ఉప్పు ఊరగాయ కాదు
uppu uragaya kadu
Salt is not a pickle
This expression is used to remind someone that raw materials or basic ingredients are not the same as the final finished product. It highlights that potential or basic utility requires effort and processing to become something more valuable or enjoyable.
Related Phrases
శివరాత్రికి జీడికాయ, ఉగాదికి ఊరగాయ.
shivaratriki jidikaya, ugadiki uragaya.
Cashew fruit for Shivaratri, pickles for Ugadi.
This is a seasonal saying that highlights the arrival of specific agricultural produce during certain festivals. It signifies that by the time of Maha Shivaratri (late winter), cashew fruits are ripe and available, and by Ugadi (Telugu New Year/spring), it is the perfect time for making and consuming fresh mango pickles as the raw mangoes are ready.
బహునాయకం, బాలనాయకం, స్త్రీ నాయకం
bahunayakam, balanayakam, stri nayakam
Having many leaders, having a youthful leader, having a female leader. Said of people, an army, &c.
This expression refers to situations or institutions that are destined for failure or decline. It suggests that a kingdom or an organization will perish if it is governed by too many leaders (causing chaos), an immature/inexperienced leader (lack of wisdom), or, in traditional contexts, where power is misplaced or lacks decisive leadership. It is used to describe mismanagement and lack of a single, strong, and capable direction.
పట్టిలు తినని కూరగాయలు బాపలకు దానమన్నట్లు
pattilu tinani kuragayalu bapalaku danamannatlu
Like donating vegetables that cows won't eat to the priests.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone 'generously' gives away something that is useless or unwanted by themselves. It highlights hypocritical charity or disposing of junk under the guise of being helpful or religious.
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.
చద్ది పురిసెడు, ఊరగాయ దోసెడు
chaddi purisedu, uragaya dosedu
A handful of fermented rice, a palmful of pickle.
This expression describes a situation where the side dish or accompaniment is disproportionately larger than the main course. It is used to mock someone who uses excessive resources for a small task, or metaphorically when the decoration exceeds the substance.
బహు నాయకము, బాల నాయకము, స్త్రీ నాయకము
bahu nayakamu, bala nayakamu, stri nayakamu
Multiple leaders, a child leader, or a woman leader.
This traditional proverb suggests that a kingdom, organization, or family will face downfall if it is led by too many people (causing chaos), an immature child (lacking wisdom), or a woman (reflecting historical patriarchal views on leadership). It is used to describe situations where leadership is fragmented or perceived as weak.
సద్దంత ఊరగాయ, ఇల్లంత పందిరి, తల్లంత పెళ్ళాం
saddanta uragaya, illanta pandiri, tallanta pellam
Pickle the size of a grain, a canopy as big as the house, and a wife as big as a mother.
This proverb is used to describe things that are disproportionate, mismatched, or absurdly scaled. It mocks situations where the priorities are misplaced or where the dimensions of things do not fit their intended purpose or natural order.
చద్ది కంటే ఊరగాయ ఘనం
chaddi kante uragaya ghanam
The best part of the cold food is the pickle.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a side-dish or a secondary accompaniment overshadows the main meal. Metaphorically, it refers to instances where accessories or trivial additions are given more importance or are more impressive than the main subject or person.
ఉప్పులేని పప్పు, ఊరగాయలేని సద్ది
uppuleni pappu, uragayaleni saddi
Dal without salt, curd rice without pickle.
This expression is used to describe something that is bland, incomplete, or lacking its essential flavor or excitement. Just as salt is vital for dal and pickle is the necessary accompaniment for fermented curd rice (saddi), a situation or a person's talk without substance is considered dull and unappealing.
చద్ది కంటే ఊరగాయ ఘనం
chaddi kante uragaya ghanam
The pickle is greater than the leftover rice
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a secondary or trivial thing is given more importance, or seems more impressive, than the primary or essential thing. It's often applied when an accessory or an accompaniment overshadows the main subject.