అత్తను అమ్ముకొమ్మంటారు, కోడలిని కొలుచుకొమ్మంటారు.

attanu ammukommantaru, kodalini koluchukommantaru.

Translation

They say to sell the mother-in-law and to measure the daughter-in-law.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the human tendency to favor the new or the younger generation over the old. It describes a situation where the mother-in-law (representing the old/worn out) is discarded or undervalued, while the daughter-in-law (representing the new/productive) is meticulously valued and welcomed. It is used to mock people's opportunistic or biased nature.

Related Phrases

What I am clinging to is a Tamarind bough, not a Mulaga. The tamarind wood is pliable, but the Mulaga ( Hyperanthera Moringa ) is brittle. Said by a parasite of his staunch protector.

This expression is used to describe someone who is firm, reliable, and strong. A tamarind branch is known for its extreme flexibility and strength (it doesn't break easily), whereas a drumstick branch is very brittle and snaps quickly. It is used to compliment someone's resilience or to indicate that a task or person is more formidable than they appear.

When told to keep quiet, he reportedly hanged himself.

This proverb is used to describe a person who overreacts excessively to a small suggestion or a minor reprimand. It highlights the absurdity of taking extreme, self-destructive measures when asked to do something simple or trivial.

Perhaps they'll ask you to dine with Timmanna.

This expression is used sarcastically or humorously when someone receives an unexpected or formal invitation to a place where they expect to be treated with great respect or served a grand meal. It is often used to describe situations where one anticipates being the center of attention or expects a reward for their presence.

Timmanna is a jocose term for a monkey. The boisterous fun at the time of investing a Brahmachâr with the sacerdotal thread is called in joke Timmannabanti, the monkey feast.

When [ a child ] was told not to follow, it asked to be carried.

This proverb is used to describe a person who, when given a simple instruction or boundary, makes even more demanding and unreasonable requests. It highlights stubbornness or the tendency of someone to take undue advantage of a situation when they are already being a nuisance.

Asking much when denied a little. 44 ( 345 )

If you can't get a head for the family get a sheep's head.

This proverb emphasizes the necessity of having someone in charge, even if they aren't the most qualified. It suggests that a group or organization cannot function without a head or leader (pedda tala), and in the absence of a wise elder, even a mediocre or symbolic leader is better than having no leadership at all to maintain order.

Better than nothing. When you can't get bread, oat cakes are not amiss. ( Spanish. )*

Whatever one touches becomes gold

This expression is used to describe a person who is currently experiencing a period of extreme good luck or success. Every venture they undertake or every decision they make leads to a positive outcome, similar to the legend of King Midas.

Like cutting the very branch you are holding onto

This expression is used to describe a self-destructive action where a person undermines or destroys their own source of support, security, or livelihood. It refers to someone who, out of foolishness or short-sightedness, harms the person or entity they rely on most.

Shiny on the outside, hollow on the inside

This expression describes something that looks attractive, grand, or high-quality on the surface but is actually empty, defective, or worthless inside. It is used to point out hypocrisy, superficial beauty, or deceptive appearances.

What was grabbed is a tamarind branch, not a drumstick (moringa) branch.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is stubborn or persistent in their stance. Tamarind branches are strong and flexible, making them hard to break, whereas drumstick branches are brittle and break easily. It implies that the person has taken a firm hold of a situation or opinion and will not let go or be easily defeated.

An old branch will not bend, an old branch will not bear fruit.

This proverb emphasizes that it is difficult to change one's habits, learn new skills, or be productive in a specific way once they have reached a certain age or stage in life. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.' It suggests that discipline and learning should happen while one is young and flexible.