ఉత్తకుండ ఉట్టికెత్తి నేతికుండ నేలను బెట్టినట్లు.

This proverb describes a person who lacks common sense or priority. It refers to someone who neglects valuable things (ghee) while carefully preserving useless things (empty pot), highlighting foolishness or inverted priorities in decision-making.

This proverb highlights human hypocrisy and double standards in judging mistakes. It describes a situation where people exaggerate the mistakes of others (the daughter-in-law's mistake is seen as destroying something brand new) while making excuses for their own or their favorites' mistakes (the mother-in-law's broken pot is dismissed as having been old and already broken). It is used to point out unfair bias and blame-shifting.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone realizes they are significantly weaker, less durable, or less capable than their opponent and chooses to withdraw to avoid certain destruction. It highlights the vulnerability of the weak (clay) when faced with the unshakable strength of the powerful (stone).

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a problem needs to be solved or a task accomplished without causing any damage or loss to the parties involved. It refers to finding a diplomatic or clever middle ground where the objective is achieved while maintaining perfect balance and avoiding negative consequences.

This expression describes someone who is extremely shy, hesitant, or feeling guilty. It refers to the physical habit of dragging or twisting one's toes on the ground when they are too embarrassed to speak or face someone directly.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has the capacity to cause destruction or ruin a plan, but lacks the skill or intention to handle the consequences or perform the task constructively. It highlights that creating a mess is easy, but managing the outcome requires a different set of abilities.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely foolish or setting themselves up for a loss. Placing butter on the head (which melts in the sun) and using prawns (which are scavenged by crows and dogs) as a waistband implies that the person's assets or efforts will quickly vanish or be snatched away due to poor planning.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something pure or useful becomes completely ruined, defiled, or unusable because of the interference of an unworthy or undesirable person. In traditional contexts, if a dog touched a cooking pot, the entire meal was considered polluted and had to be discarded.

This proverb is used to describe an unrealistic or greedy expectation. When someone is already in a state of extreme poverty or performing forced unpaid labor (vetti), expecting luxuries or even basic comforts is seen as ironic or foolish. It highlights the contradiction of seeking extras when the fundamental situation is dire.

This proverb describes a situation where an outcome or a product is flawed or incomplete because it was done without interest, enthusiasm, or proper compensation (forced labor). It is used to mock work that is done carelessly or results that are useless due to a lack of effort.