విచిత్రపు పచ్చిపులుసు ఈగలగొట్టి, తాలింపుపెట్టి ఇద్దరిని రమ్మంటే ముగ్గురు వచ్చారట.

vichitrapu pachchipulusu igalagotti, talimpupetti iddarini rammante mugguru vachcharata.

Translation

For the strange cold-soup, flies were swatted, seasoning was added, and when two people were invited, three arrived.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation that is poorly managed or insufficient from the start. It mocks a person who prepares a meager, unhygienic dish (pachi pulusu) with great difficulty, only to find that even more guests than expected have arrived, making a bad situation even more awkward or ridiculous.

Related Phrases

When asked to go and see, he went and burnt it down.

This proverb is inspired by the character Hanuman from the Ramayana, who was sent to find Sita but ended up burning Lanka. It is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task far exceeding the original instructions, often in a bold, aggressive, or transformative way. It can be used both as praise for initiative or as a critique for overstepping bounds.

If one says "O life! I died by mistake, come back," will the life return?

This proverb is used to convey that certain actions are irreversible. Just as life cannot return once it has left the body—regardless of whether the death was accidental or intentional—certain mistakes cannot be undone, and lost opportunities or broken trust cannot be restored simply by wishing for them.

When he was sent to find out, he ate and returned.

This proverb describes a person who completely ignores the original purpose of a task or instruction and instead focuses on their own comfort or personal interests. It is used to mock someone's irresponsibility or lack of focus when they are sent on an errand but get distracted by something trivial or beneficial to themselves.

If ten are added, it is raw tamarind soup; otherwise, it is spoiled soup.

This expression is used to highlight that a task or project can only be successful if the necessary resources, efforts, or people are involved. Without the essential ingredients or support, the result is worthless or a failure. It emphasizes the importance of adequacy and contribution.

The strange tamarind stew supposedly swallowed the dining leaf

This expression is used to describe a situation where the secondary or minor element ends up consuming or destroying the main element it was supposed to be a part of. It highlights ironic or absurd outcomes where the tool or accompaniment overwhelms the object it was intended for.

Thicker than tamarind stew, thinner than raw tamarind soup.

This expression is used to describe something that is inconsistent, vague, or lacks a definite shape or standard. It refers to a situation or a person's behavior that is confusing because it fits neither one extreme nor the other, often used sarcastically to point out poor quality or lack of clarity.

The strange raw tamarind soup supposedly swallowed the leaf plate.

This expression is used to describe an absurd or impossible situation where the effect/consequence is so extreme that it consumes the source or its container. It is often used to mock exaggerated claims or to point out a situation where something intended to be simple becomes unexpectedly destructive or overwhelming.

Will raw butter be praised in front of pure ghee?

This proverb is used to say that a lesser version or an incomplete product cannot compete with the refined, final, or superior version. It emphasizes that once someone experiences the best (ghee), they will no longer value the basic or raw form (butter).

When asked to just go and see, he came back married.

This proverb describes a situation where someone exceeds their brief or instructions in an impulsive or extreme way, often causing unintended consequences. It is used when a person is sent for a simple task but ends up making a major, permanent decision without permission.

Like the stew coming and washing away the rice grain.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something that was meant to be supplementary or a side-dish ends up overpowering or destroying the main component. It refers to cases where a small or secondary factor causes the loss of the primary objective or asset.