ఊరు ఉస్తికాయంత, సిద్ధాంతం తాటికాయంత.
uru ustikayanta, siddhantam tatikayanta.
The village is the size of a berry, but the rulebook is the size of a palm fruit.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the overhead, bureaucracy, or theory is much larger and more complex than the actual subject or problem itself. It highlights the irony of having excessive rules or grand plans for a very small or insignificant matter.
Related Phrases
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
ఆయనే లేని ఊళ్ళో అరటికాయ కూర
ayane leni ullo aratikaya kura
In a village where the husband himself is absent, banana curry is served.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the main person or essential element is missing, making the current actions or arrangements redundant or meaningless. It highlights the irony of preparing something for someone who isn't there to receive it.
తాటికాయవన్నె తప్పడిది
tatikayavanne tappadidi
The color of the palm fruit is deceptive.
This expression refers to something that looks attractive or promising on the outside but turns out to be useless, empty, or disappointing on the inside. It is used to describe deceptive appearances where the external beauty does not reflect the internal quality.
ఉస్తికాయంత ఈరెంటి, నంజుకు పెట్టనంత
ustikayanta irenti, nanjuku pettananta
How much is a turkey berry's juice, and how much is the curry made from it?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the resources or the source material is so small or insignificant that the final output or benefit derived from it is negligible. It highlights the irony of trying to make something substantial out of something very tiny.
ఊరు ఉసిరికాయంత, సిద్ధాంతము తాటికాయంత
uru usirikayanta, siddhantamu tatikayanta
The village is like the Ustekâya and the religious duties are like the Tâṭikâya. The Ustekâya ( No. 339 ) is a small fruit, and the Tâṭikâya ( No. 390 ) a large fruit. Applied to exactions imposed upon people for religious purposes greater than they can bear.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a minor issue or a small entity is governed by overly complex, heavy, or disproportionate rules and theories. It highlights the absurdity of having excessive bureaucracy or complicated procedures for a very small and simple matter.
కూర్చుండి లేవలేడుగాని, ఎగసి తాటికాయ తంతానంటాడు
kurchundi levaledugani, egasi tatikaya tantanantadu
He cannot even get up from a sitting position, but he says he will jump and kick a palmyra fruit.
This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks the basic ability or resources to perform a simple task, yet makes boastful claims about achieving something incredibly difficult or impossible. It mocks overambition and empty boasting by highlighting the gap between a person's actual capacity and their tall claims.
ఊరపిచ్చుకకు గుమ్మడికాయంత గూద
urapichchukaku gummadikayanta guda
An anus as big as a pumpkin for a common sparrow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's arrogance, ego, or demands are vastly disproportionate to their actual status, size, or capability. It highlights the absurdity of an insignificant person having an oversized attitude or problem.
అయ్యవారు అటికంత, అయ్యవారి పెండ్లాము పుటికంత.
ayyavaru atikanta, ayyavari pendlamu putikanta.
The Brâhman is like a small pot, and his wife is like a basket. Spoken of things which do not match.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an assistant, a subordinate, or a spouse overshadows the main person in terms of presence, demands, or scale. It highlights a humorous or ironic disproportion between two closely related people or things.
ఊరపిచ్చుక మీద తాటికాయ పడినట్లు.
urapichchuka mida tatikaya padinatlu.
Like a palm fruit falling on a house sparrow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a massive or overwhelming burden, punishment, or disaster befalls someone who is very small, weak, or insignificant. It highlights a complete mismatch in scale, suggesting that the impact is far greater than what the victim can handle or endure.
గుమ్మడికాయంత తెలివికంటే, గురిగింజంత అదృష్టం మేలు
gummadikayanta telivikante, guriginjanta adrishtam melu
A tiny seed's worth of luck is better than a pumpkin's worth of intelligence
This proverb highlights that even immense intelligence or talent can sometimes be overshadowed by a small amount of good fortune. It is used to describe situations where hard work and wisdom fail to achieve what a lucky break manages to accomplish instantly.