ఉమ్మడి గొర్రె పుచ్చి చచ్చింది
ummadi gorre puchchi chachchindi
The sheep which was the joint property of two persons, was deserted and died.
This proverb highlights the lack of individual responsibility in shared tasks. When a sheep is owned by multiple people in partnership, everyone assumes someone else is looking after its health, leading to neglect and its eventual death. It is used to describe situations where communal property or joint projects fail because no one takes specific ownership or accountability.
The ass of many owners is eaten by wolves. (Spanish.)* Between two stools fall to the bottom.
Related Phrases
వచ్చిన పేరు చచ్చినా పోదు
vachchina peru chachchina podu
The reputation gained will not leave even after death
This expression emphasizes that once a person earns a certain reputation—whether good or bad—it stays with them for life and remains even after they pass away. It is often used to remind someone that their actions have long-lasting consequences on their legacy.
మొగుడు చచ్చిన వెనక ముండకు బుద్ధి వచ్చినది.
mogudu chachchina venaka mundaku buddhi vachchinadi.
After her husband's death, the jade came to her senses.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone realizes their mistake or understands the importance of something only after it is permanently lost or when it is too late to rectify the damage. It highlights the futility of late realization.
పొత్తుల మగడు పుచ్చి చచ్చెను.
pottula magadu puchchi chachchenu.
The joint-husband was neglected and died.
This proverb describes a situation where a task or responsibility shared by many people ends up being neglected because everyone assumes someone else will take care of it. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Everybody's business is nobody's business.' It is used when collective responsibility leads to total failure.
The ass that is common property is always the worst saddled. ( French. )*
ఇచ్చింది ఇచ్చి పుచ్చుకున్నట్లు
ichchindi ichchi puchchukunnatlu
Giving what was given and taking back what was taken
This expression is used to describe a situation where an exchange or transaction results in no net gain or change, essentially returning to the original state. It is often used to describe futile efforts or circular logic where one ends up exactly where they started.
అచ్చిపెళ్ళి బుచ్చి చావుకు వచ్చింది
achchipelli buchchi chavuku vachchindi
Achi's wedding led to Buchi's death
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's celebration or positive event unexpectedly results in trouble or a disaster for someone else. It highlights unintended negative consequences or a stroke of bad luck occurring simultaneously with a good event.
ఇచ్చినవాడే నచ్చినవాడు, చచ్చినవాడే అచ్చినవాడు
ichchinavade nachchinavadu, chachchinavade achchinavadu
The one who gives is liked, the one who dies is free of debt.
This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.
ఉమ్మడి గొడ్డు పుచ్చి చస్తుంది
ummadi goddu puchchi chastundi
A common ox dies of neglect (decay).
This proverb refers to the 'tragedy of the commons'. When a responsibility is shared by many people without a single owner, nobody takes proper care of it, eventually leading to its ruin or death.
తినమరిగిన ప్రాణం అల్లాడి చచ్చింది
tinamarigina pranam alladi chachchindi
The body accustomed to sumptuous living was distressed for want of food. Applied to a man whose malpractices have been put a stop to, but who is eagerly seeking an opportunity of renewing them.
This expression describes a situation where someone who is used to a life of luxury, comfort, or indulgence suffers immensely when those comforts are taken away. It is used to highlight the struggle of overcoming a habit or a standard of living that one has become overly dependent upon.
వచ్చిన వాడు చచ్చినా పోదు.
vachchina vadu chachchina podu.
Calumny is not removed even by death.
This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.
Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.
సగం చచ్చి పురాణం, అంతా చచ్చి సంగీతం.
sagam chachchi puranam, anta chachchi sangitam.
Dying halfway for Puranas, dying completely for music.
This proverb is used to describe tasks or hobbies that are extremely exhausting, time-consuming, or require immense struggle to master. It suggests that learning ancient scriptures (Puranas) takes half of one's life/energy, but mastering music (Sangeetam) demands one's entire life and soul.