ఆడపలు వేసినవి అత్తా అంటే, అట్లకు బియ్యం నానబొయ్యి కోడలా అన్నదట.
adapalu vesinavi atta ante, atlaku biyyam nanaboyyi kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said the clouds had gathered, the mother-in-law told her to soak rice for crepes.
This proverb describes a situation where someone misinterprets a sign of trouble or a warning as a reason for celebration or greed. When the daughter-in-law warns of dark clouds (incoming rain/storm), the mother-in-law, thinking only of tasty food, asks to prepare for snacks. It is used to mock people who lack foresight or who are disconnected from reality due to their desires.
Related Phrases
కోడలా కోడలా కొడుకు కోడూరుకపోయనే, నీకు కోకెక్కడదే అంటే, అత్తా అత్తా మామ మడమనూరు పోయెనేనీకు మెట్టెలెక్కడివే అన్నదట
kodala kodala koduku kodurukapoyane, niku kokekkadade ante, atta atta mama madamanuru poyeneniku mettelekkadive annadata
When the mother-in-law asked, 'Daughter-in-law, your husband has gone to Koduru, where did you get this saree from?', the daughter-in-law replied, 'Mother-in-law, my father-in-law has gone to Madamanuru, where did you get those toe-rings from?'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is guilty of a mistake or questionable behavior tries to criticize or question others for the same thing. It highlights hypocrisy and the act of 'tit-for-tat' questioning when one's own conduct is not beyond reproach.
బీచారాలు వేశాయి అత్తయ్యా అంటే పుడిసెడు వెనక్కుతీయవే కోడలా అన్నదట
bicharalu veshayi attayya ante pudisedu venakkutiyave kodala annadata
When the daughter-in-law said the crops have yielded seeds, the mother-in-law asked her to take a handful back.
This proverb is used to describe people who are extremely stingy or greedy. It depicts a situation where, instead of being happy about a harvest, a person immediately thinks of how to hoard or save even a tiny amount more, showing an obsessive level of frugality or selfishness.
అంబటి ఏరు వచ్చింది అత్తగారూ అంటే, కొలబుట్టి నా చేతిలోనే ఉన్నది కోడలా అన్నదట.
ambati eru vachchindi attagaru ante, kolabutti na chetilone unnadi kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said 'A flood of porridge has arrived, mother-in-law!', the mother-in-law replied 'The measuring basket is still in my hand, daughter-in-law.'
This proverb highlights excessive control, stinginess, or a refusal to let go of authority even when there is an abundance of resources. It describes a situation where a person in power insists on rationing or strictly controlling something even when it is available in plenty, or simply asserts their dominance for the sake of it.
అత్తా అత్తా అన్నం పెట్టత్తా అంటే సున్నం పెడతానే అందట.
atta atta annam pettatta ante sunnam pedatane andata.
When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'
This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.
అరే గడ్డితినే కోమటీ అంటే, యేమోయి బెల్లంతినే సాయెబూ అన్నాడట; అట్లా అంటివేమి కోమటీ అంటే, అతనికి అది వాడుక నాకు యిదివాడుక అన్నాడట.
are gadditine komati ante, yemoyi bellantine sayebu annadata; atla antivemi komati ante, ataniki adi vaduka naku yidivaduka annadata.
"Hollow! grass-eating Kômati," said [ a Mussulman ], "Well! molasses-eating Śāhib," replied [ the shopkeeper ]: "How is it you speak in this way?" asked [ a bystander ], "He is accustomed to that and I to this," said [ the Kômati.] i. e. He meant to say that the Mussulman was accustomed to grass and he to molasses.
This proverb highlights that one's speech and behavior reflect their own character rather than the character of the person they are addressing. It suggests that even if someone insults you with low-class language, you should maintain your dignity and respond with courtesy, as your words define who you are.
ఆకలి వేస్తోంది అత్తగారా అంటే, రోకలి మింగవే కోడలా అన్నదట.
akali vestondi attagara ante, rokali mingave kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said she was hungry, her mother- in-law told her to swallow the pestle.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone asks for a basic necessity or a small favor and receives a cruel, impossible, or mocking response instead of help. It highlights the lack of empathy or the hostile relationship between two people, often used to critique someone who gives heartless advice.
Rōkali is a wooden pestle, five or six feet long, used for pounding rice.
ఆకాశంలో అగడప వేసిందే అత్తా అంటే, నా చేతిలో అబక ఉన్నదిలే కోడలా అన్నదట
akashamlo agadapa vesinde atta ante, na chetilo abaka unnadile kodala annadata
When the daughter-in-law said, 'Mother-in-law, a barrier has been placed in the sky,' the mother-in-law replied, 'I have the ladle in my hand, dear.'
This proverb is used to describe a competitive relationship or a 'one-upmanship' attitude, particularly between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. It highlights a situation where one person makes an absurd or exaggerated claim, and the other responds with an equally nonsensical or defiant retort just to show they are not outdone or to maintain authority, regardless of logic.
అంబటి ఏరు వచ్చినది అత్తగారూ అంటే, కొలబుర్ర నాచేతిలో ఉన్నది కోడలా అన్నదట
ambati eru vachchinadi attagaru ante, kolaburra nachetilo unnadi kodala annadata
"A river of porridge has come, mother-in-law!" she cried. "But I have the measure, daughter-in-law," replied the dame.
This proverb highlights a power struggle or an obsession with control within a household. It describes a situation where, despite an abundance of resources (a river of food), the person in authority (the mother-in-law) insists on strictly rationing it to maintain their dominance and ensure the other person remains dependent or restricted.
అగడపలు వేసినవి అత్తగారా అంటే, కొలబుర్ర నా చేతిలోనే ఉన్నది కోడలా అన్నదట.
agadapalu vesinavi attagara ante, kolaburra na chetilone unnadi kodala annadata.
"See! The signs of rain appear!" cried the daughter-in-law "What of that?" said the mother-in-law "I have the measure." (See, Nos. 19, 155.)
This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to hide their lack of progress or authority by asserting that they still hold the means of control. It is used to point out someone who is being evasive, lazy, or trying to maintain power without actually completing the task at hand.
అగడపలు వేసినవి అత్తా అంటే, చేరెడు వెనక్కుకోడలా అన్నదట.
agadapalu vesinavi atta ante, cheredu venakkukodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said the boundary logs have been laid, the mother-in-law told her to move them back by a handful.
This proverb is used to describe a person (usually someone in authority) who gives unnecessary or contradictory advice just to show their dominance, even when the work done is perfectly fine. It highlights the tendency of some people to find faults or demand changes simply to exercise their power.