ఉప్పు మిరపకాయ ఊరకే రాగా, ఆలిని గొట్ట చేతుల తీటనా?
uppu mirapakaya urake raga, alini gotta chetula titana?
If a salted chili pepper comes for free, is it an itch in your hands to beat your wife?
This proverb is used to criticize people who take out their frustrations or arrogance on their family members or dependents just because they have gained a small, insignificant benefit or have found some petty reason to exercise power. It highlights the irrationality of being aggressive or abusive over trivial matters.
Related Phrases
కొత్త చింతకాయతొక్కు, కొత్త చుట్టరికము రుచి
kotta chintakayatokku, kotta chuttarikamu ruchi
New tamarind pickle and a new relationship are tasty.
This proverb highlights that in the initial stages, everything about a new relationship or a fresh batch of pickle feels delightful and exciting. It is often used to describe the honeymoon phase of a friendship, marriage, or any new association where people are on their best behavior and the experience feels uniquely pleasant before the novelty wears off.
ఉత్త చేతులు మూర వేసినట్టు
utta chetulu mura vesinattu
Like measuring the air.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes grand plans or claims without having any resources, basis, or substance. It refers to the futility of trying to measure length (a cubit) when you have nothing to measure or no foundation to work from.
Idle dreams.
ఎరువుల సొమ్ము బరువుల చేటు, తీయ పెట్ట తీపుల చేటు, అందులో ఒకటి పోతే అప్పుల చేటు
eruvula sommu baruvula chetu, tiya petta tipula chetu, andulo okati pote appula chetu
Borrowed wealth is a burden, eating sweets brings harm, and if any of it is lost, it leads to debt.
This proverb warns about the dangers of borrowing and the consequences of careless living. It highlights that borrowed money or items are never truly yours and create a psychological or financial burden. Similarly, overindulgence (sweets) leads to health issues. Ultimately, it emphasizes that if borrowed assets are lost or wasted, it results in a cycle of debt and ruin.
ఉత్త చేతులతో మూరవేసినట్టు
utta chetulato muravesinattu
Like measuring a cubit with empty hands.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes grand plans or claims without having any resources, foundation, or substance. It refers to the futility of trying to measure something (like cloth or space) when you have nothing to measure or nothing to measure it with, symbolizing empty talk or baseless actions.
అడవిలో చెట్టుకాయ ఊరిలో ఉప్పురాయి కలిస్తే ఊరగాయ
adavilo chettukaya urilo uppurayi kaliste uragaya
When a wild forest fruit and the village salt-stone meet, they become a pickle.
This expression highlights how things from diverse or distant origins can come together to create something beautiful or useful. It is often used to describe a perfect match or a successful collaboration between people from different backgrounds.
గూట్లో మిరపకాయ గుంటలో బువ్వ
gutlo mirapakaya guntalo buvva
Chili in the niche and food in the pit.
This expression describes a situation where things are ready or easily accessible in their respective places. It is often used to refer to a simple, humble, and satisfied lifestyle where one has the basic necessities (like a bit of spice/chili and a bowl of rice) arranged and ready to be consumed without much fuss.
గూట్లో మిరపకాయ చూస్తూ అన్నం తినమన్నట్లు
gutlo mirapakaya chustu annam tinamannatlu
Like asking someone to eat rice while just looking at a chili in the niche.
This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy person or a situation of extreme austerity. It refers to someone who is so miserly that they won't even provide a basic chili to eat with rice, instead asking the person to satisfy their taste just by looking at it from a distance.
మిరపకాయ చిన్నదని మేలమాడరాదు
mirapakaya chinnadani melamadaradu
Do not mock a chili pepper just because it is small.
This proverb warns against judging something or someone based solely on their physical size or appearance. Just as a small chili can be extremely spicy, a person who looks small or insignificant may possess great strength, wisdom, or capability. It is used to advise others not to underestimate their opponents or subordinates.
ఎరవుల సొమ్ములు బరువుల చేటు, తియ్యను పెట్టను తీపుల చేటు, దానిలో ఒకటిపోతే అప్పలచేటు.
eravula sommulu baruvula chetu, tiyyanu pettanu tipula chetu, danilo okatipote appalachetu.
Borrowed ornaments are a burden; putting them on and taking them off is a hassle; if one is lost, it results in debt.
This proverb warns against the risks and hassles of borrowing items (especially jewelry or valuables) from others. It implies that borrowed luxury brings more anxiety than joy, as one must constantly guard them, and any loss leads to financial ruin or long-term debt to repay the lender.
చెరపకురా చెడేవు
cherapakura chedevu
Don’t spoil any other person; you would end up in ruin yourself.
It is unwise to spoil the other person, mostly out of ill will, as it will usually result in one’s own destruction.