వీపు తోమరా అంటే ఇక్కడొక బొక్క ఉన్నదే అన్నాడట.

vipu tomara ante ikkadoka bokka unnade annadata.

Translation

When asked to scrub the back, he said, "Hey, there is a hole here!"

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe someone who finds unnecessary excuses or points out obvious flaws to avoid doing the work they were asked to do. It highlights the behavior of people who focus on trivial details or 'fault-finding' to escape responsibility.

Related Phrases

Like hitting the burrow after the fox has gone.

This expression refers to taking action or seeking a remedy after it is already too late. It is used to describe futile efforts made after the opportunity has passed or the damage is already done, similar to the English idiom 'closing the stable door after the horse has bolted'.

When one said " O Pôla! is it not work without pay ?" he replied " Alas! Sir, there is no way to get out of it." Said of any disagreeable duty, which must be performed without remuneration. To have nothing but one's labour for one's pains. Like the tailor who sewed for nothing and found thread himself. Better sit idle than work for nought.

This expression describes a situation where someone is forced to do a difficult or unrewarding task against their will. It highlights the helplessness of an individual who must comply with an order even when they are miserable doing it. It is used to mock or point out a situation where work is done out of pure obligation without any joy or benefit.

When asked to settle a dispute, the person acting like the righteous Yudhisthira claimed both the calf and the buffalo for himself.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is appointed as a neutral mediator or judge turns out to be greedy and tries to take everything for themselves. It highlights hypocrisy and the betrayal of trust by those in positions of authority.

He said 'brother' to the axe blow

This expression describes a situation where someone suddenly becomes humble, respectful, or starts calling an enemy 'brother' only when faced with an immediate, life-threatening danger or severe punishment. It is used to mock people who only show manners or submission when they are under duress.

When asked 'What's the status, Kota?', he replied 'The same old game'.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time or changing circumstances. It signifies stagnation, a lack of progress, or someone sticking to their old, often repetitive or unproductive ways.

After the fox escaped, he sat crying at the burrow.

This proverb describes a person who takes action or shows concern after the opportunity is long gone or the damage is already done. It is used to mock someone's useless efforts or mourning after a critical moment has passed.

When told 'punch my back, disciple', he replied 'who ate less than you?'.

This proverb describes a situation where someone gives a nonsensical or irrelevant reply to a simple request, or avoids work by engaging in pointless flattery/argument. It is often used when a student or subordinate tries to be over-smart instead of doing the task assigned by their mentor.

After the jackal had departed, the hole lamented and wept. Great sorrow in a household.

This proverb describes a situation where someone takes action or seeks a solution after the opportunity has passed or the damage is already done. It is used to mock futile, late efforts that serve no purpose, similar to the English expression 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted'.

When the daughter-in-law said, 'Mother-in-law, a barrier has been placed in the sky,' the mother-in-law replied, 'I have the ladle in my hand, dear.'

This proverb is used to describe a competitive relationship or a 'one-upmanship' attitude, particularly between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. It highlights a situation where one person makes an absurd or exaggerated claim, and the other responds with an equally nonsensical or defiant retort just to show they are not outdone or to maintain authority, regardless of logic.

When asked 'Where will you stay?', he replied 'I will stay here, and I will stay there too.'

This proverb is used to describe someone who is indecisive, fickle, or double-minded. It refers to a person who tries to maintain a presence or take sides in multiple places or situations simultaneously to avoid commitment or to gain advantage from all sides, often resulting in being unreliable.