అబ్బడి నెత్తి దిబ్బడు కొడితే, దిబ్బడి నెత్తి సుబ్బడు కొట్టినాడు
abbadi netti dibbadu kodite, dibbadi netti subbadu kottinadu
When Dibbadu hit Abbadi's head, Subbadu hit Dibbadu's head.
This expression describes a chain reaction of consequences or a cycle of karma. It is used to convey that if someone bullies or harms a weaker person, there is always someone stronger or more powerful who will eventually do the same to them. It highlights the idea of 'tit for tat' and that everyone is accountable to someone else.
Related Phrases
బోడి నెత్తిన టెంకాయ కొట్టినట్టు
bodi nettina tenkaya kottinattu
Like beating a shaven head with a cocoanut. As used to be done to a Sannyâsi ( religious mendicant ) by his disciples when he was about to die.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely harsh, blunt, or unkind to a vulnerable person. It signifies a lack of empathy or a direct, painful impact on someone who has no protection against the action.
లోకం మెచ్చింది గొప్ప, లోభి మెచ్చింది దిబ్బ
lokam mechchindi goppa, lobhi mechchindi dibba
What the world admires is great; what a miser admires is a pile of trash.
This proverb highlights that societal recognition comes from generosity and noble actions. While the general public values greatness and virtue, a miserly person only values hoarding wealth or useless things (heaps), which have no real social value. It is used to contrast the difference between true greatness and selfish accumulation.
అబ్బడి నెత్తి దిబ్బడు కొడితే, దిబ్బడు నెత్తి సుబ్బడు కొట్టాట్ట
abbadi netti dibbadu kodite, dibbadu netti subbadu kottatta
When Dibbadu hit Abbadi on the head, Subbadu hit Dibbadu on the head.
This expression refers to a chain of retribution or a cycle of actions where one person's aggression towards someone weaker is met with similar treatment from someone stronger. It is used to describe situations where a bully gets a taste of their own medicine or to illustrate that there is always someone more powerful who can serve justice or karma.
పేరు పెద్ద, ఊరు దిబ్బ
peru pedda, uru dibba
A great name but the village a heap [of ruins ].
This expression is used to describe a person or situation that has a grand reputation or a high-sounding title, but lacks substance or quality in reality. It is similar to the English proverb 'Great cry and little wool' or 'All that glitters is not gold.'
గర్భకార్తె వర్షాలకు దిబ్బలు కూడా కరుగుతాయి
garbhakarte varshalaku dibbalu kuda karugutayi
The rains of the Garbha Karthe can even melt away mounds of dirt.
This is a traditional agricultural saying (sameta) referring to the intense and heavy rainfall during the 'Garbha Karthe' period. It suggests that the downpour is so powerful and continuous that even large, hardened mounds of earth or heaps of rubbish are washed away or liquefied. It is used to describe exceptionally heavy rain.
అత్తమ్మ నెత్తి బుడతడు కొడితే, బుడతడి నెత్తి బుడ్డోడు కొట్టాడట.
attamma netti budatadu kodite, budatadi netti buddodu kottadata.
If a child hits the grandmother's head, another child will hit that child's head.
This Telugu proverb illustrates the concept of karma or 'tit for tat.' It suggests that the same treatment or harm you inflict upon others will eventually be returned to you by someone else. It is used to warn people that their negative actions have consequences.
పొట్టివాని నెత్తి పొడుగువాడు కొట్టె, పొడవువాని నెత్తి దేవుడు కొట్టె
pottivani netti poduguvadu kotte, podavuvani netti devudu kotte
The tall man hit the short man's head; God hit the tall man's head.
This proverb conveys the idea of poetic justice or divine retribution. It implies that while a person might use their strength or advantage to bully someone weaker, there is always a higher power or fate that ensures the bully eventually faces justice. It is used to remind people that no one is truly invincible and that actions have consequences.
చంకనెత్తుకుంటే ముద్దు, నెత్తినెత్తుకుంటే నడమంత్రం
chankanettukunte muddu, nettinettukunte nadamantram
If carried on the hip, it is affection; if carried on the head, it is a nuisance.
This proverb highlights the importance of maintaining boundaries and limits. It suggests that while showing affection or giving support is good, over-indulging someone or giving them too much freedom/authority can lead to them becoming a burden or acting out of place. It is often used to warn against spoiling children or being overly lenient with subordinates.
దిబ్బాలమ్మకి దీపం పెడితే, పందిమొగుడు వచ్చి పడదోసి పోయె.
dibbalammaki dipam pedite, pandimogudu vachchi padadosi poye.
When a lamp was lit for the goddess Dibbalamma, a pig-husband came and knocked it over.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an effort made with good intentions or a small act of devotion is immediately ruined by someone uncouth, clumsy, or undeserving. It highlights how the actions of a crude person can spoil a delicate or sacred task.
చెడేవాడు అబ్బడున్నాడు, మరీ పిడికెడు తేరా దానము చేస్తాను అన్నాడట
chedevadu abbadunnadu, mari pidikedu tera danamu chestanu annadata
It is Abbaḍu who will be ruined, bring me another handful [of money,] I will give it in alms.
This proverb describes a person who, despite being on the verge of bankruptcy or total ruin, continues to act recklessly and extravagantly. It is used to mock someone who shows false generosity or wastes resources they no longer possess, illustrating that their poor judgment is what led to their downfall in the first place.
Abbaḍu is a familiar term applied to a lad. Hens are ay free o' horse corn. (Scotch.)