అల్లుడికి పెట్టిన పెట్టు కొడుకు పెట్టి కోలుపోయిందట

alludiki pettina pettu koduku petti kolupoyindata

Translation

Investing in the son-in-law led to the loss of the investment intended for the son.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes an outsider or a distant relative over their own family, only to end up losing everything. It highlights the folly of misplaced priorities and the resulting regret when a primary responsibility is neglected for a secondary one.

Related Phrases

She grudgingly gave to her son the food prepared for her son-in-law. The affection of a mother-in-law for her son-in-law.

This expression refers to someone who makes a mistake out of haste or emotional confusion and then regrets it intensely. It describes the irony of a person performing an action that is technically beneficial to their own family (feeding the son) while feeling guilty for neglecting a social obligation or a guest (the son-in-law).

While the father gave to the Dasaris, the mother gave to the Jangams.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a husband and wife (or two people in charge) are both overly generous or spendthrift in different ways, leading to the depletion of their resources. It highlights a lack of coordination or mutual recklessness in managing household wealth or assets.

Lime put on a wall, money given to a harlot. No return.

This proverb describes a situation where resources (money or effort) are spent with no possibility of recovery or return. Just as you cannot retrieve whitewash once it is applied to a wall, money spent on fleeting, unproductive pleasures or given to unreliable people is gone forever. It is used to warn someone about wasteful expenditure.

Like breaking into the house of the person who fed you.

This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.

If a son is served the same way a son-in-law is served, the house will become hollow/bankrupt.

In Telugu culture, sons-in-law are traditionally treated as honored guests with lavish meals and extra care. This proverb humorously points out that such extravagance is unsustainable for everyday family members. It is used to caution against excessive spending or over-pampering someone within the household to the point of financial ruin.

If you give a louse authority, it will bite the entire head off.

This proverb describes a situation where an undeserving, petty, or small-minded person is given power or authority, and they end up abusing it to cause significant damage or nuisance. It is used to caution against putting incompetent or mean-spirited people in charge.

If you give authority to a dog, it will bite all the sandals.

This proverb is used to describe the consequences of giving power or responsibility to an incompetent, unworthy, or foolish person. Instead of performing the duties properly, such a person will only cause destruction or focus on their base instincts, similar to how a dog given authority over a house would simply ruin the footwear.

When kicked after being tied with a rope, it feels like being measured for an official position.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is so optimistic, naive, or desperate that they misinterpret ill-treatment or abuse as an honor or a benefit. It highlights a lack of self-respect or a delusional perspective on a negative situation.

Giving to an old woman and giving to a childless widow is the same.

This expression is used to describe an investment or a favor that yields no return or future benefit. In a traditional social context, it implies that providing for those who cannot reproduce or contribute back to the lineage is a dead-end expenditure.

Will the one who gave the mouth not provide the fodder?

This is a popular Telugu proverb used to express faith in divine providence or nature. It implies that the creator who gave life to a creature will also provide the necessary means for its sustenance. It is often said to reassure someone who is worried about their future or survival, suggesting that basic needs will inevitably be met.