ఉద్దెర అయితే ఊళ్ళు కొంటారు, నగదు అయితే నశ్యం కూడా కొనరు.
uddera ayite ullu kontaru, nagadu ayite nashyam kuda konaru.
If it's on credit, they will buy whole villages; if it's for cash, they won't even buy a pinch of snuff.
This proverb describes people who are overly ambitious or extravagant when they don't have to pay immediately, but become extremely stingy or cautious when they have to spend their own ready cash. It is used to mock someone's tendency to over-commit when there is no immediate financial consequence.
Related Phrases
చవక అయితే బాజారుకు వస్తుంది
chavaka ayite bajaruku vastundi
When cheap it comes to the bazar.
This proverb is used to imply that things of true value or high quality are not easily available or common. It suggests that if something valuable were easy to obtain or inexpensive, it would be as common as any ordinary item found in a local market.
అగ్గువ అయితే అంగడికి వస్తుంది
agguva ayite angadiki vastundi
If it becomes cheap, it comes to the market
This proverb is used to describe something that has become so common or cheap that it is easily available to everyone. It is often used in a slightly mocking or cynical way to suggest that when the value or quality of something decreases, it loses its exclusivity and becomes public property or common knowledge.
ఉద్దర అయితే నాకిద్దరు అన్నాడట.
uddara ayite nakiddaru annadata.
If it is for free, give me two, he said.
This proverb is used to mock people who are overly greedy or take undue advantage when something is offered for free. It describes a situation where someone wants more than they need simply because they don't have to pay for it.
దానము అయితే ఇవ్వలేను, దండగ అయితే పెట్టగలను.
danamu ayite ivvalenu, dandaga ayite pettagalanu.
As for charity, I can't give; as for fines, I can pay. Said by a quarrelsome ruffian.
This proverb is used to describe a person's stubbornness or a specific situation where one refuses to spend money for a noble cause or charity (Danamu), but is eventually forced to spend even larger amounts on fines, losses, or useless expenses (Dandaga) due to their own negligence or ego.
అగ్గువ అయితే అంగడికి వస్తున్నది
agguva ayite angadiki vastunnadi
When it is cheap, it comes to the bazar.
This proverb is used to criticize something of poor quality or low value. It implies that items are only readily available or brought to the market in abundance when they are cheap or inferior. It can also be applied to people or situations where someone shows up only when there is an easy benefit or no effort required.
వీసానికి వీసన్నర అయితే, దూలన్నర ఎంత?
visaniki visannara ayite, dulannara enta?
If a rafter and half goes for a Visam, how much for a beam and a half? Chaffing an arithmetician.
This proverb is used to mock someone who is bad at basic arithmetic or logic. It illustrates a situation where a simple calculation is over-complicated or where the math is nonsensical, highlighting the absurdity of the person's reasoning or the disproportionate nature of a deal.
వీసానికి వాసిన్నర అయితే, దూలన్నర ఎంత?
visaniki vasinnara ayite, dulannara enta?
If a 'veesam' costs one-and-a-half 'vaasi', how much is a 'doolannara'?
This is a sarcastic expression used to dismiss someone who is talking nonsense or using complex, made-up calculations to confuse others. It is a retort to illogical arguments or meaningless statistics, essentially asking 'If your premise is nonsense, what is the value of this other nonsense?'
అగ్గువ అయితే అందరూ కొంటారు
agguva ayite andaru kontaru
When it is cheap, all will buy.
This proverb is used to describe things that are easily accessible or low in price, leading to high demand regardless of quality. It can also be used metaphorically to suggest that when something loses its value or rarity, it is no longer exclusive or special.
అగ్గువ అయితే అందరూ కొంటారు.
agguva ayite andaru kontaru.
If it is cheap, everyone will buy it.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a product, service, or idea is so low in price or effort that people flock to it regardless of its quality or necessity. It highlights the human tendency to be attracted to low-cost items and is often used as a cautionary remark about value versus price.
అదను కాని పదును అయితేనేమి? గియితేనేమి?
adanu kani padunu ayitenemi? giyitenemi?
What if it is sharp when the time is not right?
This expression emphasizes that resources, skills, or opportunities are useless if they are not available at the right moment. It is used to point out that timing is more important than quality or preparation in specific critical situations.