అయినవాళ్ళను అవతలకు నెట్టి, కానివాళ్ళ కాళ్ళు పట్టుకొన్నట్లు.
ayinavallanu avatalaku netti, kanivalla kallu pattukonnatlu.
Pushing away your own people and holding the feet of strangers.
This proverb describes a person who neglects or mistreats their loyal family members and friends while seeking favors or trying to please strangers and outsiders who do not truly care for them. It is used to criticize someone's poor judgment in prioritizing relationships.
Related Phrases
బయట తన్ని ఇంట్లో కాళ్లు పట్టుకున్నట్టు
bayata tanni intlo kallu pattukunnattu
Kicking [a man ] when out of doors and falling at his feet in the house. Disgracing him in public and cringing to him in private.
This expression describes a hypocritical or manipulative behavior where someone insults or harms a person in public (or treats them poorly elsewhere) and then tries to act humble or seek forgiveness in private. It refers to a person who tries to cover up their public misdeeds with private apologies or subservience.
చేతులు కాలిన తర్వాత ఆకులు పట్టుకున్నట్లు
chetulu kalina tarvata akulu pattukunnatlu
Like trying to hold onto leaves after the hands are burnt.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes precautions or looks for a solution after the damage is already done. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or 'crying over spilled milk.' It emphasizes that actions taken too late are futile.
అత్తవల్ల దొంగతనమున్ను, మగనివల్ల రంకున్ను నేర్చుకొన్నట్టు
attavalla dongatanamunnu, maganivalla rankunnu nerchukonnattu
Deceitfulness is learnt from a mother-in-law, adultery is learnt from a husband. Jealous watching leads to unfaithfulness. At the gate where suspicion enters, love goes out. If the wife sins, the husband is not innocent. (Italian.)
This proverb describes a situation where the very people who are supposed to protect and guide someone are the ones teaching them bad habits or corruption. It is used when a person picks up vices from their own guardians or authorities.
మోపూరువాళ్ళ మొగుళ్ళు చస్తే, తలమంచివాళ్ళు తాళ్ళు తెంచుకొన్నట్లు
mopuruvalla mogullu chaste, talamanchivallu tallu tenchukonnatlu
When the husbands of Mopuru people died, the people of Talamanchi broke their wedding threads.
This proverb describes a situation where someone reacts unnecessarily or excessively to a situation that does not involve them or doesn't affect them directly. It is used to mock people who mimic others' grief or actions without any logical reason or personal connection.
నీళ్ళలో నిప్పు పెట్టి, కాలలేదని కడుపు కొట్టుకున్నట్టు
nillalo nippu petti, kalaledani kadupu kottukunnattu
Setting fire to water and then beating one's stomach (in grief) because it didn't burn.
This expression describes a person who attempts a completely impossible or illogical task and then laments or complains when it inevitably fails. It is used to mock someone's foolishness, unrealistic expectations, or their habit of blaming fate for failures caused by their own lack of common sense.
బట్టతలకు పేలు పట్టినట్లు
battatalaku pelu pattinatlu
Like lice infestation on a bald head
This expression is used to describe a situation that is impossible, illogical, or a blatant lie. Just as lice cannot live on a bald head because there is no hair to cling to, the phrase refers to claims or events that lack any basis in reality or common sense.
పంచినవాళ్ళకు పళ్ళు నోరు
panchinavallaku pallu noru
To those who distribute, the teeth and mouth.
This proverb describes a situation where a person in charge of distributing resources or food manages to take a portion for themselves first, or benefits the most from the distribution process. It is often used to refer to minor perks or 'leakages' that occur when someone handles wealth or goods.
బయట తన్ని ఇంట్లో కాళ్ళు పట్టుకొన్నట్లు
bayata tanni intlo kallu pattukonnatlu
Like kicking someone outside and then holding their feet inside the house
This expression describes a person's hypocritical or cowardly behavior where they behave aggressively or disrespectfully in public, but act submissive or apologetic in private. It refers to a situation where someone harms another person and later tries to please them for selfish reasons or out of fear.
గతిలేనివాడు గాడిదకాళ్ళు పట్టుకొన్నట్లు
gatilenivadu gadidakallu pattukonnatlu
Like a helpless man clutching the legs of a donkey.
This expression is used to describe a person who, in a state of absolute desperation or helplessness, seeks assistance from someone completely insignificant, unworthy, or incapable of helping. It highlights the irony and humiliation of being forced to rely on the lowest possible means when one has no other choice.
అయినవాళ్ళకు ఆకులలోను, కానివాళ్ళకు కంచాలలోను
ayinavallaku akulalonu, kanivallaku kanchalalonu
Serving loved ones on leaves and strangers on plates.
This proverb describes unfair partiality or double standards. Paradoxically, the 'outsiders' or those one wants to impress are given better treatment (plates), while one's own family or close associates are neglected or given lower priority (leaves), despite their loyalty.