అందీతే సిగ అందక పోతే కాళ్ళు.
andite siga andaka pote kallu.
To go for the head or fall at the feet of a person to get one’s purpose served.
This is said of the opportunist who changes tactics, with the sole purpose of realising his wishes.
Related Phrases
సమయం తప్పితే కాళ్ళు, సమయం వస్తే రాళ్ళు
samayam tappite kallu, samayam vaste rallu
Feet when time is unfavorable, stones when time is favorable.
This proverb describes opportunistic behavior or hypocrisy. It refers to a person who acts humble and bows to others' feet when they are in trouble or need help, but turns arrogant and throws stones (attacks or insults) once they are in a powerful position or the situation favors them.
అడిగితే సిగ్గు, అడగకపోతే సిద్దె కట్టుపడుతుంది
adigite siggu, adagakapote sidde kattupadutundi
Asking feels shameful, but not asking results in a heavy burden (or an empty stomach).
This proverb describes a dilemma where one feels embarrassed to ask for help or their due, but staying silent leads to hardship or suffering. It is used to encourage someone to overcome their hesitation and speak up for what they need.
చీకటింటికి పోతే సిగ్గయితది అంటే, అట్లయితే సంసారమెట్లయితది?
chikatintiki pote siggayitadi ante, atlayite samsarametlayitadi?
If one says it is shy to go into a dark room, then how can a family be built?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who expresses false or unnecessary modesty regarding essential or natural activities. It implies that if one is too shy to perform basic duties or actions required for life and family, they cannot fulfill their responsibilities or progress in life.
పిడక పొగకే సిగమెక్కితే, గుగ్గిలం పొగ కెట్లూగవలె
pidaka pogake sigamekkite, guggilam poga ketlugavale
If one goes into a trance just for cow-dung smoke, how would they dance for frankincense smoke?
This proverb is used to mock someone who overreacts or shows off excessively for a small or trivial matter. It implies that if they are making such a big deal out of something minor (symbolized by the low-quality smoke of a cow-dung cake), their reaction to something significant (symbolized by the fragrant, high-quality frankincense smoke used in rituals) would be unimaginably exaggerated or unsustainable.
ముక్కు మూరెడు, సిగ బారెడు
mukku muredu, siga baredu
Nose is a cubit long, but the hair bun is a fathom long.
This expression is used to describe someone who exaggerates their appearance or qualities, or to describe an awkward/disproportionate situation. It often refers to a person who makes a mountain out of a molehill, or someone who focuses excessively on minor embellishments while the core reality is different.
అయితే ఆముదాలు, కాకపోతే కంది.
ayite amudalu, kakapote kandi.
If it happens, it's castor seeds; if not, it's pigeon peas.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is prepared for two possible outcomes, often in farming or business. Castor plants grow in low rainfall, while pigeon peas need more rain. It signifies a win-win strategy or a fallback plan where regardless of the circumstances, there will be some form of harvest or benefit.
సన్నెకల్లు లేకపోతే పెళ్ళి ఆగదు, సంధ్య వార్చకపోతే సంధ్య ఆగదు
sannekallu lekapote pelli agadu, sandhya varchakapote sandhya agadu
A wedding won't stop without a grinding stone, and sunset won't stop if one doesn't perform the evening ritual.
This proverb emphasizes that life and nature continue to move forward regardless of minor obstacles or whether an individual performs their rituals or duties. It is used to suggest that certain formalities are secondary to the larger process, and the world does not stop for anyone.
ఆకుకు అందక, పోకకు పొందక
akuku andaka, pokaku pondaka
Neither reaching the leaf, nor matching the nut
This expression describes a state of being useless or fitting nowhere. It is used when something or someone fails to meet any criteria or serve any purpose in a given situation, similar to being 'neither here nor there'. It specifically refers to the preparation of a betel leaf (paan), where an ingredient fits neither the leaf nor the areca nut.
కంది పండితే కరువు తీరును
kandi pandite karuvu tirunu
If the pigeon pea crop yields, the famine will end.
This proverb highlights the importance of the red gram (pigeon pea) crop in agrarian life. It signifies that a single successful harvest of a staple crop can alleviate long-term hardship or financial distress. It is used to express that one significant success can solve many prevailing problems.
పెడితే పెళ్లి, పెట్టకపోతే శ్రాద్ధం
pedite pelli, pettakapote shraddham
If you feast me [I shall consider it] a marriage and if not, a funeral.
This expression describes a person with a fickle or opportunistic nature who praises you when you provide them with benefits but turns hostile and curses you the moment you stop. It highlights extreme inconsistency in behavior based solely on self-interest.
Fair and foul words.