అంతనాడు లేదు, ఇంతనాడు లేదు, సంతనాడు పెట్టింది ముంతంత కొప్పు
antanadu ledu, intanadu ledu, santanadu pettindi muntanta koppu
Not on that day, not on this day, but on the market day she tied a bun as big as a pot.
This proverb describes a person who remains idle or neglected for a long time but chooses the most busy or inappropriate moment to show off or act. It is used to mock someone who exhibits excessive vanity or performs a task with exaggerated effort only when there is an audience or when it is inconvenient for others.
Related Phrases
అత్తా అత్తా కొడుకును కంటానంటే, వద్దంటానా అందట
atta atta kodukunu kantanante, vaddantana andata
When a daughter-in-law asked her mother-in-law if she should give birth to a son, the mother-in-law replied, 'Would I ever say no?'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for permission or proposes something that is obviously beneficial or desirable to the listener. It highlights a rhetorical question where the answer is an emphatic 'yes' because the outcome favors everyone involved.
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
చదువూలేదు, సంధ్యాలేదు, సంతానం మాత్రం మెండు.
chaduvuledu, sandhyaledu, santanam matram mendu.
No education, no prayers, but offspring in abundance.
This proverb is used to mock someone who lacks knowledge, discipline, or productive skills but is highly successful at reproducing or multiplying problems. It highlights a lack of responsibility or intellectual pursuit while focusing only on basic biological or unproductive aspects of life.
చదువూ లేదు, సంధ్యా లేదు, సంతానం మెండు.
chaduvu ledu, sandhya ledu, santanam mendu.
[He has] no learning and [says] no prayers but [has] nuiserous issue. Said of an ignorant, irreligious, sensual man.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks education, culture, or professional discipline, yet excels in producing children or multiplying problems without the means to support them. It highlights a lack of responsibility or foresight in one's lifestyle.
అయ్యవారంతంత, అయ్యవారి పెండ్లాము ముంతంత.
ayyavarantanta, ayyavari pendlamu muntanta.
The master is only this much, and the master's wife is as small as a pot.
This proverb is used to describe a couple or a pair of things where both are equally insignificant, small, or mediocre. It is often used humorously or mockingly to point out that neither person in a partnership has any superior quality or stature over the other.
కొడుకుల్ని కంటానత్తమ్మా అంటే వద్దంటానా కోడలమ్మా అందట
kodukulni kantanattamma ante vaddantana kodalamma andata
When the daughter-in-law said 'Mother-in-law, I will give birth to sons', the mother-in-law replied 'Would I ever say no to that, dear?'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers to do something that is universally beneficial or obviously desirable. It highlights that no one would object to a proposal that brings only positive results or fulfills a common goal. It is often used sarcastically when someone states an obvious intention to do something good as if they are asking for permission.
కుచేల సంతానం
kuchela santanam
The progeny of Kuchela
This expression is used to describe a very large number of children in a single family. It refers to the mythological figure Kuchela (Sudama), a childhood friend of Lord Krishna, who was famously poor and lived with his wife and twenty-seven children.
అమావాస్యనాడు అట్టు పెట్టలేదు, పున్నమినాడు బూరె పెట్టలేదు
amavasyanadu attu pettaledu, punnaminadu bure pettaledu
No dosa on the new moon day, and no sweet dumpling on the full moon day.
This expression describes a situation where someone fails to perform their duties or provide basic necessities even on significant or auspicious occasions. It is used to mock someone who is extremely stingy, negligent, or inconsistent in their hospitality and responsibilities.
అంతా తెలిసినవాడూ లేడు, ఏమీ తెలియనివాడూ లేడు.
anta telisinavadu ledu, emi teliyanivadu ledu.
There is no one who knows everything, and there is no one who knows nothing.
This proverb emphasizes that knowledge is vast and no single person can claim absolute mastery over all subjects. Similarly, every person, no matter how uneducated or simple, possesses some form of unique knowledge or skill. It is used to promote humility among the learned and respect for everyone's inherent wisdom.
ఒకనాడు విందు, ఒకనాడు మందు
okanadu vindu, okanadu mandu
One day a feast, one day medicine.
This expression highlights the consequence of overindulgence. It suggests that if you indulge in a lavish feast or overeat today, you will likely end up taking medicine for health issues tomorrow. It serves as a warning for moderation in eating habits.
One day favor, one day disfavor. To-day in finery, to-morrow in filth. (German.)