వేసిన వత్తికి, పోసిన చమురుకు సరిపోయింది.
vesina vattiki, posina chamuruku saripoyindi.
It matched the wick placed and the oil poured.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the effort or resources invested are exactly equal to the result obtained, leaving no profit or extra benefit. It refers to a 'break-even' scenario where one's hard work only just covers the basic costs, often used when someone feels their efforts were barely worth the outcome.
Related Phrases
వీసెడు చింతపండు పాసంగానికే సరిపోయింది.
visedu chintapandu pasanganike saripoyindi.
A viss of tamarind was just enough for the initial flavoring.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a large amount of resources is entirely consumed by a very small or preliminary part of a task, leaving nothing for the main objective. It highlights inadequacy or extreme wastefulness.
తిండిలేనమ్మ తిరుణాళ్లకు పోతే ఎక్కనూ దిగనూ సరిపోయిందట
tindilenamma tirunallaku pote ekkanu diganu saripoyindata
When a woman who had no food went to a fair, her time was spent just climbing up and down.
This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks basic resources but attempts a grand or busy task, only to find that the effort required for the logistics of the task consumes all their energy without yielding any benefit. It is used to mock people who participate in events they cannot afford or sustain, resulting in unnecessary struggle instead of enjoyment.
పొద్దున లేచినందుకు, బాట తప్పినందుకు సరిపోయింది
podduna lechinanduku, bata tappinanduku saripoyindi
Waking up early and losing the way balanced each other out.
This expression is used when the extra effort or advantage gained at the start of a task is completely negated by a subsequent mistake or misfortune. It implies that despite a good start, one is back to square one due to poor execution or bad luck.
ఎద్దులు కాసినందుకు ముద్దలు మింగినందుకు సరిపోయింది పో అన్నాడట
eddulu kasinanduku muddalu minginanduku saripoyindi po annadata
He said it's a fair trade: for the time spent grazing the bulls, he got to swallow the food morsels.
This expression describes a situation where the effort put into a task is exactly equal to or barely covered by the meager reward received, resulting in no real gain or profit. It is used when someone works hard just to meet basic sustenance or when a transaction results in a zero-sum outcome with no benefit for the labor involved.
తిండిలేనమ్మ తిరునాళ్ళకుపోతే ఎక్కాదిగా సరిపోయింది
tindilenamma tirunallakupote ekkadiga saripoyindi
If a woman with no food goes to a festival, it's just enough for her to climb (the stairs/hill).
This proverb describes a situation where someone who is already struggling takes on a new endeavor, only to find that the effort required for the endeavor consumes whatever little resources they had left. It is used when a person's attempt to improve their situation or enjoy something actually results in more exhaustion or loss because they were ill-prepared or lacked the basic means to begin with.
తగు దాసరికి మెడ పూసలకి, అమ్మగన్న సంతానానికి, అయ్య ఇచ్చిన మనువుకు సరిపోయింది
tagu dasariki meda pusalaki, ammaganna santananiki, ayya ichchina manuvuku saripoyindi
It fits the Dasari (monk) and his beads; it fits the children born to the mother and the marriage arranged by the father.
This expression is used to describe a situation where everything is perfectly matched in its mediocrity or suitability. It often implies that the quality of one thing is exactly what the other deserves, or that a result is appropriate given the circumstances. It is frequently used to comment on a couple or a partnership where both parties have similar (often flawed) traits.
ఊట వేసిన ముడి, వాతవేసిన పసుపు
uta vesina mudi, vatavesina pasupu
A knot soaked in water, turmeric applied to a brand.
This expression is used to describe something that is fixed, permanent, or impossible to undo. Just as a wet knot becomes tighter and harder to untie, and turmeric applied to a cauterized wound stays fixed to the skin, this phrase refers to a decision or situation that is finalized and unchangeable.
కుంచములో కుదుళ్ళు పోసినట్టు
kunchamulo kudullu posinattu
Like pouring grain into a measuring bowl.
This expression is used to describe a perfect, tight, or snug fit. In olden days, a 'Kuncham' was a grain measure; when filled precisely with grain or seeds, there is no extra space left. It is often used to describe someone with very even, closely set teeth or a crowd that is packed tightly together.
పెండ్లికి చేసిన పప్పు పేరంటాండ్రు రవచుడను సరిపోయింది.
pendliki chesina pappu perantandru ravachudanu saripoyindi.
The dal prepared for the wedding was just enough for the ladies to taste during the ceremony.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where resources gathered for a large task or event were completely consumed by a minor preliminary activity, leaving nothing for the main purpose. It highlights poor planning or an unexpected shortage.
చేసిన పాపాలకు పెట్టిన దీపాలకు సరి
chesina papalaku pettina dipalaku sari
The sins committed and the lamps lit are equal.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the bad deeds or mistakes someone has committed are roughly offset or balanced out by their attempts at atonement or good deeds. It is often used sarcastically to imply that someone's superficial rituals or minor good acts are just barely covering up their significant wrongdoings, or that the accounts of good and bad have been settled.