వడికిందంతా పత్తి అయినట్లు
vadikindanta patti ayinatlu
As if everything spun became cotton again.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of hard work or effort results in zero progress, or when things return to their original raw state despite the labor put in. It signifies wasted effort or a futile exercise where the end product is no better than the starting material.
Related Phrases
అన్నం ఉడికిందో లేదో అంతా పట్టి చూడక్కరలేదు.
annam udikindo ledo anta patti chudakkaraledu.
One does not need to touch every grain to see if the rice is cooked.
This expression is used to convey that you don't need to examine every single part of something to judge its overall quality or state. A small sample is often enough to represent the whole. It is frequently used when evaluating a person's character, a project's progress, or the quality of a book based on a few instances.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా, మట్టి పిల్లి అయినా, ఎలుకను పట్టినదే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina, matti pilli ayina, elukanu pattinade pilli
A cat which kills a rat is a cat, whether it be of wood or mud. If the work be well done, never mind the instrument.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the value of someone or something should be judged by their ability to perform their intended task or achieve a goal, rather than their outward characteristics or status.
కొండంత దేవుడికి కొండంత పత్రి పెట్టగలమా?
kondanta devudiki kondanta patri pettagalama?
Can we offer mountain-sized leaves to a mountain-sized God?
This expression is used to acknowledge that one's offerings or gratitude can never truly match the magnitude of the help or blessings received. It is often said humbly when offering a small gift or gesture to someone of great stature or to a deity, implying that while the offering is small, the devotion is large.
కుక్కదానం పట్టి అయినా కుటుంబాన్ని పోషించాలి.
kukkadanam patti ayina kutumbanni poshinchali.
One must support the family even if it means accepting the alms meant for a dog.
This proverb emphasizes the supreme importance of family responsibility and survival. It suggests that no work or method of earning is too lowly or humiliating when the goal is to provide for one's family's basic needs. It highlights the duty of a provider to swallow their pride for the sake of their dependents.
అయ్యవారిని చేయబోతే కోతి అయినట్లు
ayyavarini cheyabote koti ayinatlu
Trying to make an idol of a teacher (or god), but it turned into a monkey.
This expression is used when a well-intentioned task or project goes completely wrong due to incompetence or unexpected errors, resulting in something unintended and often ridiculous. It describes a situation where an attempt to create something noble or superior ends up as a mess.
ఏది పట్టినా దయ్యము పట్టినట్లు
edi pattina dayyamu pattinatlu
Whatever one touches/holds, it is as if a ghost has possessed it.
This expression is used to describe someone who goes to extremes or becomes obsessively persistent in whatever task they undertake. It can also refer to someone who consistently encounters bad luck or complications in every endeavor they start, as if it were cursed or jinxed.
అన్నం ఉడికిందో లేదో అంతా పట్టి చూడనక్కరలేదు
annam udikindo ledo anta patti chudanakkaraledu
There is no need to touch and check every grain to see if the rice is cooked.
This expression is used to convey that one does not need to examine every single part of a whole to judge its quality or status. A small sample is often enough to represent the entire situation. It is commonly used in contexts like judging a person's character from a single action or a book's quality from a few pages.
మానుపిల్లి అయినా మట్టిపిల్లి అయినా ఎలుకను పట్టిందే పిల్లి
manupilli ayina mattipilli ayina elukanu pattinde pilli
Whether it is a wooden cat or a clay cat, the one that catches the mouse is the real cat.
This expression emphasizes pragmatism and results over appearance or origin. It suggests that the effectiveness or utility of a person or a tool is more important than its form, cost, or status. It is used to convey that the end result is what truly matters in evaluating a solution.
అత్తిపత్తి
attipatti
Touch-me-not plant
Literally referring to the Mimosa pudica plant, this expression is used to describe a person who is extremely sensitive, shy, or gets easily offended or hurt by even the slightest comment or touch.
మోకాటిలో మెడనరం పట్టిందంటే, మీద పట్టి వేయమన్నట్లు.
mokatilo medanaram pattindante, mida patti veyamannatlu.
If one says a neck nerve is caught in the knee, it's like asking to put a bandage on top of it.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a completely illogical or physically impossible claim, and another person responds with an equally absurd or useless solution. It highlights foolishness, ignorance, or a lack of basic common sense in both the complaint and the remedy.