అడ్డాల నాడు బిడ్డలు కానీ, గడ్డాల నాడు బిడ్డలు కాదు
addala nadu biddalu kani, gaddala nadu biddalu kadu
They are children when they are on your lap, but not when they grow beards.
This proverb highlights the changing nature of the parent-child relationship. It means that children are only dependent and obedient when they are young (infants on laps); once they grow up (grow beards/become adults), they have their own minds, independence, and may no longer listen to or stay under the control of their parents.
Related Phrases
చెడపడానికి ఒక్క చేటెడు బుద్ధి చాలు
chedapadaniki okka chetedu buddhi chalu
A winnowing basket full of bad intelligence is enough to ruin everything.
This expression is used to describe how a small amount of foolishness, negative influence, or bad advice is sufficient to cause significant destruction or failure. It highlights that while building something takes effort, ruining it requires very little.
తాగినవాని మాట దబ్బర కాదు
taginavani mata dabbara kadu
A drunkard's word is not a lie.
This proverb suggests that people often speak the absolute truth when they are intoxicated because their inhibitions and filters are lowered. It is used to imply that what someone says while drunk is their genuine feeling or a reality they were hiding while sober.
ఈ చేత్తో చేస్తే ఆ చేత్తో అనుభవిస్తారు
i chetto cheste a chetto anubhavistaru
What you do with this hand, you will experience with the other hand.
This expression is similar to 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It implies that the consequences of one's actions—whether good or bad—will inevitably catch up to them, often sooner than expected. It is used to remind people that their current deeds determine their future outcomes.
వింతలమారికి చండ్లు వస్తే మేనమామకి కండ్లు పోయినవట.
vintalamariki chandlu vaste menamamaki kandlu poyinavata.
When the eccentric woman grew breasts, her maternal uncle lost his eyesight.
This proverb describes a situation where two unrelated events are coincidentally or spitefully linked, or more commonly, a scenario where a positive development for one person results in an unfortunate or jealous reaction/consequence for another. It is used to mock people who cannot bear to see others progress or to describe an absurd, ill-timed coincidence.
చేట భారతం
cheta bharatam
A Mahabharata as large as a winnowing basket.
This expression is used to describe a story, explanation, or document that is unnecessarily long, tedious, or excessively detailed. It compares a small or simple matter to the epic Mahabharata, implying that someone is stretching a simple point into a never-ending saga.
ఈ చేత చేసి ఆ చేత అనుభవించినట్టు.
i cheta chesi a cheta anubhavinchinattu.
Doing with this hand, and receiving the reward with that. Said of the certain result of either a good or bad deed. As you sow you shall reap. As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.
This proverb refers to the concept of 'Instant Karma'. It describes a situation where the consequences of one's actions (good or bad) follow almost immediately, without much delay. It implies that justice or results are delivered within the same lifetime or very quickly.
ఒక చేత పసుపు, ఒక చేత ముసుగు
oka cheta pasupu, oka cheta musugu
In one hand turmeric, in the other hand a hood. Turmeric is much used on auspicious occasions such as marriages. Every woman, except she be a widow, also rubs it daily on her body before bathing. Musuku is the skirt of a woman's cloth thrown over the head ( by widows ) as a hood.
This expression is used to describe an extremely critical or dangerous situation where life and death are equally possible. It is often used in the context of high-risk medical procedures, difficult childbirths, or precarious battles, signifying that while one hand prepares for a celebration or recovery (turmeric), the other prepares for a funeral (shroud).
మీసాలు వచ్చేటప్పుడు దేశాలు కానరావు.
misalu vachchetappudu deshalu kanaravu.
Countries are not visible when the mustache is growing.
This proverb refers to the phase of adolescence or early youth when one becomes self-centered or blinded by physical growth and ego. It suggests that when young people reach a certain age (symbolized by growing a mustache), they often lack the maturity or worldly perspective to see the realities and complexities of the world around them, often being overly confident in their limited knowledge.
లేనిదానికి పోగా, ఉన్నది ఊడి పోయిందట
lenidaniki poga, unnadi udi poyindata
While going for what was not there, even what was there was lost
This proverb describes a situation where someone loses their existing possessions or status while greedily pursuing something they don't have. It is used to caution against unnecessary risks or greed that leads to the loss of one's current security.
ఒక చేత పసుపు, ఒక చేత ముసుగు
oka cheta pasupu, oka cheta musugu
Turmeric in one hand, a veil in the other.
This proverb describes a person who displays contradictory behavior or is prepared for two completely opposite situations at once (like a wedding and a funeral). It is used to mock hypocritical behavior or to describe someone who is being extremely cautious or deceptive by keeping both a 'cure' and a 'cover' ready.