi unnatlu
Having strength in one's thighs is like having ninety people with you.
This expression emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and physical or inner strength. It suggests that if an individual is personally strong and capable, they possess the power equivalent to a large group (ninety people), implying that personal grit is superior to relying on others.
వాడికి నలభై తగిలింది.
vadiki nalabhai tagilindi.
Forty has hit him.
This expression is used to indicate that a man has reached the age of 40. It often carries a connotation that the person is getting older, reaching a mid-life milestone, or perhaps losing some of their youthful energy/hair.
తల ప్రాణం తోకకు వచ్చినట్లు
tala pranam tokaku vachchinatlu
The life in a man's head went into his tail. Applied to strenuous exertions made to accomplish a difficult task.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme exhaustion, severe struggle, or an incredibly difficult ordeal. It conveys the feeling of being pushed to one's absolute limits, as if one's life force is barely hanging on after a grueling task.
వగలాడీ నీకు మగలెందరే అంటే తొలి మగనితో తొంబైమంది అందిట.
vagaladi niku magalendare ante toli maganito tombaimandi andita.
When a flirtatious woman was asked how many husbands she had, she replied 'Ninety including the first one'.
This proverb is used to mock someone who tries to sound modest or innocent while admitting to a large number of faults or misdeeds. It highlights shamelessness and the futility of trying to count or justify excessive bad behavior.
తులము నాలుకకు తొంబై రుచులు
tulamu nalukaku tombai ruchulu
Ninety tastes for a tongue that weighs only a Tola.
This proverb highlights human greed and the constant craving for variety in food. Despite the tongue being a very small organ (a Tola is a small unit of weight), it demands an endless variety of flavors and delicacies. It is used to describe someone who is overly fastidious about food or someone whose desires are disproportionate to their size or status.
ఎన్నడూ ఎరుగనివాణ్ణి ఎద్దుల బేరానికి పంపితే, ఎర్రెద్దుకు ఎనభై, నల్లెద్దుకు నలభై అన్నాడట
ennadu eruganivanni eddula beraniki pampite, erredduku enabhai, nalledduku nalabhai annadata
When a person who knows nothing was sent to trade oxen, he priced the red ox at eighty and the black ox at forty.
This proverb is used to describe an inexperienced or ignorant person who makes arbitrary decisions based on superficial appearances rather than actual value or logic. It highlights the foolishness of assigning tasks to someone who lacks the necessary expertise, as their judgment will be baseless and likely incorrect.
తోడున్న తొంబది తడవలు
todunna tombadi tadavalu
Ninety times if there is company.
This expression suggests that a task becomes significantly easier or can be repeated many times more effectively when one has company or support. It highlights the power of companionship and collaboration in overcoming challenges or sustaining effort.
గుర్రము తోకకు కళ్లెము పెట్టినట్టు
gurramu tokaku kallemu pettinattu
Like putting the bridle on the horse's tail. To put the cart before the horse.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is doing something in a completely wrong, backward, or illogical manner. Just as a bridle belongs on a horse's head to control it, putting it on the tail is useless and absurd. It highlights fundamental errors in planning or execution.
అదిగో పులి అంటే, ఇదిగో తోక తొంబై ఆమడ అన్నట్లు
adigo puli ante, idigo toka tombai amada annatlu
If one says 'there is a tiger', another says 'its tail is ninety miles long'.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone exaggerates a story or a rumor even further than the original speaker. It highlights how rumors spread and grow disproportionately as they pass from person to person.