Explore 13,500+ Telugu SametaluExpressionsSayingsProverbs
Discover the meaning behind everyday Telugu sayings.
Curated Selections
చినికి చినికి గాలీవాన అయినట్లు.
chiniki chiniki galivana ayinatlu.
Like drizzles becoming a cyclone.
Sometimes, a mere altercation, starting off in a small way, may lead to a fierce quarrel and continuing enmity.
పెళ్ళికి వెళుతు పిల్లిని చంకన పెట్టుకు వెళ్ళినట్టు.
pelliki velutu pillini chankana pettuku vellinattu.
Taking a cat along while going to a wedding.
This refers to doing something inauspicious or undesirable. It is an unwanted burden and might lead to undesirable results.
రౌతు కొద్దీ గుర్రము
rautu koddi gurramu
Horse behaves (runs) to suit (the ability of) the rider.
The worker in any setup works as directed/controlled by the master. If the master/manager is incompetent/lenient, there will be no discipline and the entire setup will be disorganized.
పులిని చూసీ నక్క వాత బెట్టుకున్నట్ళు.
pulini chusi nakka vata bettukunnatlu.
Like the fox branding itself, to match the tiger’s stripes.
The reference is to ordinary person trying to pretend that he is a great man by imitating mere external features and mannerism of a great person. By such efforts one only makes a fool of oneself.
కొరివితో తల గోక్కున్నట్లు.
korivito tala gokkunnatlu.
Scratching the head with the burning torch.
Doing something dangerous. One should avoid taking to dangerous paths to solve one’s problems, as they may lead to more troubles.
అడగందే ఆమ్మైనా పెట్టదు.
adagande ammaina pettadu.
Without being asked even a mother will not give.
Without asking, help wouldn’t be forthcoming, even from well-wishers.
తీగ లాగీతే డొంక అంతా కదిలినట్లు.
tiga lagite donka anta kadilinatlu.
When we pull at a creeper, the whole bush is moved.
This is to suggest that if a small thing is disturbed, it leads to a lot of movement. It suggests that when a small clue is obtained in an investigation, it may lead to unexpected connections and result in the nabbing of the real culprit.
కరవమంటే కప్పకు కోపం, విడవమంటే పాముకు కోపం.
karavamante kappaku kopam, vidavamante pamuku kopam.
If asked to bite, the frog would be angry; if asked to let go, the snake would be angry.
This refers to a situation when there are two disputing parties and advising either of them to compromise or withdraw from the dispute will be rejected by both. On those occasions, it is wise to keep quiet.
సంతోషం సగం బలం.
santosham sagam balam.
Being joyful is half one’s strength.
This is to suggest that one should be joyful, especially in unfavourable circumstances. That is the way to draw strength from even adverse circumstances.
కీలెరిగి వాత
kilerigi vata
One should know the joint and brand it.
In the past and also occasionally at present, there is a practice of scorching or branding literally as a therapy. One should identify the problem and take appropriate steps to solve it. In other words, you have to know the sensitive spot and work on it for your success.