ఆడమంటే పాడమన్నాడట, పాడమంటే పొమ్మన్నాడట
adamante padamannadata, padamante pommannadata
When asked to dance, he sang; when asked to sing, he left.
This expression is used to describe someone who is being uncooperative, stubborn, or intentionally doing the opposite of what is requested. It highlights a person's lack of interest or skill in following simple instructions, often choosing to be difficult or evasive instead of helpful.
Related Phrases
పదిమంది నడిచింది బాట, పదిమంది పలికింది మాట
padimandi nadichindi bata, padimandi palikindi mata
The path walked by ten people is a road, the word spoken by ten people is the truth.
This proverb emphasizes the power of collective opinion and consensus. It suggests that when a large group of people follows a certain path or agrees on a particular statement, it gains legitimacy and becomes the established norm or truth. It is used to highlight that communal agreement carries more weight than individual opinion.
తిండి చింత, దండి చింత.
tindi chinta, dandi chinta.
Worry about food is a great worry.
This proverb highlights that basic survival and the struggle for sustenance are the most significant and constant burdens a person can face. It emphasizes that hunger or the lack of resources to eat outweighs all other worldly concerns.
నంది అంటే నంది, పంది అంటే పంది
nandi ante nandi, pandi ante pandi
If he says it's Śiva's bull, it is Śiva's bull; if he says it's a pig, it is a pig.
This expression describes extreme sycophancy, blind obedience, or a 'yes-man' attitude. It is used to characterize someone who agrees with everything a powerful person says, even if the statements are contradictory or obviously false, just to please them.
Said of the power of a great and unjust man.
పంది ఎంత బలిసినా నంది కాదు
pandi enta balisina nandi kadu
No matter how fat a pig gets, it will never become a Nandi (sacred bull).
This proverb is used to say that outward appearance or physical growth cannot change one's inherent nature, character, or status. Just as a pig cannot become a divine bull by simply gaining weight, an unworthy person cannot become noble or great just by acquiring wealth or power.
ఆ దారి ఎక్కడికి పోతుంది అని అంటే, ఎక్కడికీ పోదు, నేను పుట్టింది మొదలు ఇక్కడే ఉంది అన్నట్లు.
a dari ekkadiki potundi ani ante, ekkadiki podu, nenu puttindi modalu ikkade undi annatlu.
When asked where that road goes, replying that it doesn't go anywhere and has been right here since I was born.
A humorous or sarcastic expression used to describe a person who interprets a question too literally or lacks common sense. It mocks the ignorance of someone who fails to understand that 'where does the road go' refers to its destination, not its physical movement.
అయిందిరా పెండ్లి అంటే, అణిగిందిరా రంది అన్నాడట.
ayindira pendli ante, anigindira randi annadata.
When told 'The wedding is over,' he replied, 'The anxiety has finally subsided.'
This proverb is used to describe a sense of relief after a major, stressful task or responsibility is completed. It highlights the mental burden one carries until a significant event (like a wedding in the family) is successfully concluded, after which the person can finally find peace of mind.
రాట్నం వచ్చింది బండి అడ్డం తీయరా అన్నాడట
ratnam vachchindi bandi addam tiyara annadata
He said the spinning wheel has arrived, move the cart out of the way.
This proverb is used to mock someone who exaggerates the importance of a small or insignificant object or event. It describes a situation where a person demands a lot of space or attention for something tiny (like a spinning wheel), treating it as if it were a massive vehicle (like a cart).
వెనకా ముందూ చూచి మాట్లాడండి
venaka mundu chuchi matladandi
Having looked before and behind, speak, Sir. A story is told of a corrupt judge behind whose seat one of the parties in a suit placed a bag of money and when he perceived that the case was going against him, called out " Look before and behind you Sir, and decide." The judge, perceiving the bribe, adroitly turned his judgment against the opposite party.
This expression is used as a piece of advice or a warning to someone to be cautious with their words. It suggests thinking about the consequences, the context, and the people present before speaking, ensuring one doesn't say something regrettable or inappropriate.
నంది అంటే నందే, పంది అంటే పందే
nandi ante nande, pandi ante pande
If you say it's a bull, it's a bull; if you say it's a pig, it's a pig.
This expression describes a person who is a 'yes-man' or someone who blindly agrees with whatever an influential person says, regardless of the truth or logic. It highlights submissiveness or a lack of independent judgment, often used to mock someone who changes their stance just to please a superior.
ఆడింది ఆట పాడింది పాట
adindi ata padindi pata
The game played is a game, and the song sung is a song.
This expression describes a situation where a person has absolute authority or dominance. It is used when someone's every action and word is accepted without question, or when they are in such a powerful position that whatever they do becomes the law or the norm.