వట్టి పూతకు మెరుపులు మెండు, వట్టి గొడ్డుకు అరుపులు మెండు

vatti putaku merupulu mendu, vatti godduku arupulu mendu

Translation

Empty clouds flash more lightning; a barren cow bellows more.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe people who lack substance or capability but make a lot of noise or boast excessively. Similar to the English idiom 'Empty vessels make the most noise', it suggests that those who talk the most or show off frequently are often the ones who achieve or contribute the least.

Related Phrases

The cow that yields no milk creates the most clatter with the buckets.

This proverb is used to describe people who possess no actual skill, talent, or substance but make a lot of noise or show off to grab attention. It is similar to the English proverb 'Empty vessels make the most noise.' It highlights that those who contribute the least often boast the most.

Vows during danger, forgetfulness during wealth.

This proverb describes human nature where people pray fervently and make many promises to God or others when they are in trouble, but completely forget those promises once they become wealthy or their problems are solved. It is used to criticize ungratefulness or fair-weather devotion.

The barren cow bellows much, and in the year of drought there is much thunder. Much smoke and little roast. (Italian.) All talk and no go.

This proverb describes people who possess little knowledge or substance but make the most noise or display. Just as a cow that doesn't give milk moos loudly, and a riverbed during a drought may produce lightning or illusions of water without providing actual relief, empty or incompetent people often brag or shout the loudest to hide their lack of worth.

An empty cowshed has too many shouts.

This proverb is used to describe people who lack substance, knowledge, or wealth but make a lot of noise or boast excessively. It is similar to the English proverb 'Empty vessels make the most noise.'

A barren cow bellows the most

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Empty vessels make the most noise'. It describes people who have no real substance, knowledge, or merit, but talk excessively or make loud boasts to compensate for their lack of ability.

A barren cow moows the most.

This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Empty vessels make the most noise.' It is used to describe people who lack substance, talent, or knowledge but boast excessively or talk loudly to gain attention.

Sight for the God, feeding for us.

This expression refers to the tradition of offering food (Naivedyam) to a deity in a temple. While the God is said to accept the offering merely by looking at it, the humans (devotees or priests) are the ones who actually consume the food. It is used to describe situations where a formal or symbolic gesture is made to a higher authority, while the actual material benefits are enjoyed by the subordinates or common people.

Do not trust honey; it has too much sweetness.

This proverb warns against being easily deceived by excessively sweet words or flattering behavior. It suggests that someone who is overly nice or charming may have hidden motives or may be hiding a bitter truth behind their 'sweet' exterior.

Sweet words cause the back to be thrashed.

This proverb warns that sweet talk or flattery can often lead to trouble or physical punishment later. It is used to advise caution when someone is being overly complimentary or deceptive, as their words might lead one into a trap or a situation resulting in severe consequences.

A barren cow bellows more; a rainless cloud thunders more.

This proverb describes people who talk a lot or make a lot of noise but possess no real substance, skill, or ability to deliver results. It is similar to the English expression 'Empty vessels make the most noise' or 'All bark and no bite.' It is used to mock those who boast or complain loudly without being productive.