అల్పుడెపుడు పలుకు ఆడంబరము గాను
alpudepudu paluku adambaramu ganu
A person of low character always speaks with great pomp and show.
This expression suggests that people with little substance, knowledge, or character tend to brag and make the most noise, whereas a wise or noble person remains calm and composed. It is similar to the English proverb 'Empty vessels make the most noise'.
Related Phrases
చెవుడు చెవుడూ అంటే, తవుడు తవుడూ అంటాడు
chevudu chevudu ante, tavudu tavudu antadu
When they call out "Deaf man! Deaf man!" he answers "[ I've got ] Bran, Bran!"
This proverb is used to describe a complete lack of communication or a situation where two people are talking about entirely different things. It refers to a person who misunderstands what is being said due to a lack of attention or hearing, responding with something totally irrelevant. It is used in situations where there is no sync between a question and an answer.
The jingle of the Telugu words is similar to that of the English equivalents.
చెవుడు చెవుడూ అంటే, తవుడు తవుడూ అన్నట్లు
chevudu chevudu ante, tavudu tavudu annatlu
When one person says 'deafness, deafness', the other person says 'bran, bran'
This expression describes a situation where two people are talking at cross-purposes or failing to communicate effectively due to a misunderstanding or a lack of attention. It is used when one person's words are completely misinterpreted by another, leading to a nonsensical or irrelevant response, much like a deaf person mishearing a word and replying with something that sounds similar but has a different meaning.
చేటు కాలమైన చెరుప నల్పుడె చాలు
chetu kalamaina cherupa nalpude chalu
When the time for ruin comes, even a mean person is enough to cause destruction.
This expression suggests that during bad times, or when someone is fated for a downfall, it doesn't take a mighty force to destroy them; even a petty or insignificant person can cause their undoing. It is used to highlight how vulnerability increases during a period of misfortune.
పలుకులు బంగారము, గుణము పాలకన్నా పలుచదనము
palukulu bangaramu, gunamu palakanna paluchadanamu
Words are gold, but character is thinner than milk.
This expression describes a hypocritical person who speaks very sweet, valuable, or virtuous words (like gold) but possesses a weak, watery, or poor character (thinner than milk). It is used to warn others about individuals whose actions and true nature do not match their eloquent speech.
వసుదేవుడు వెళ్ళి గాడిద కాళ్ళు పట్టుకున్నాడట
vasudevudu velli gadida kallu pattukunnadata
It is said that Vasudeva went and held the feet of a donkey.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a highly respected, powerful, or intelligent person has to humble themselves or seek help from someone insignificant or unworthy due to desperate circumstances or to achieve a larger goal.
చిదంబర రహస్యం
chidambara rahasyam
The secret of Chidambaram
This expression refers to a deep mystery or an unsolvable secret. It originates from the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram where a curtain is pulled back to reveal an empty space (symbolizing the formless divine), often leaving observers confused. In common usage, it describes something that is intentionally kept obscure, highly complex, or a secret that remains a mystery despite efforts to understand it.
గ్రహచారం చాలకపోతే, వసుదేవుడు గాడిద కాళ్లు పట్టుకొన్నాడట!
grahacharam chalakapote, vasudevudu gadida kallu pattukonnadata!
When luck/fate is unfavorable, even Vasudeva had to hold a donkey's feet!
This expression is used to describe a situation where, due to bad luck or extreme adversity, even a person of great status or power must humble themselves and seek help from someone insignificant or unworthy. It refers to the legend where Vasudeva, to save baby Krishna, had to humble himself before a donkey to prevent it from braying and alerting guards.
వసుదేవుడు పోయి గాడిద కాళ్ళు పట్టుకున్నట్టు
vasudevudu poyi gadida kallu pattukunnattu
Like Vasudeva going and holding the feet of a donkey
This expression refers to a situation where a person of high stature or capability is forced by desperate circumstances to seek help from someone much inferior or unworthy. It originates from the story of Krishna's birth, where his father Vasudeva, in a moment of extreme crisis, had to humble himself to ensure safety. It is used to describe doing whatever is necessary, even if it feels demeaning, to overcome a difficult obstacle.
ఏ వాడ చిలుక ఆ వాడ పలుకు పలుకుతుంది
e vada chiluka a vada paluku palukutundi
The parrot of a street speaks the language of that street.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks a firm stance or individual principles, instead adapting their speech and behavior to please the people they are currently with. It can also refer to how someone's environment or upbringing heavily influences their dialect and opinions.
అల్పుడెపుడు బల్కు ఆడంబరముగాను
alpudepudu balku adambaramuganu
A mean person always speaks with great pomp.
This expression is used to describe how people with shallow knowledge or low character tend to brag and make a lot of noise, whereas wise or noble people remain humble and composed. It is similar to the English proverb 'Empty vessels make the most noise.'