அறுக்கமாட்டாதவன் இடுப்பில் ஐம்பத்தெட்டு அரிவாள்
அறககமடடதவன இடபபல ஐமபததடட அரவள
Inefficient man carries many sickles
Meaning
Lazy people make many excuses
Cultural Background
The 'Arivaal' (sickle) is not just a tool but a symbol of power and protection in rural Tamil Nadu. Many village deities (like Ayyanar) are depicted holding an Arivaal. Proverbs are frequently used by protagonists in Tamil movies to deliver 'punch dialogues' that mock the villain's incompetence. In Indian offices, this proverb is often translated into 'Hinglish' or used in its native form to describe 'all-hat-no-cattle' management styles. Second-generation Tamils in the West often learn this proverb as a way to connect with their parents' agricultural roots, even if they've never seen a real sickle.
Use the number 58
Even if you forget the whole proverb, just saying 'Aimbatthettu arivaal' (58 sickles) in response to an excuse is a very native-like witty comeback.
Gender endings
The word ends in '-avan' (masculine). If you want to be grammatically precise for a woman, use '-aval', but the fixed proverb usually stays masculine.
Meaning
Lazy people make many excuses
Use the number 58
Even if you forget the whole proverb, just saying 'Aimbatthettu arivaal' (58 sickles) in response to an excuse is a very native-like witty comeback.
Gender endings
The word ends in '-avan' (masculine). If you want to be grammatically precise for a woman, use '-aval', but the fixed proverb usually stays masculine.
Humor is key
This is a funny proverb. Deliver it with a smile or a playful roll of the eyes for maximum effect.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the proverb.
அறுக்கமாட்டாதவன் இடுப்பில் _________ அரிவாள்.
The traditional number used in this proverb is 58 (Aimbatthettu).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
Situation: Kumar buys a professional DSLR camera, 4 lenses, and a tripod, but he only takes blurry photos of his cat.
This situation perfectly illustrates having too many tools without the skill to use them.
Fill in the missing part of the proverb.
_________ இடுப்பில் ஐம்பத்தெட்டு அரிவாள்.
'Arukkamaattaathavan' means 'the one who cannot reap/cut.'
Complete the dialogue with the proverb.
Ravi: 'I can't finish the project because my mouse is too small, my chair is uncomfortable, and the room is too bright.' Suresh: 'Stop it, Ravi! _________.'
Suresh is calling out Ravi's excessive excuses.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesஅறுக்கமாட்டாதவன் இடுப்பில் _________ அரிவாள்.
The traditional number used in this proverb is 58 (Aimbatthettu).
Situation: Kumar buys a professional DSLR camera, 4 lenses, and a tripod, but he only takes blurry photos of his cat.
This situation perfectly illustrates having too many tools without the skill to use them.
_________ இடுப்பில் ஐம்பத்தெட்டு அரிவாள்.
'Arukkamaattaathavan' means 'the one who cannot reap/cut.'
Ravi: 'I can't finish the project because my mouse is too small, my chair is uncomfortable, and the room is too bright.' Suresh: 'Stop it, Ravi! _________.'
Suresh is calling out Ravi's excessive excuses.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsThere is no historical reason for the number 58; it is a hyperbolic number chosen for its rhythmic sound in Tamil.
Only if the atmosphere is casual or if you are close with your colleagues. It can be seen as a bit too blunt for formal settings.
It is a mild insult or a 'burn.' It mocks someone's competence, so use it carefully.
A master doesn't need many tools. In Tamil, we might say 'Vallavanukku pullum aayutham' (For a capable man, even a blade of grass is a weapon).
Related Phrases
வேலை தெரியாதவன் ஆயுதத்தைக் குறை சொன்னானாம்
synonymA bad workman blames his tools.
ஆடத் தெரியாதவள் கூடம் கோணல் என்றாளாம்
similarThe woman who couldn't dance said the stage was crooked.
வெற்று வேட்டு
specialized formEmpty firecracker.
புலி எட்டடி பாய்ந்தால், குட்டி பதினாறடி பாயும்
contrastIf the tiger leaps 8 feet, the cub leaps 16.
