అమ్మా తల్లి అంటే అప్పాలన్నీ తినేసిందట
amma talli ante appalanni tinesindata
When called 'Mother Goddess', she supposedly ate all the sweets.
This expression is used to describe someone who takes undue advantage of praise or respect. It refers to a situation where a person, being flattered or treated with excessive reverence, uses that position to fulfill their own greed or selfish interests.
Related Phrases
అయిందమ్మా పెండ్లి, అణగిందమ్మా రంది
ayindamma pendli, anagindamma randi
The wedding is over, and the worry has subsided.
This expression is used when a long-standing responsibility, burden, or major task is finally completed, leading to a sense of relief. It implies that once a major hurdle is crossed, the associated anxiety and stress naturally disappear.
అమ్మ వస్తే అన్నీ అణుగుతాయి
amma vaste anni anugutayi
When mother arrives, everything subsides.
This expression means that a mother's presence brings order, comfort, and resolution to chaos or problems. It is often used to signify that once the central authority or a nurturing figure intervenes, all troubles and noises naturally settle down.
అన్నాలన్నీ సున్నాలు, అప్పాలన్నీ కప్పాలు
annalanni sunnalu, appalanni kappalu
Let all your rice be chunam and all your cakes frogs ! A certain sage was, on account of his eccentricities, treated as a crazy fellow and not received into society. On one occasion, irritated by being refused admittance to an entertainment, he uttered the above imprecation which to the consternation of the assembled company took effect. They begged his pardon, whereupon he restored in the same miraculous manner the chunam into rice and the frogs into cakes ! The power acquired by austerities.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely ungrateful or dismissive of the food and hospitality provided to them. It suggests that despite being fed well, the person treats the main meals as nothing (zeros) and views the snacks or treats as a burden or tax (tributes) rather than a kind gesture.
ముత్యపుచిప్పలన్నిటికీ ఒక రేవు, నత్తగుల్లలన్నిటికి ఇంకొక రేవు
mutyapuchippalannitiki oka revu, nattagullalannitiki inkoka revu
One harbor for all pearl oysters, another harbor for all snail shells
This proverb emphasizes social stratification or the classification of quality. It suggests that people of high status, talent, or virtue (pearls) belong in one place, while those of lesser quality or common status (snails) belong in another. It is used to describe situations where 'likes belong with likes' or to point out that there is a distinct place for excellence versus mediocrity.
అల్లి అడిగింది, ఇల్లి ఇచ్చింది, మల్లి మాయం చేసింది
alli adigindi, illi ichchindi, malli mayam chesindi
Alli asked, Illi gave, and Malli made it disappear.
This is a humorous and rhythmic proverb used to describe a situation where a resource or item passes through several hands rapidly and vanishes before the intended purpose is served or before the original owner can benefit. It often refers to mismanagement, lack of accountability, or a chain of events where something is quickly used up or lost.
తన తల్లి చావుకన్నా పిన తల్లి చావు మేలు.
tana talli chavukanna pina talli chavu melu.
The death of an aunt is better than the death of a mother.
This proverb is used to highlight the difference in the magnitude of loss. It suggests that while any loss is unfortunate, the loss of someone closer or more essential (like a mother) is far more devastating than the loss of someone relatively less central (like a stepmother or aunt). It is often used to prioritize or compare two negative outcomes, indicating that one is comparatively more bearable than the other.
మాటలు మా తల్లి మాటలు, పెట్టు మా మారు తల్లి పెట్టు
matalu ma talli matalu, pettu ma maru talli pettu
She talks like a mother, but she feeds me like a step mother.
This expression describes a person who speaks very kindly and affectionately but fails to provide any actual help or substance. It is used to point out the hypocrisy of someone whose actions do not match their sweet words, particularly in contexts of hospitality or generosity.
Said of a step mother.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
Even a mother cannot do as much good as an onion does.
This is a popular Telugu proverb emphasizing the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the body that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the consumption of onions for well-being.
పసులముండా అంటే పట్టుతల్లీ అన్నట్టు
pasulamunda ante pattutalli annattu
When called a cattle-widow, she interpreted it as being called a golden mother.
This proverb describes a person who is so thick-skinned, delusional, or foolish that they interpret a harsh insult as a great compliment. It is used to mock someone who fails to understand criticism or remains blissfully unaware of being mocked.
దొమ్మలన్నిటిలో మిడిదొమ్మ మిండడు.
dommalannitilo mididomma mindadu.
Among all the fits, the fainting fit is the strongest.
This proverb is used to describe something that stands out as the most prominent, intense, or severe among a group of similar things. It literally refers to 'Mididomma' (a type of severe fit or epilepsy) being the most dominant among various physical ailments or fits.