అల్లుడి కత్తికి రెండువైపులా పదునైతే, అతని అప్పకు ఆరువైపులా పదును.
alludi kattiki renduvaipula padunaite, atani appaku aruvaipula padunu.
If the son-in-law's sword is sharp on two sides, his sister's sword is sharp on six sides.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person is clever or troublesome, but their close associate or relative is even more cunning or difficult to deal with. It highlights a hierarchy of shrewdness or mischief within a group.
Related Phrases
మాదిగ మంచానికి కాళ్లవైపూ తలవైపూ ఒకటే
madiga manchaniki kallavaipu talavaipu okate
The head and the foot of a cobbler's bed are alike. Said of an unprincipled sensualist.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no distinction between the beginning and the end, or when someone is so disorganized or indifferent that they do not differentiate between important and unimportant things. Historically, it refers to a simple rope cot (charpai) where both ends are woven identically, lacking the traditional headboard distinction, symbolizing a lack of hierarchy or order.
* Nañ me pago do amigo, que come o seu sô, e o meu oximo. † Le feste sono bella a casa d'altr.
పల్లంవైపుకే నీళ్లు పారేది
pallamvaipuke nillu paredi
Water only flows towards the slope.
This proverb means that resources, benefits, or problems naturally gravitate towards a specific direction or towards those who are already in a certain position. It is often used to suggest that money flows to the rich, or that consequences naturally follow a specific path based on existing conditions.
ఎరువుల సొమ్ము బరువుల చేటు, తీయ పెట్ట తీపుల చేటు, అందులో ఒకటి పోతే అప్పుల చేటు
eruvula sommu baruvula chetu, tiya petta tipula chetu, andulo okati pote appula chetu
Borrowed wealth is a burden, eating sweets brings harm, and if any of it is lost, it leads to debt.
This proverb warns about the dangers of borrowing and the consequences of careless living. It highlights that borrowed money or items are never truly yours and create a psychological or financial burden. Similarly, overindulgence (sweets) leads to health issues. Ultimately, it emphasizes that if borrowed assets are lost or wasted, it results in a cycle of debt and ruin.
రాజుకత్తికి రెండువైపులా పదునే.
rajukattiki renduvaipula padune.
The King's sword is sharp on both sides.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person in power or a specific decision can be dangerous or beneficial regardless of the direction it takes. It implies that dealing with powerful people is risky because their favor and their anger can both have sharp consequences, or that a particular tool/strategy has double-edged risks.
తీపుల మాటలకు వీపులు గుంజుతవి.
tipula matalaku vipulu gunjutavi.
Sweet words cause the back to be thrashed.
This proverb warns that sweet talk or flattery can often lead to trouble or physical punishment later. It is used to advise caution when someone is being overly complimentary or deceptive, as their words might lead one into a trap or a situation resulting in severe consequences.
మాదిగ మంచానికి కాళ్ళవైపూ, తలవైపూ ఒకటే.
madiga manchaniki kallavaipu, talavaipu okate.
For a cobbler's cot, the foot side and the head side are the same.
This proverb describes a state of complete symmetry, equality, or sometimes, a lack of standards where distinctions are not made. It is used to refer to situations where there is no difference between the beginning and the end, or where things are handled with total indifference to traditional order or hierarchy.
రోలుకు ఒకవైపు, మద్దెలకి ఇరువైపులా దెబ్బలు.
roluku okavaipu, maddelaki iruvaipula debbalu.
The mortar gets hit on one side, but the drum gets hit on both sides.
This proverb describes a situation where one person suffers more trouble or pressure than another. It is used to express that while everyone faces difficulties, some people are caught in the middle and endure hardship from all directions simultaneously.
అందానికి రెండు బొందలు, ఆటకు రెండు తాళాలు.
andaniki rendu bondalu, ataku rendu talalu.
Two holes in beauty; two cymbals in a dance.
This expression is used to describe a situation where excessive decoration or unnecessary additions are made to something that is already complete or simple, often leading to a lack of harmony or practical use. It highlights that adding more doesn't always mean improving quality.
Said of an ugly and bad dancer.
నీ కత్తికి రెండు ప్రక్కలా పదును
ni kattiki rendu prakkala padunu
Your sword has sharpness on both sides
This expression is used to describe a person who is clever, influential, or powerful in such a way that they can manage situations to their advantage regardless of the outcome. It can also refer to someone whose words or actions are doubly effective or, in a more cautionary sense, someone who can be both helpful and dangerous.
ఈపా? వైపా?
ipa? vaipa?
This way? Or that way?
This expression is used to ask for a choice between two directions or options. It is also used colloquially to ask someone to make up their mind or to indicate confusion about which path to follow.