వగలమారి వంకాయ సెగలేక ఉడికినదట

vagalamari vankaya segaleka udikinadata

Translation

The flirtatious brinjal is said to have cooked without any heat.

Meaning

This expression is used to mock someone who makes impossible or exaggerated claims about their abilities or achievements. It highlights the absurdity of claiming a result (cooking) without the necessary means (heat/fire), often used to describe people who pretend to be highly efficient or magical to hide their laziness or deceit.

Related Phrases

A woman and a brinjal (eggplant) are sweet through and through.

This is a classic Telugu proverb highlighting the intrinsic value or 'sweetness' of both a woman (referring to her character/presence in a family) and the brinjal (considered the king of vegetables in Telugu cuisine). It suggests that just as every part of a brinjal is useful and delicious, a virtuous woman brings goodness to all aspects of a household.

Coconut spice/masala for brinjal curry

This expression refers to a perfect combination or an ideal match. Just as coconut masala enhances the taste of brinjal curry, it is used to describe two things or people that complement each other perfectly to produce a great result.

There is no smoke without heat.

This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'There is no smoke without fire.' It is used to suggest that if there are rumors or signs of something happening, there is usually a factual basis or a real reason behind them.

The hen that got used to eating (getting fed) ended up crowing from the rooftop.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who is pampered or given too much freedom eventually becomes arrogant, loses their boundaries, and starts behaving inappropriately. It is used to caution against over-indulging someone to the point where they lose respect for rules or hierarchy.

Unable to ask them to stay, one creates a suffocating stench; unable to ask them to leave, one uses smoke.

This proverb describes a passive-aggressive way of getting rid of someone. Instead of directly asking a person to leave, someone creates such uncomfortable or unbearable conditions that the person is forced to leave on their own. It is used in situations where social etiquette prevents directness, leading to subtle or harsh discouragement.

Like moving from smoke into the flames

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to escape a small problem only to end up in a much worse or more dangerous situation. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English idiom 'Out of the frying pan and into the fire'.

Like saying the courtyard is crooked because one cannot dance.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks skill or fails at a task, but blames external circumstances or their environment instead of admitting their own deficiency. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb: 'A bad workman quarrels with his tools.'

The feigning brinjal shrunk into half its size, when there was no heat. Simulating fear.

This proverb is used to describe a person who puts on excessive airs or makes a huge fuss over nothing. It refers to someone who acts exhausted, sick, or defeated even before facing any real hardship or effort, often to gain sympathy or avoid work.

* Hij verdient een' stuiver en heeft wel voor een' braspenning dorst. † Ex uno specta omnia. ‡ Ex pede Herculem.

The boastful eggplant became half its size as soon as it felt the heat.

This proverb is used to describe people who act arrogant or showy when things are easy, but quickly lose their confidence or 'shrink' when faced with actual pressure, heat, or difficulty. It highlights how false bravado disappears under testing conditions.

Will a man who steals a brinjal not steal a coconut?

This proverb suggests that a person who commits a small crime or dishonesty is likely to commit a larger one given the opportunity. It emphasizes that a lack of integrity starts small but can escalate, and one's character is judged by even minor actions. It is used to warn people not to trust someone who has a history of even trivial dishonesty.