అట్టే చూస్తే అయ్యవారు కోతిలా కనపడతాడు
atte chuste ayyavaru kotila kanapadatadu
If you keep staring, the teacher starts looking like a monkey
This expression suggests that over-analyzing or scrutinizing someone (especially an authority figure) for too long will eventually lead to finding flaws or making them look ridiculous. It is used to caution against over-observation or to describe how familiarity can breed contempt/disrespect.
Related Phrases
అయ్యవారి జందెం అయ్యవారికే ముప్పు
ayyavari jandem ayyavarike muppu
The priest's own sacred thread becomes a threat to the priest himself.
This proverb describes a situation where a tool, rule, or action intended for protection or benefit ends up causing harm or trouble to the person who created or owns it. It is used when someone's own expertise or identity becomes the source of their downfall.
అరుంధతీ కనపడదు, అధ్వాన్నమూ కనపడదు, అరవై వరహాల అప్పు మాత్రము కనపడుతున్నది.
arundhati kanapadadu, adhvannamu kanapadadu, aravai varahala appu matramu kanapadutunnadi.
I can't see the star Arundhati, botheration take it! I can see nothing but a debt of sixty pagodas. Said by a man who had got over head and ears in debt for his marriage, when the priest pointed out the propitious star.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is so overwhelmed by their financial troubles or immediate material problems that they cannot focus on spirituality, beauty, or traditional rituals. 'Arundhati' refers to the star often pointed out during weddings as a symbol of virtue; here, it signifies spiritual or higher pursuits that are ignored due to the crushing weight of debt.
కల్లు తాగిన కోతిలాగా
kallu tagina kotilaga
Like a monkey that drank palm wine
This expression is used to describe someone who is behaving in an extremely hyperactive, erratic, or uncontrollable manner. It implies a state of chaotic agitation where a person is already naturally restless (like a monkey) and has been further stimulated by an intoxicant, making them impossible to manage.
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.
ముఖం చూస్తే కనపడదా మీగాళ్ల వాపు?
mukham chuste kanapadada migalla vapu?
If you look at the face, will not the dropsy in the feet be seen?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person's inner feelings, health, or distress are clearly visible through their external appearance or facial expression. It implies that one doesn't need to look deep to find the problem because the signs are obvious.
The face also shows the swelling. Said of a man whose stupidity is shown in his face. In the forehead and the eye, the lecture of the mind doth lie. The countenance is the index of the mind. (Latin.)*
అయ్యవారిని చేయబోతే కోతి అయినట్లు
ayyavarini cheyabote koti ayinatlu
Trying to make an idol of a teacher (or god), but it turned into a monkey.
This expression is used when a well-intentioned task or project goes completely wrong due to incompetence or unexpected errors, resulting in something unintended and often ridiculous. It describes a situation where an attempt to create something noble or superior ends up as a mess.
అయ్యవారిని చెయ్యబోతే కోతి అయినట్లు
ayyavarini cheyyabote koti ayinatlu
His attempt to make [an image of] Ganêśa ended in [the moulding of] a monkey. Mud images of Ganêśa are made and worshipped on the 4th day of the light fortnight in the month Bhâdrapada (August—September). A ridiculous failure.
This proverb describes a situation where one's well-intentioned efforts or ambitious plans go wrong, resulting in a ridiculous or unintended outcome. It is used when someone tries to improve something or create something great but ends up making it worse or spoiling it completely due to lack of skill or poor execution.
ముందు చూస్తే అయ్యవారి గుర్రముగా ఉన్నది, వెనక చూస్తే సాయెబు గుర్రముగా ఉన్నది.
mundu chuste ayyavari gurramuga unnadi, venaka chuste sayebu gurramuga unnadi.
Looking from the front it seems to be the Brahman's horse, looking from behind it seems to be the Śāhib's. The Kômati's evidence . The words are ambiguous and bear another meaning viz. " Before, this was the Brahman's horse—now, it is the Śāhib's" ( i. e. the Śāhib has taken possession of it ).
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is inconsistent, ambiguous, or lacks a clear identity. It refers to a situation where a single thing presents two completely different or contradictory appearances depending on how one looks at it, often implying deception or a lack of authenticity.
చూస్తే చుక్క, లేస్తే కుక్క
chuste chukka, leste kukka
A star when seen (sitting), a dog when it gets up.
This expression is used to describe someone who appears calm, beautiful, or well-behaved while stationary or silent, but turns out to be aggressive, loud, or ill-mannered once they start acting or speaking. It is often used to warn that appearances can be deceptive.
అయ్యవారు అటికంత, అయ్యవారి పెండ్లాము పుటికంత.
ayyavaru atikanta, ayyavari pendlamu putikanta.
The Brâhman is like a small pot, and his wife is like a basket. Spoken of things which do not match.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an assistant, a subordinate, or a spouse overshadows the main person in terms of presence, demands, or scale. It highlights a humorous or ironic disproportion between two closely related people or things.