వీపు తోమరా అంటే ఇక్కడొక బొక్క ఉన్నదే అన్నాడట.
vipu tomara ante ikkadoka bokka unnade annadata.
When asked to scrub the back, he said, "Hey, there is a hole here!"
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
నక్కబోయిన వెనుక బొక్క కొట్టుకొన్నట్లు.
nakkaboyina venuka bokka kottukonnatlu.
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'.
వెట్టిగదరా పోలా అంటే, యేడవక తీరదే అయ్యా అన్నాడట.
vettigadara pola ante, yedavaka tirade ayya annadata.
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.
తగవు తీర్చమంటే ధర్మరాజా! దూడ, బర్రె రెండూ నావే అన్నాడట
tagavu tirchamante dharmaraja! duda, barre rendu nave annadata
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.
గొడ్డలి దెబ్బకు అన్నాడట
goddali debbaku annadata
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.
ఏమిరా కోటా అంటే ఎప్పటిదే ఆట అన్నాడట
emira kota ante eppatide ata annadata
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.
నక్క పోయిన తరువాత బొక్క పట్టుకుని ఏడ్చాడట
nakka poyina taruvata bokka pattukuni edchadata
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.
వీపు గుద్దరా శిష్యా అంటే, నీకంటే తక్కువ తిన్నదెవరు అన్నాడట.
vipu guddara shishya ante, nikante takkuva tinnadevaru annadata.
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.
నక్క పోయిన వెనక బొక్క కొట్టుకొన్నట్టు.
nakka poyina venaka bokka kottukonnattu.
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'.
ఆకాశంలో అగడప వేసిందే అత్తా అంటే, నా చేతిలో అబక ఉన్నదిలే కోడలా అన్నదట
akashamlo agadapa vesinde atta ante, na chetilo abaka unnadile kodala annadata
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.
ఇక్కడ ఎక్కడుంటావురా అంటే అమ్మాయి ఇక్కడా ఉంటా, అక్కడా ఉంటా అన్నాడట
ikkada ekkaduntavura ante ammayi ikkada unta, akkada unta annadata
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.