విత్తనాలకు పోయిన రెడ్డి పూదెలెత్తగా వచ్చినాడు
vittanalaku poyina reddi pudelettaga vachchinadu
The farmer who went for seed, returned after the harvest.
This expression refers to someone who takes an excessively long time to complete a simple task, returning only when the work is already finished or when the timing is no longer relevant. It is used to mock extreme procrastination or laziness.
Applied to a slow coach.
Related Phrases
మెత్తనాళ్లు పోయినవి, చెత్తనాళ్లు వచ్చినవి
mettanallu poyinavi, chettanallu vachchinavi
The days of bedding are gone, the days of straw have come. The reverses of fortune.
This expression is used to describe a transition from a period of prosperity, ease, or high quality to a period of hardship, low quality, or difficult times. It signifies that the 'golden days' are over and one must now deal with inferior or challenging circumstances.
విత్తనాలుంటేనే పెత్తనాలు.
vittanaluntene pettanalu.
Only if there are seeds, can there be management (authority).
This proverb highlights that one can only exercise authority or manage affairs if they possess the necessary resources or capital. In an agricultural context, it means without seeds to sow, there is no farm to manage; in a broader sense, it implies that financial stability is the foundation of influence and leadership.
మెత్తనాళ్ళు పోయినవి, చెత్తనాళ్ళు వచ్చినవి.
mettanallu poyinavi, chettanallu vachchinavi.
The soft/gentle days are gone, and the trashy/difficult days have arrived.
This expression is used to describe a transition from a period of prosperity, comfort, and easy living to a period of hardship, low quality, or unfavorable conditions. It highlights a decline in the standard or quality of life or circumstances.
రెడ్డి వచ్చినాడు, మొదటినుంచి పాడుమన్నట్టు.
reddi vachchinadu, modatinunchi padumannattu.
The Reddi has come, begin your song again. A person being continually asked to recommence his song or story on the arrival of every person of consequence.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is asked to restart a task or process from the very beginning just because a latecomer or an influential person has arrived, disregarding the progress already made. It highlights the frustration of unnecessary repetition and the inconvenience caused by late arrivals.
ఒళ్ళు వాచిన రెడ్డి వడ్లు ఏమి ధర అని అడిగితే, అవి లేకనే నా ఒళ్ళంతా వాచినది అన్నాడట.
ollu vachina reddi vadlu emi dhara ani adigite, avi lekane na ollanta vachinadi annadata.
" Well, swollen-bodied Reddi! how do you sell your paddy ?" " The want of it alone has made my whole body swell," he replied. The Hindus believe that longing for any desired object causes the legs and face to swell.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is suffering from extreme poverty or starvation. In the story, the swelling is due to malnutrition (dropsy), but the onlooker mistakenly thinks the man is wealthy and asking about market rates. It highlights a tragic irony where a person's visible distress is misinterpreted as a sign of prosperity or involvement in trade.
సంతకు పోయి వచ్చిన ముఖం
santaku poyi vachchina mukham
A face that looks like it just returned from a weekly market
This expression is used to describe someone who looks extremely exhausted, weary, or dull after a long, tiring activity or a chaotic event. Just as a person returning from a crowded, dusty, and loud village market (santa) looks drained of energy, this phrase highlights a person's physical or mental fatigue.
కళ్యాణము వచ్చినా కక్కు వచ్చినా ఆగదు
kalyanamu vachchina kakku vachchina agadu
When marriage comes, or vomiting, it cannot be stopped.
This proverb is used to indicate that certain events in life are inevitable and beyond human control once they are set in motion. Just as a physical urge like vomiting cannot be suppressed, significant life events like marriage will happen when the time is right, regardless of attempts to delay or stop them.
కొండంత రెడ్డి పోగా పిడికెడు బొచ్చుకు ఏడ్చినట్టు
kondanta reddi poga pidikedu bochchuku edchinattu
When the big Reddy died they wept only for the handful of his hair. Indifferent to a great loss, but lamenting over some trifle that went with it. Fear not the loss of the bell more than the loss of the steeplce.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone experiences a massive, significant loss but ignores it and instead worries or complains about a trivial, insignificant loss. It highlights a lack of perspective or misplaced priorities during a crisis.
మందుకు పోయినవాడు మాసికానికి వచ్చినట్లు
manduku poyinavadu masikaniki vachchinatlu
Like a person who went to fetch medicine returning in time for the monthly funeral rites.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is extremely slow or procrastinates to a ridiculous extent. It depicts a situation where a person sent to get life-saving medicine for a patient returns so late that the patient has already died and it is time for the 'Masikam' (a ritual performed one month after death).
వచ్చిన వాడు చచ్చినా పోదు.
vachchina vadu chachchina podu.
Calumny is not removed even by death.
This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.
Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.