ఊరకే ఉండి నా చేతులేమి చేస్తావని దండం పెట్టినా
urake undi na chetulemi chestavani dandam pettina
I folded my hands in prayer just to keep my idle hands busy.
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone performs an action or gives a gift not out of genuine devotion or necessity, but simply because they had nothing better to do or it happened by chance. It highlights a lack of true intent behind an action.
Related Phrases
తీయడం పెట్టడం తీపులచేటు, కనడం కూచోవడం నొప్పులచేటు
tiyadam pettadam tipulachetu, kanadam kuchovadam noppulachetu
Taking and putting is a waste of sweetness; giving birth and sitting is a waste of pain.
This proverb highlights that repetitive or redundant actions often lead to unnecessary exhaustion or wasted effort. It specifically suggests that doing something only to undo it immediately (like serving food and taking it back) results in losing the benefit or joy, and enduring pain for no productive outcome is futile. It is used to describe tasks that are laborious but yield no meaningful result.
కత్తేస్తావా, బద్దేస్తావా అన్నట్లు
kattestava, baddestava annatlu
Like asking, 'Will you take the scissors or the stick?'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is forced to choose between two equally difficult or unpleasant options, or when someone is being interrogated/threatened with no easy way out. It implies a 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' scenario where both outcomes are undesirable.
దయలేని అత్తకు దండం పెట్టినా తప్పే.
dayaleni attaku dandam pettina tappe.
If [ the daughter-in-law ] even salute her unkind mother-in- law, it's a fault.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is so biased or ill-intentioned that no matter how much respect or kindness you show them, they will still find a reason to criticize or find fault. It is used to describe people who are impossible to please.
ముసలమ్మ బుజ్జి వణికిస్తావేమి అంటే ఊరకుండి నేనేమి చేస్తానన్నదట.
musalamma bujji vanikistavemi ante urakundi nenemi chestanannadata.
When asked 'Old woman, why are you shaking the cradle?', she replied, 'What can I do if it doesn't stay still?'
This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to hide their natural weakness or inability by pretending it is an intentional act. In the story, an old woman shakes involuntarily due to old age; when asked why she is shaking the baby's cradle, she claims she is doing it on purpose because the cradle wouldn't stay still, hiding her frailty.
అన్నం పెట్టినవారింటికి కన్నము పెట్టినట్లు
annam pettinavarintiki kannamu pettinatlu
Like breaking into the house of the person who fed you.
This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.
కనబడినప్పుడల్లా దండాలు పెడతావెందుకు అంటే - చేతులు ఊరకే ఉండి ఏమి చేస్తాయిలే అన్నాడట
kanabadinappudalla dandalu pedatavenduku ante - chetulu urake undi emi chestayile annadata
When asked 'Why do you offer salutations every time you see me?', he replied 'What else would my hands do while sitting idle?'
This proverb is used to mock someone who performs actions without genuine intent or respect, but merely out of habit or because they have nothing better to do. It satirizes mindless repetitive behavior or superficial courtesy.
చేయని చేతులు, కుడువని నోరు
cheyani chetulu, kuduvani noru
Hands that do not work, a mouth that does not eat.
This proverb emphasizes the dignity of labor and the principle of self-reliance. It suggests that one who is unwilling to work or put in the effort does not deserve to enjoy the fruits or benefits. It is used to motivate someone to work hard or to critique laziness.
పుంజం పెట్టినది బట్ట, లంచం పెట్టినది మాట.
punjam pettinadi batta, lancham pettinadi mata.
That is a cloth into which Punjam has been put, that is the word into which a bribe has been put. A Punjam is a skein of 60 threads ; the word is here used to signify the proper quantity of thread required for good cloth. The only way of obtaining a good recommendation is to purchase it with a bribe.
This proverb highlights that just as the quality of a cloth depends on the thread count (punjam), the outcome of a conversation or legal matter can be manipulated by bribery. It suggests that truth or promises can be twisted if someone is paid off, implying that a person's word might only hold value because of a bribe rather than integrity.
లంచం పెట్టినది మాట, పుంజం పెట్టినది బట్ట.
lancham pettinadi mata, punjam pettinadi batta.
A bribe buys a word, and a skein of yarn makes a cloth.
This proverb highlights the efficacy of incentives. Just as a certain amount of yarn is required to weave a fabric, a bribe or a small favor is often used to get someone to speak in one's favor or to get a task done. It is used to describe how things are influenced by external motivations or materials.
గుడి మేళం ఎరుగని దాసరి గుడి వెనక దండం పెట్టినాడట
gudi melam erugani dasari gudi venaka dandam pettinadata
The devotee who didn't know the temple's routine/rituals prostrated behind the temple.
This expression is used to describe a person who acts out of ignorance or performs a task incorrectly because they lack knowledge of the proper procedures or timing. It highlights the futility of an action performed without understanding the context or the right way to do it.