అత్తమీద కోపం దుత్తమీద చూపినట్లు
attamida kopam duttamida chupinatlu
Showing anger towards the mother-in-law on the earthen pot.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes out their frustration or anger on an innocent person or an inanimate object because they cannot confront the actual person who caused the anger. It is used to highlight displaced aggression or venting on a weaker or easier target.
Related Phrases
విడవమంటే పాముకు కోపం, పట్టమంటే కప్పకు కోపం.
vidavamante pamuku kopam, pattamante kappaku kopam.
If told to let go, the snake gets angry; if told to catch, the frog gets angry.
This proverb describes a dilemma or a 'catch-22' situation where any decision made will result in someone being offended or a negative outcome. It is used when a person is stuck between two conflicting parties or choices where satisfying one inevitably displeases the other.
పాముకు బదనిక చూపినట్లు
pamuku badanika chupinatlu
Like showing a parasitic plant (Badanika) to a snake.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is instantly terrified or completely subdued by a specific threat or person. In Telugu folklore, it is believed that snakes are extremely fearful of the 'Badanika' (a type of parasitic plant) and become paralyzed or helpless when shown it. It signifies a weakness or a 'kryptonite' that brings an immediate stop to someone's aggressive behavior.
మొండికి కోపం ముక్కు మీద
mondiki kopam mukku mida
An obstinate person's anger sits on their nose
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely short-tempered or quick to get angry over trivial matters. 'Anger on the nose' signifies that the person's temper is always ready to flare up instantly without any restraint or patience.
పాముకు బదనిక చూపినట్టు.
pamuku badanika chupinattu.
Like showing Badanika to a snake.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply terrified or rendered powerless by a specific person or object. In Telugu folklore, it is believed that showing a 'Badanika' (a parasitic plant like Mistletoe) to a snake makes it immobile or frightened. It describes an effective deterrent or a person's ultimate weakness.
Badanika is the Loranthus Longiflorus ; the term is also applied gene- rally to all plants of the order. ( W. Elliot. ) It is said to be used as an antidote for snake bites.
తల్లిమీది కోపం పిల్లమీద పోతుంది.
tallimidi kopam pillamida potundi.
Anger toward the mother is taken out on the child.
This proverb describes a situation where a person redirects their frustration or anger from its original source toward someone else who is vulnerable or associated with that source. It is used to point out unfair treatment where an innocent party suffers for someone else's mistake or due to a displaced grudge.
అంగడి మీద చేతులు, అత్తమీద కన్ను.
angadi mida chetulu, attamida kannu.
Hands on the shop, eyes on the mother-in-law.
This proverb describes someone who is physically performing a task in one place (like working in a shop) but is mentally preoccupied or keeping a suspicious eye on someone else (the mother-in-law) to ensure they aren't being cheated or monitored. It is used to describe a person who lacks focus or is overly suspicious of others while working.
అత్త మీద కోపం దుత్త మీద చూపించినట్టు
atta mida kopam dutta mida chupinchinattu
Like showing anger toward the mother-in-law on the earthen pot.
This expression describes a situation where someone takes out their frustration or anger on an innocent third party or an inanimate object because they cannot confront the person who actually caused the provocation. It is similar to the concept of 'displaced aggression'.
మొగుడి మీద కోపం పొద్దు మునిగే వరకే
mogudi mida kopam poddu munige varake
Anger towards the husband lasts only until sunset.
This proverb is used to describe temporary or short-lived anger between close relations, particularly a couple. It implies that no matter how much they argue during the day, they will reconcile by nightfall. It is often used to tell others not to take a small domestic spat too seriously.
ఎలుక మీద కోపంతో ఇంటికి చిచ్చు పెట్టుకున్నట్టు
eluka mida kopanto intiki chichchu pettukunnattu
Like setting one's own house on fire out of anger toward a rat.
This proverb describes a situation where someone, driven by anger over a minor nuisance or a small problem, takes a drastic action that results in their own massive loss. It warns against overreacting and losing perspective, as the self-inflicted damage far outweighs the original problem.
పీనుగ మీద పిండాకూడు అన్నట్లు
pinuga mida pindakudu annatlu
Like eating the food offered to a corpse
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely greedy, stingy, or exploitative, particularly someone who seeks to benefit or make a profit even from a tragic or pathetic situation. It refers to taking advantage of someone else's misfortune.