ఉన్నదీ పోయింది, ఉంచుకున్నదీ పోయింది

unnadi poyindi, unchukunnadi poyindi

Translation

That which was owned is gone, and that which was kept is also gone

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone loses what they already possessed while greedily chasing something extra or trying to manage two things at once. It is used to highlight total loss resulting from poor judgment or over-ambition.

Related Phrases

What remains is solid; what is lost was just husk.

This expression is used to find consolation after a loss, suggesting that the essential or valuable part remains while only the superficial or worthless part was lost. It is often used to encourage resilience and focusing on what one still possesses.

Shame was lost the day I left; whatever little remained was lost with the task.

This expression is used to describe a person who has completely lost their sense of shame or self-respect in pursuit of a goal. It implies that a person initially cast aside their dignity to get something done, and now they are entirely indifferent to criticism or social embarrassment.

What was given is gone, and the principal will never return.

This expression is used to describe a situation where money or resources lent or invested are completely lost. It signifies a total loss where neither the profit/interest nor the original capital is recoverable. It is often used as a cautionary remark about bad debts or risky ventures.

What was found on the road was spent on charity

This expression is used to describe money or resources that were acquired easily (without effort) and were subsequently lost or spent just as easily. It conveys the idea of 'Easy come, easy go'—implying that one doesn't feel much regret over losing something they didn't work hard to earn.

What one had is gone, and what one kept (or acquired) is also gone.

This expression describes a situation where a person loses their original possessions or status while unsuccessfully trying to gain something more. It is used to caution against excessive greed or poor decision-making that results in a total loss of both the old and the new.

What remains is a bundle of horse gram; what is lost is a bundle of grains.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone exaggerates the value of what they have lost while downplaying the value of what they still possess. It points out the human tendency to claim that the lost item was far superior to the one that remains, often used to critique someone who is being ungrateful or dramatic about a loss.

The kingdom is gone, the royal dignity is gone, what else is left to lose?

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has already lost their wealth, status, or most important possessions. It reflects a state of resignation or indifference toward further minor losses because the 'essentials' are already gone. It is often used to comment on someone who continues to face setbacks after a major downfall.

What remains is the bank (solid ground), what is lost is the husk.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, after a loss or a filtering process, only the essential or valuable part remains while the useless or trivial part is gone. It is often used to console someone by pointing out that even if something was lost, the core strength or the most important asset is still intact.

What remains is solid, what has gone is empty husk.

This expression is used to describe situations where unnecessary, weak, or useless elements are discarded, leaving behind only what is valuable, strong, or essential. It is often used to provide comfort during a loss or a filtering process, suggesting that whatever was lost wasn't worth keeping anyway.

While going for what was not there, even what was there was lost

This proverb describes a situation where someone loses their existing possessions or status while greedily pursuing something they don't have. It is used to caution against unnecessary risks or greed that leads to the loss of one's current security.