తూగుతున్న మునసబును తలమూట దింపుమన్నట్లు

This proverb describes a situation where one asks for help from someone who is already looking for an excuse to stop working or someone who is waiting for an opportunity to exploit you. A 'Sunkari' (tax collector/village guard) would ideally want to stop you to collect tax; by asking him to help lower your bundle, you are voluntarily stopping and inviting trouble or unnecessary interaction with someone who was already lazy or waiting for a chance to intervene.

This expression describes a situation where someone blames external factors or others for their own lack of skill or failure. It is similar to the English proverb: 'A bad workman always blames his tools.'

This expression highlights the essential finishing touches or actions that bring out the best quality in something. Just as tempering (seasoning) is vital for a curry's flavor, properly rinsing and snapping a saree makes it look crisp and beautiful. It is used to signify that certain processes are indispensable for a perfect result.

This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical social dynamics. It suggests that just as a cloth needs a good shake to be clean and a curry needs tempering for flavor, some believe a daughter-in-law needs constant 'correction' or 'nagging' to keep the household running smoothly. It is often used to describe traditional mothers-in-law who justify their strictness as necessary for household discipline.

This expression is used to describe someone who performs actions with excessive or unnecessary stealth, secrecy, or exaggeration for simple, everyday tasks. It mocks people who behave as if they are doing something forbidden or highly significant when they are actually doing something mundane.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a failure or a complex event cannot be blamed on a single factor, but is rather the result of many contributing causes. In the Mahabharata, Karna's downfall was caused by multiple curses, promises, and circumstances happening at once.

This proverb describes a situation where one seeks help from someone who is already negligent, lazy, or looking for an excuse to avoid work. In the olden days, a 'Sunkari' (tax collector) would be looking for any reason to seize goods or cause trouble; asking a sleepy one for help would only result in them waking up to demand taxes or make things harder for you.

This proverb describes a state of indecision or lack of productivity where a person is caught between two tasks and ends up doing neither properly. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be busy but accomplishes nothing, or someone who fails to commit to either work or leisure, resulting in a waste of time.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb reflecting old social dynamics. It suggests that just as a cloth needs vigorous rinsing to be clean and a curry needs tempering (tadka) to be tasty, a daughter-in-law was traditionally thought to need 'discipline' or constant reminders (nagging) to be a good homemaker. It is often used to describe situations where someone is being unnecessarily nitpicked or controlled under the guise of improvement.

This proverb highlights human subjectivity and bias. It suggests that people are often blind to their own faults or mistakes (finding them acceptable or 'pleasant'), but are quick to find the faults of others repulsive or unbearable. It is used to describe situations where someone ignores their own shortcomings while criticizing others for the same.