అందితే జుట్టు, అందకపోతే కాళ్లు
andite juttu, andakapote kallu
If it's within reach, grab the hair; if not, grab the feet.
This proverb describes a person who is highly opportunistic and inconsistent. It refers to someone who acts arrogant or tries to dominate when they have the upper hand (grabbing the hair), but becomes extremely submissive or begs for mercy when they are in a weak position (falling at the feet).
Related Phrases
చిన్న పుల్లయినా పల్లు గీచుకోవడానికి పనికివస్తుంది
chinna pullayina pallu gichukovadaniki panikivastundi
Even a small twig is useful for picking teeth.
This proverb conveys that nothing in the world is useless and every small thing has its own value or purpose. It is used to caution against dismissing someone or something as insignificant based on their size or status.
పండినా ఎండినా పన్ను తప్పదు
pandina endina pannu tappadu
Whether the crop yields or withers, the tax is inevitable.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one's obligations, debts, or taxes must be paid regardless of their personal circumstances or success. It highlights the rigid and often unforgiving nature of certain systems or responsibilities.
ఇందమ్మా తియ్యకూర అంటే ఇందమ్మ పుల్లకూర అన్నట్లు
indamma tiyyakura ante indamma pullakura annatlu
When asked for sweet curry, being offered sour curry instead.
This expression describes a situation where someone gives a response or an item that is exactly the opposite of what was requested. It highlights a lack of understanding, intentional stubbornness, or a total mismatch in communication between two people.
ఎండిన ఊళ్ళకు ఎవడు దిక్కు? వండిన ఊళ్ళకు అందరూ ప్రభువులే.
endina ullaku evadu dikku? vandina ullaku andaru prabhuvule.
Who is the protector for parched villages? For prosperous (cooked) villages, everyone acts as a lord.
This proverb highlights human nature and opportunism. It means that when a person or a place is in distress or poverty, no one comes forward to help or take responsibility. However, when there is wealth, prosperity, or success, many people swarm around to claim authority, friendship, or leadership.
కమ్మని రోగాలు, తియ్యని మందులు
kammani rogalu, tiyyani mandulu
Delicious diseases, sweet medicines
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is overly pampered or spoiled. It refers to a state where even the problems (diseases) are pleasant or luxurious, and the solutions (medicines) are sweet, implying that the individual is living in such comfort that they lack any real hardship or discipline.
అందని ద్రాక్ష పళ్ళు పుల్లన
andani draksha pallu pullana
Grapes that cannot be reached are sour.
This expression is used when someone pretends to despise or belittle something they want but cannot achieve or obtain. It is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Sour Grapes' idiom from Aesop's Fables, describing a defensive mechanism where one disparages an unattainable goal to save face.
పారవేసిన విస్తరాకు పండగనాడు పనికివచ్చినట్లు
paravesina vistaraku pandaganadu panikivachchinatlu
Like a discarded leaf plate becoming useful on a festival day.
This expression describes a situation where something or someone previously considered useless or neglected suddenly becomes valuable or essential due to specific circumstances. It is often used to highlight a stroke of luck or the unexpected utility of a discarded object/person.
తిమ్మన్న బంతికి తియ్యని చారు అన్నము
timmanna bantiki tiyyani charu annamu
Sweet rasam rice for Thimmanna's feast.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely satisfied with something very simple or mediocre, often because they have low expectations or are easily pleased. It can also imply a modest gathering where simple food is enjoyed thoroughly.
అత్త మెత్తన, వేము తియ్యన లేవు.
atta mettana, vemu tiyyana levu.
A soft mother-in-law and a sweet neem leaf do not exist.
This proverb highlights the traditional, often difficult relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. It suggests that just as the neem leaf is inherently bitter, a mother-in-law is inherently stern or demanding. It is used to describe situations where something is naturally harsh or impossible to find in a gentle form.
చెరుకు తియ్యనని వేళ్ళతో కూడా తిన్నట్లు
cheruku tiyyanani vellato kuda tinnatlu
Like eating the sugarcane along with its roots just because it is sweet.
This proverb describes greed or over-exploitation. It is used to caution someone who, out of liking or benefit, tries to consume or exhaust a resource completely without leaving anything for sustenance or the future, eventually ruining the source itself.