అట్లు వండే ఆవిడకు ఆరుగురు అమర్చవలెను
atlu vande avidaku aruguru amarchavalenu
A Hopper-woman requiring six people to assist her. " Hopper" is a kind of cake ( Tamil அப்பம் ). Said of a person giving himself airs.
This proverb highlights tasks that are labor-intensive and require more help than the final output suggests. Making traditional dosas (atlu) is a slow process where the person cooking cannot leave the stove, thus needing others to bring batter, fetch water, serve, clean, and manage other tasks simultaneously.
Related Phrases
అట్లు వండినమ్మకు ఆరుళ్లు అరమరలు ఉండకూడదు.
atlu vandinammaku arullu aramaralu undakudadu.
A woman who cooks pancakes should not have any secrets or hesitation.
This proverb is used to emphasize that when someone is doing a job that involves sharing or serving others, they should be transparent, generous, and free of bias. Just as someone making 'atlu' (dosas) must serve them openly and fairly to everyone waiting, any leader or provider should act without hidden motives or discrimination.
కన్న తల్లికయినా కనుమరుగుండవలెను
kanna tallikayina kanumarugundavalenu
Some things must be hidden even from the mother that bore you.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of maintaining certain boundaries, privacy, or modesty even with those closest to us. It suggests that complete exposure or lack of restraint, even in the most intimate relationships, can lead to a loss of respect or dignity.
* Ἀπέφαλος μῦθος.
అట్లు పోసే ఆమెకు ఆరుగురు అందివ్వాలట
atlu pose ameku aruguru andivvalata
For the woman making dosas, six people supposedly need to serve her ingredients.
This proverb is used to mock people who demand an excessive amount of help or resources to perform a very simple, minor task. It highlights inefficiency and laziness.
ఏ ఎండకు ఆ గొడుగు పట్టవలెను.
e endaku a godugu pattavalenu.
The umbrella must suit the hour of the day.
This proverb describes opportunism or adaptability. It suggests that one should change their stance, behavior, or plans based on the prevailing circumstances or the direction of the 'wind' to ensure their own benefit or survival. It is often used to describe people who align themselves with whoever is currently in power.
Suitable to the occasion.
కండ్లు ఆర్చినమ్మ ఇండ్లు ఆర్చినది
kandlu archinamma indlu archinadi
The winking woman ruined families. A pun on the word Ârqu.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely clever, manipulative, or deceitful. It implies that someone can cause significant destruction or ruin families and homes just with a subtle gesture or a 'blink of an eye' while appearing innocent.
పట్టి చావలేం, బందె ముచ్చవలేం
patti chavalem, bande muchchavalem
We can neither die by catching it, nor can we die in the trap.
This expression describes a situation where one is stuck in a dilemma or an 'in-between' state where they cannot find a way out or a resolution. It is used when a person is frustrated because they can neither commit to a difficult task nor abandon it completely, often feeling trapped by circumstances.
కానివాని కొంప కాచి చెరచవలెను.
kanivani kompa kachi cherachavalenu.
One must watch and ruin an enemy. Wait time and place to take your revenge, for it is never done well in a hurry. ( Italian. )
This expression suggests that if you want to defeat or ruin a wicked person or an enemy, you should not act impulsively. Instead, one must wait patiently for the opportune moment or a point of vulnerability to ensure the downfall is complete.
అన్నీ అమర్చిన తరువాత అత్తగారు వేలు పెట్టినట్లు.
anni amarchina taruvata attagaru velu pettinatlu.
Like the mother-in-law sticking her finger in after everything has been arranged.
This expression is used to describe someone who finds unnecessary faults or makes minor, annoying changes to something that is already perfect or complete. It highlights a tendency to interfere or nitpick just to assert authority or feel important, even when no help is needed.
అట్లు వండే అత్తకు అరవై ఆరు ఎత్తులు
atlu vande attaku aravai aru ettulu
Like sixty-six tricks played against a mother-in-law who is making pancakes.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to outsmart or deceive a person who is already very experienced, clever, or cunning in their own right. It signifies meeting an expert with even more complex maneuvers or excessive strategies.
అవ్వా కావాలి, బువ్వా కావాలి
avva kavali, buvva kavali
I want grand-mother and I want food. Said by a child who did not wish to leave its grand-mother, but who had to do so to get its dinner. You cannot drink and whistle at the same time. (Danish.)
This proverb describes a situation where someone wants to have their cake and eat it too. It is used when a person tries to hold onto two mutually exclusive options or wants all the benefits of a situation without making any sacrifices or choices.
* Man kan ikke drikke og pibe paa eengang.