ఊరంతా ఉల్లి, నీవెందుకే తల్లీ?
uranta ulli, nivenduke talli?
The whole town is filled with onions, then why are you needed mother?
This proverb is used to point out something that is redundant or unnecessary because a better, more abundant, or universal alternative already exists. It is often used to dismiss someone who offers a mediocre or unnecessary service when the same thing is readily available everywhere else.
Related Phrases
నోరంతా పళ్ళు, ఊరంతా అప్పులు
noranta pallu, uranta appulu
A mouth full of teeth, a town full of debts.
This proverb is used to describe someone who smiles or talks excessively to hide their financial troubles, or someone who maintains an outward appearance of cheerfulness despite being heavily indebted to many people in the community.
ఊరంతా చల్లి, నీవెందుకే తల్లి
uranta challi, nivenduke talli
After sprinkling (the medicine/cure) on the whole village, why are you needed mother?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers help or a solution after the problem has already been solved or after the time for action has passed. It highlights the irrelevance of a late remedy or redundant assistance.
మాదిగ మల్లి, కంసాలి యెల్లి.
madiga malli, kamsali yelli.
Cobblers say "Again," goldsmiths say "Tomorrow." Dilatory in work.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe individuals who are always on the move or never found in their expected place. 'Malli' refers to a shoemaker (Madiga) who is often out collecting hides or delivering shoes, while 'Yelli' refers to a goldsmith (Kamsali) who might be away on business. It is used to mock or point out the unavailability of someone when you need them.
ఎల్లి మీద పుల్లి, పుల్లి మీద మల్లి
elli mida pulli, pulli mida malli
Pulli on Elli, and Malli on Pulli
This expression is used to describe a series of events happening one after another in quick succession, or a situation where things are piled up or layered. It often refers to a lineage or a sequence of names/entities that follow a specific order or pattern.
ఎండిన ఊళ్ళకు ఎవడు దిక్కు? వండిన ఊళ్ళకు అందరూ ప్రభువులే.
endina ullaku evadu dikku? vandina ullaku andaru prabhuvule.
Who is the protector for parched villages? For prosperous (cooked) villages, everyone acts as a lord.
This proverb highlights human nature and opportunism. It means that when a person or a place is in distress or poverty, no one comes forward to help or take responsibility. However, when there is wealth, prosperity, or success, many people swarm around to claim authority, friendship, or leadership.
సంతు లేని తల్లి, చింత లేని పెళ్ళి
santu leni talli, chinta leni pelli
A mother without offspring, a wedding without worry.
This proverb is used ironically or sarcastically to describe a situation that is incomplete or lacks its fundamental purpose. Just as a woman cannot be a mother without children, a grand event like a wedding is rarely free of some level of worry or responsibility. It implies that certain roles or events naturally come with inherent burdens or characteristics, and without them, the situation is paradoxical or meaningless.
మాటలకు మల్లి, పనికి యెల్లి
matalaku malli, paniki yelli
He talks like Malli and works like Yelli. Malli and Yelli are women's names. The former means ' again' the latter ' tomorrow.' Applied to a man who is great in words, but slow in action. Say well, and do well end with one letter ; Say well is good, but do well is better.
This proverb is used to describe a person who talks a lot and makes big promises but is completely absent or lazy when it is actually time to do the work. It contrasts a talkative nature with a lack of productivity.
ఊరంతా ఉల్లిపూస్తే మాలపల్లి మల్లెపూసె
uranta ullipuste malapalli mallepuse
When the whole village bloomed with onions, the dalit hamlet bloomed with jasmine.
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves contrary to the general trend or logic of their surroundings. It highlights an ironic or defiant situation where someone claims or exhibits something high-end or beautiful (jasmine) while everyone else is dealing with something common or pungent (onions).
ఊరంతా ఉల్లి, నీవెందుకే తల్లి
uranta ulli, nivenduke talli
The village is full of garlick, what do I want with thee O mother?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a resource or help is so abundantly available everywhere that a specific person's contribution or presence becomes unnecessary. It highlights the irony of someone offering something that is already common or easily accessible.
* Il faut se dire beaucoup d'amis, et s'en croire peu.
తరవాణి తల్లి
taravani talli
Mother Gruel / Mother Fermented Rice Water
This expression refers to 'Taravani' (the water drained from cooked rice and fermented overnight), personifying it as a nourishing mother. In Telugu culture, it signifies the humble yet highly nutritious food that sustained poor or rural families, emphasizing simplicity, health, and gratitude for basic sustenance.