ఉప్పు లేదు, కారం లేదు, అమ్మతోడు కమ్మగుంది.
uppu ledu, karam ledu, ammatodu kammagundi.
No salt, no spice, but by mother, it tastes delicious.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being overly polite or flattering even when something is clearly lacking or of poor quality. It highlights a sarcastic or ironic praise for something that is bland or mediocre, often used to mock someone who is trying to please others despite the obvious flaws in the situation.
Related Phrases
మున్నూటి కులానికి ముప్పు లేదు, మొండికాలికి చెప్పు లేదు.
munnuti kulaniki muppu ledu, mondikaliki cheppu ledu.
There is no danger for the Munnuru caste, and there is no sandal for a stumped leg.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb or 'Sameta'. Historically, it refers to the resilience and self-sufficiency of the Munnuru Kapu community, suggesting they are a strong, risk-free collective. The second part is a literal observation used for rhyming or emphasis, implying that just as a deformed or amputated leg cannot wear a standard sandal, certain things in life are fixed or beyond typical constraints.
ఎరువు సతము కాదు, వాక్కు తోడు కాదు.
eruvu satamu kadu, vakku todu kadu.
Lent property is not lasting, speech is not help. You cannot always depend upon getting a livelihood by your plani- bility.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the transient nature of external aid. Just as manure only provides a temporary boost to the soil's fertility and eventually depletes, words or promises from others are not a reliable substitute for one's own actions or tangible support. It suggests that one should build their own strengths rather than depending on borrowed resources or empty talk.
నాడు కట్టాలేదు, నేడు చింతాలేదు
nadu kattaledu, nedu chintaledu
No effort was put in then, and no worry is felt now.
This proverb describes a state of total negligence or lack of foresight. It is used to describe a person who did not take action or plan during the appropriate time (the past) and consequently feels no regret or concern about the failure in the present. It often implies a sense of indifference toward one's responsibilities.
అయ్య నీటు అడిగితీరదు, అమ్మ దమ్మయపాలెంలో దంచుకొని తాగుతున్నది
ayya nitu adigitiradu, amma dammayapalemlo danchukoni tagutunnadi
The foppish husband gives himself great airs, while his wife is living by pounding rice in Dammayapâlem.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person maintains an air of false prestige or luxury (the father), while their family members are struggling with hard labor just to survive (the mother). It highlights hypocrisy, misplaced priorities, or vanity in the face of poverty.
అబద్ధానికి అంతులేదు, అమ్మగారికి చింతలేదు.
abaddhaniki antuledu, ammagariki chintaledu.
There is no end to the lies, and no worry for the lady.
This proverb is used to describe a person who continues to tell lies without any fear or remorse, or a situation where someone remains indifferent and unbothered despite a web of falsehoods being woven around them.
కమ్మగుట్టు గడపదాటదు
kammaguttu gadapadatadu
A secret of the Kamma community does not cross the threshold.
This is a social proverb historically used to describe the unity and extreme confidentiality maintained within a specific community or family. It implies that internal matters, secrets, or disputes are kept strictly private and never revealed to outsiders.
అయ్యకు విద్య లేదు, అమ్మకు గర్వమూ లేదు.
ayyaku vidya ledu, ammaku garvamu ledu.
When the husband has no learning, the wife has no pride.
This proverb is used to describe a family or a situation where everyone is simple, humble, or lacks specific status/qualities, leading to a life without complications or pretenses. It often implies a state of being basic or unremarkable but content.
అయ్యకు విద్యలేదు, అమ్మకు గర్వంలేదు
ayyaku vidyaledu, ammaku garvamledu
The father has no education, and the mother has no pride.
This expression is used to describe a situation where people are exceptionally simple, modest, or perhaps lacking in expected qualities, yet live together harmoniously. It is often used to characterize a family or a couple who are very humble, unassuming, and devoid of any pretenses or ego.
కూచుంటే లేవలేడు, కూరకట్టలమ్మలేడు, కొట్టొస్తాడమ్మా నాకు నవ్వొస్తది
kuchunte levaledu, kurakattalammaledu, kottostadamma naku navvostadi
He cannot get up if he sits, he cannot sell bundles of vegetables, but he comes to beat me, and it makes me laugh.
This expression is used to describe a person who is physically weak, incompetent, or incapable of performing basic tasks, yet tries to show off their power or authority by threatening or bullying others. It highlights the irony and absurdity of a weak person making aggressive gestures.
తీగ పెట్టినమ్మ మాట తీయగా, కమ్మపెట్టినమ్మ మాట కమ్మగా, విచ్చుటాకులున్నమ్మా నీమాట విన సహించదు అన్నదట.
tiga pettinamma mata tiyaga, kammapettinamma mata kammaga, vichchutakulunnamma nimata vina sahinchadu annadata.
The words of the one who gave a creeper are sweet; the words of the one who gave a leaf-stalk are savory; but the words of the one who has blooming leaves are unbearable to hear.
This proverb highlights human psychology and bias based on self-interest. It refers to a person who praises those who have given them something (even something small like a vegetable creeper or a palm leaf) while being critical or intolerant of those who have plenty but have not shared anything with them yet. It is used to describe how people's perceptions of others are often colored by the benefits they receive.