వెయ్యి పుట్ల వడ్లకు ఒక చిలుకపురుగు చాలును.
veyyi putla vadlaku oka chilukapurugu chalunu.
One parrot-worm is enough for a thousand puttis of paddy.
This proverb highlights how a single small negative element or a tiny flaw can destroy a massive amount of hard work or wealth. Just as one pest can ruin a whole granary, one bad habit or one wicked person can cause the downfall of an entire family or organization.
Related Phrases
ఉడుము పోయినా చెయ్యి వస్తే చాలును.
udumu poyina cheyyi vaste chalunu.
Never mind if I lose the guana, if I get my hand out it's enough.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is willing to give up a potential gain or an asset just to escape from a dangerous or stuck position. It signifies that safety and liberation are more important than the original objective when things go wrong.
Said by a man whose hand had been caught by a guana in a hole. Catching a Tartar.
తేలుకు పుట్టి చలిపురుగు అయినట్టు.
teluku putti chalipurugu ayinattu.
Born to a scorpion and becoming a black ant. An unworthy scion of a noble stock.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone born to a powerful, aggressive, or talented person turns out to be weak, timid, or useless. It highlights a mismatch between one's lineage and their actual character or capabilities.
బూరుగు పంటికి చిలుక కాచి ఉన్నట్టు
burugu pantiki chiluka kachi unnattu
Like a parrot waiting [to eat] a Būrugu pod. Būrugu or Būraga is the silk cotton tree ( Eriodendron Anfractuosum ). Vain expectations.
This proverb describes a situation where someone waits a long time with high hopes, only to be bitterly disappointed. The silk cotton fruit (Burugu) looks green and delicious, but when it finally bursts, it releases only dry, useless lint instead of pulp, leaving the waiting parrot with nothing.
మూడుపుట్ల చెవిటివానికి ఆరుపుట్ల చెవిటివాడు ఆలోచన చెప్పినట్లు.
muduputla chevitivaniki aruputla chevitivadu alochana cheppinatlu.
Like a six-measure deaf person giving advice to a three-measure deaf person.
This proverb describes a situation where an incompetent or ignorant person tries to advise someone who is also incompetent. It highlights the irony and futility of seeking guidance from someone whose shortcomings are even greater than one's own. It is used when two people who lack knowledge in a subject try to solve a problem together, leading to a useless outcome.
ఏనుగు బ్రతికినా వెయ్యి, చచ్చినా వెయ్యి
enugu bratikina veyyi, chachchina veyyi
An elephant is worth a thousand when alive, and worth a thousand even when dead.
This expression is used to describe someone or something of immense value, status, or reputation that remains significant regardless of their current state or circumstances. Just as an elephant provides labor while alive and valuable ivory/hides after death, a great person's legacy or a high-quality asset continues to command respect and value even after its prime.
పూటకూళ్ళకు వచ్చిన వాళ్ళకు పుట్ల ధర ఎందుకు?
putakullaku vachchina vallaku putla dhara enduku?
Why should those who come for a single meal care about the price of large grain measures?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is only a temporary guest or has a limited, immediate interest in something, and therefore should not worry about long-term or large-scale complexities that do not affect them. It is often a retort to someone who is interfering in matters beyond their scope or stay.
పూటకూళ్లకు వచ్చిన వారికి పుట్ల ధర ఎందుకు?
putakullaku vachchina variki putla dhara enduku?
What have people buying cooked food, to do with the price of Puṭṭis [ of grain ] ?
This proverb is used to point out that people who are only temporarily involved or have a small stake in a situation should not concern themselves with large-scale or long-term complexities. It suggests that one should focus on their immediate needs or specific role rather than meddling in matters that do not affect them or are beyond their scope.
చిలుకకు చక్కెర చీమకు పంచదార
chilukaku chakkera chimaku panchadara
Sugar for the parrot, sugar for the ant
This expression describes a situation where a single act or resource benefits everyone involved, regardless of their status or size. It signifies impartiality, universal appeal, or a solution that satisfies diverse needs perfectly. In a broader sense, it refers to something being sweet or beneficial to all.
వెయ్యి పుట్ల వడ్లకు ఒక్క చిలకపురుగు చాలును.
veyyi putla vadlaku okka chilakapurugu chalunu.
One Chilakapurugu is enough for a thousand Puṭṭis of Paddy. Chilakapurugu ( lit. parrot-worm ) is a small worm found in stored grain.
This proverb highlights how a single small negative element or one bad person can destroy a vast amount of good work or a large community. It is used to caution that even a minor flaw or a single troublemaker should not be underestimated, as they have the potential to ruin everything.
ఇంటికి ఇత్తడి చిలుక, బయటికి బంగారు చిలుక
intiki ittadi chiluka, bayatiki bangaru chiluka
A brass parrot for the house, a golden parrot for the outside.
This proverb describes a person who presents a false, prestigious image to the world while living in poor or mediocre conditions at home. It is used to critique someone who prioritizes outward show and vanity over their actual internal reality or family's well-being.