తూమెడు వడ్లు తూర్పారబట్టేటప్పటికి, ఏదుము వడ్లు ఎలుకలు తినిపోయినవి

This proverb describes a situation where a person, in an attempt to gain a small profit or save a small amount, ends up suffering a much larger loss. It is used to caution against being penny-wise and pound-foolish, or when greed for a small gain leads to significant negligence of existing assets.

This proverb implies that certain tasks cannot be accomplished without exertion, pressure, or even a degree of conflict/opposition. Just as grain needs the forceful impact of a pestle to be processed, some results in life require a 'sparring partner' or a challenge to manifest.

This proverb describes a situation where a person suffers a large loss while chasing a very small gain. It is used to mock poor planning or misplaced priorities where the effort to earn something tiny results in neglecting and losing something much more valuable.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person, driven by greed for a small gain, ends up suffering a much larger loss due to negligence. It highlights the foolishness of losing sight of one's existing assets while pursuing minor, insignificant benefits.

This proverb describes a situation where the effort put into a small task results in a disproportionately large loss elsewhere due to negligence. It is used to mock people who focus on trivial matters while ignoring significant damage occurring right under their noses, or when the cost of an operation exceeds the benefit gained.

Tûm is the Indian bushel.

This expression describes an incompatible or mismatched combination. Just as mixing curd with unhusked rice makes it impossible to eat or separate effectively, it is used to characterize situations where two things that don't belong together are joined, or when a task is done in a messy, disorganized, and unusable manner.

This expression is used to describe an incompatible or mismatched combination. Just as smooth yogurt and hard, prickly unhusked rice do not blend well or make for a pleasant meal, it refers to situations where two people, things, or ideas are brought together but do not fit or work in harmony.

This proverb describes a situation where the effort spent on a small task results in a much larger loss due to negligence or lack of focus on the bigger picture. It is used when someone's trivial gains are outweighed by significant, preventable losses occurring simultaneously.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the expenditure or waste exceeds the actual income or resource. It highlights scenarios where the cost of protecting or maintaining something is higher than the value of the object itself.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic, fundamental knowledge of a subject yet attempts to perform complex tasks within that field. It highlights the absurdity of someone skipping the basics and trying to handle advanced matters, leading to inevitable failure or confusion.