Bad Company

This phrase is typically used to express a sense of urgency or priority in following someone's lead or instructions. It can also imply being proactive or staying ahead of someone in a competitive or social context. In some dialects, it may refer to the necessity of preceding someone during a ritual or formal procession.

This expression is used to describe how people with similar bad habits, questionable characters, or dishonest intentions tend to support and protect each other. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Birds of a feather flock together' or 'Honor among thieves', often used in a negative context to highlight collusion between wrongdoers.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person is clever or troublesome, but their close associate or relative is even more cunning or difficult to deal with. It highlights a hierarchy of shrewdness or mischief within a group.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is already in deep distress or a catastrophic crisis, and instead of receiving help, someone else adds to their misery or takes advantage of the situation in a cruel or insensitive way. It is used to highlight the extreme insensitivity of others during a person's worst moments.

This expression is used to describe things or people that are fundamentally unsuitable or harmful. Just as 'Toka Vadlu' (a poor quality grain with tails) is difficult to cook and yields poor results, a person who betrays trust is ruinous to a friendship. It serves as a warning against relying on low-quality resources or untrustworthy companions.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people with similar flaws or limitations collaborate to procrastinate or avoid a task. It highlights how people who share the same excuses often encourage each other to delay work, even when the task is necessary. It is used to mock the tendency of lazy or incapable people to find common ground in making excuses.

This proverb describes a situation where someone adds a trivial or irrelevant task/request to a person who is already in deep distress or overwhelmed by a significant problem. It is used when a person lacks empathy and makes an untimely request during a crisis.

This proverb describes a situation where someone loses a secure, legitimate, or valuable asset because they were foolishly relying on something unreliable, temporary, or deceptive. It is used to caution against abandoning what is certain for the sake of an empty promise.

This expression refers to people who are never satisfied and will find a way to exploit or bother you regardless of your status or condition. It is often used to describe toxic environments or manipulative individuals who harass others whether they are doing well (prosperous/fat) or struggling (weak/thin).

This expression is used when two people with similar bad habits, flaws, or negative reputations join forces or become friends. It implies that their association will likely lead to even more trouble or messiness, similar to how soot and oil together create a persistent stain. It is often used to describe a partnership of incompetent or mischievous individuals.

This proverb refers to a person who is extremely stingy or stubborn in dealings. Instead of resolving a situation through mutual exchange or compromise, such a person makes things miserable for others through petty, annoying, or persistent troubles (symbolized by pinching). It is used to describe the suffocating nature of dealing with someone who lacks the spirit of cooperation.

This proverb is used to illustrate that certain consequences are inevitable. Just as dry grass will surely catch fire if placed in a flame, a person cannot avoid trouble or corruption if they are constantly in a dangerous or unethical environment. It is often used as a warning about the influence of bad company or risky situations.

This proverb highlights that a single good or wise person is often helpless and unable to influence a large group of wicked or ignorant people. It is used to describe situations where a lone voice of reason is drowned out by a majority of dissenters or wrongdoers.

This proverb warns against being overly friendly or familiar with small-minded or ill-mannered people. Just as a dog will lick your face if you try to kiss it (losing your dignity or hygiene), being too close to an unworthy person will eventually lead to them disrespecting you or crossing boundaries.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an exceptionally virtuous, talented, or noble person is born to parents of bad character or low merit. It highlights a rare and positive exception in lineage, much like finding a precious gem in an unlikely or unworthy source.

This proverb warns against individuals who suggest the same extreme or painful solution for every problem. It refers to an incompetent or dangerous 'expert' who lacks nuance and relies on crude methods, advising one to avoid such people for their own safety.

This expression means that a person's behavior, speech, and values are heavily influenced by their upbringing, environment, or the company they keep. It is often used to describe how people naturally adopt the traits of their family or social circle.

This expression is used to warn against engaging or arguing with low-minded, vulgar, or malicious people. Just as throwing a stone into a pile of dung causes it to splatter on the person who threw it, getting involved with bad people or unnecessary scandals only results in bringing defilement or bad reputation upon oneself.

This expression is used to describe someone who offers unsolicited advice or unasked-for information. It refers to a person who habitually interferes in others' business or talks too much about things that weren't even brought up, much like a talkative character who narrates their story without any prompt.

This proverb is used to warn that one must face the inevitable consequences of their dangerous or foolish actions. If you knowingly involve yourself in a volatile situation or bad company, you cannot complain when you get hurt.