అదుపులేని మగని మాట అరచీమ కుట్టినంత

adupuleni magani mata arachima kuttinanta

Translation

The word of a husband who has no control is like the sting of a red ant.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where a person's words or threats have no real impact or authority. Just as a red ant's sting causes temporary irritation but no lasting harm, the words of someone who lacks discipline, consistency, or power are ignored or dismissed by others as insignificant.

Related Phrases

An old man's word is like a thornless path.

This proverb emphasizes that the advice given by experienced elders is safe, wise, and reliable. Following their guidance helps one avoid unnecessary difficulties or 'thorns' in life's journey, leading to a smoother and more successful path.

When someone said 'Your husband only has copper earrings', the other replied 'At least yours has those; mine doesn't even have that much'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone complains about a small deficiency or low quality, only to be met by someone in an even worse state. It highlights relative poverty or misfortune, suggesting that one should be grateful for what they have because others might lack even the basics.

A bowl without a rim - a wife without restraint

This proverb uses a metaphor to describe instability. Just as a bowl without a rim is difficult to handle and lacks structural integrity, a household or a relationship where a partner lacks discipline or self-control becomes difficult to manage and lead to chaos.

The fire in the stomach is an invisible fire.

This expression refers to internal suffering, deep grief, or hidden jealousy that others cannot see. While physical fires are visible, the 'burning' one feels due to hunger, emotional pain, or envy is hidden from the world but deeply felt by the individual.

A bell without sound, a crop without grain.

This expression refers to something that lacks its core essence or purpose. Just as a bell is useless if it cannot ring and a crop is worthless if it doesn't yield grain, any object or person that does not fulfill their fundamental function is considered ineffective or hollow. It is used to describe wasted effort or decorative things that have no practical value.

A woman's word is the root of troubles

This is a traditional proverb implying that gossip or ill-advised words from a woman can lead to significant problems or conflicts. In modern contexts, it is often viewed as a dated or misogynistic sentiment, but it remains a known expression in literature and folklore to describe situations where a specific conversation or rumor triggered a series of misfortunes.

Born to a tiger, but bleating like a goat

This expression is used to describe a person who, despite having an illustrious lineage, high-status parents, or great potential, displays cowardice or lacks the expected qualities of their heritage. It highlights the irony of a person with great origins behaving in a weak or timid manner.

If you let out your secret, it will get all over the village.

This proverb is used to warn someone about the difficulty of keeping secrets. It suggests that once a private thought or secret is voiced to even one person, it quickly spreads and becomes public knowledge.

Three know it, all know it. (Italian.)* The secret of two is God's secret; the secret of three is all the world's, (French.)?

Like getting so lost in conversation that one forgets their husband.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gets so distracted by trivial talk or secondary activities that they completely neglect their primary responsibility or the main purpose of their task.

Words that are not understood are twisted/entwined words.

This expression is used to describe speech or language that is confusing, convoluted, or lacks clarity. It refers to someone talking in circles or using 'gibberish' that makes no sense to the listener.