అత్తా అత్తా ఎప్పుడు నిద్రపోతావంటే నిన్ను చంపిపోతా అందట

atta atta eppudu nidrapotavante ninnu champipota andata

Translation

When asked 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, when will you go to sleep?', she replied 'I will go after killing you'.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone is waiting for an opportunity or for someone to leave/relax, but the other person is so stubborn or hostile that they refuse to give in or intend to cause harm before they yield. It is used to illustrate deep-seated animosity or someone being extremely difficult to deal with.

Related Phrases

If I say 'Amudu', he says 'Temudu'; if I say 'Mother-in-law', he says 'Father-in-law'.

This proverb describes a person who is intentionally argumentative or contradictory. It is used to mock someone who habitually gives opposite or nonsensical replies to whatever is said, making communication impossible.

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.

If seen, it is yours; if not seen, it is mine

This expression refers to someone who is being dishonest or opportunistic. It describes a situation where a person tries to steal or misappropriate something and only admits to it if they are caught; otherwise, they treat it as their own. It is used to highlight hypocrisy or lack of integrity.

Are you going for the festival ( lit. holy days ) or for the feast ?

This expression is used to question someone's true motives or priorities. It highlights a situation where a person claims to be attending an event for its primary purpose (like a religious festival) but is actually more interested in secondary benefits or personal gains (like the free food).

If you nurture me, I will drown you.

This expression refers to a situation where a person helps or supports someone who eventually turns against them or becomes the cause of their downfall. It is often used to describe ungrateful people or dangerous situations where the beneficiary becomes a threat to the benefactor, similar to the concept of 'nurturing a snake'.

When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'

This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.

If you look after me, I will protect you.

This is a popular Telugu saying often used in the context of money or savings (Dhanam). It suggests that if you manage your resources wisely and take care of your wealth, it will in turn protect you during difficult times or when you are in need.

What will you bring when you come? What will you give when you go?

This proverb describes a person who is extremely selfish and greedy. It is used to mock someone who only thinks about their own gain in every situation—expecting a gift or favor when others visit them, and refusing to leave anything behind or share when they visit others.

When asked 'What's the status, Kota?', he replied 'The same old game'.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that never changes despite the passage of time or changing circumstances. It signifies stagnation, a lack of progress, or someone sticking to their old, often repetitive or unproductive ways.

When the mother-in-law was asked to lift the pestle, she said let the New Moon day come.

This proverb describes a person who uses irrelevant excuses to procrastinate or avoid doing a simple task. It highlights the tendency of lazy or unwilling people to wait for an 'auspicious' or 'specific' time to perform even the most basic chores that have no connection to such timing.