అయ్యనీటు అడుగతీరదు, అమ్మ పోయి దమ్మాయపాళెంలో దంచుకొని తాగుతోంది.
ayyanitu adugatiradu, amma poyi dammayapalemlo danchukoni tagutondi.
The father's sophistication is beyond measure, while the mother is out in Dammayapalem, pounding grain to earn a drink.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be very rich, sophisticated, or high-status (the 'Ayaa') while their family members or the reality of their situation is one of extreme poverty or manual labor (the 'Amma'). It highlights the gap between false prestige and harsh reality.
Related Phrases
చేసిన పాపం గోచిలో పెట్టుకొని కాశీకిపోయినా తీరదు, కాటికిపోయినా తీరదు
chesina papam gochilo pettukoni kashikipoyina tiradu, katikipoyina tiradu
Even if you carry your sins in your loincloth and go to Kashi, or even to the cremation ground, they will not be washed away.
This proverb emphasizes that one cannot escape the consequences of their bad deeds through religious pilgrimages or external rituals. It teaches that intentional sins cannot be hidden or absolved simply by visiting holy places like Kashi or until one's death; the karma of one's actions will inevitably follow them.
ఊరు పొమ్మంటున్నది, కాడు రమ్మంటున్నది.
uru pommantunnadi, kadu rammantunnadi.
The village tells you to leave, the graveyard tells you to come.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is very old and near the end of their life. It signifies that their time in the world of the living (the village) is over, and they are ready for the afterlife or burial ground (the graveyard).
పిల్లి కళ్లు మూసుకుని పాలు తాగుతూ ఎవరూ చూడడం లేదని అనుకున్నట్లు.
pilli kallu musukuni palu tagutu evaru chudadam ledani anukunnatlu.
Like a cat shutting her eyes, and fancying that no one could see her drinking the milk. A man fancying that he is unseen when committing some crime. The forest has ears, the field has eyes. (German.)
This proverb refers to people who commit wrongdoings or deceptive acts thinking they are being clever or secretive, while in reality, their actions are obvious to everyone else. It is used to mock self-deception and the foolish belief that one can hide the truth by simply ignoring it.
అయ్య నీటు అడిగితీరదు, అమ్మ దమ్మయపాలెంలో దంచుకొని తాగుతున్నది
ayya nitu adigitiradu, amma dammayapalemlo danchukoni tagutunnadi
The foppish husband gives himself great airs, while his wife is living by pounding rice in Dammayapâlem.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person maintains an air of false prestige or luxury (the father), while their family members are struggling with hard labor just to survive (the mother). It highlights hypocrisy, misplaced priorities, or vanity in the face of poverty.
ఉప్పు లేదు, కారం లేదు, అమ్మతోడు కమ్మగుంది.
uppu ledu, karam ledu, ammatodu kammagundi.
No salt, no spice, but by mother, it tastes delicious.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being overly polite or flattering even when something is clearly lacking or of poor quality. It highlights a sarcastic or ironic praise for something that is bland or mediocre, often used to mock someone who is trying to please others despite the obvious flaws in the situation.
స్వర్గంలో శనికి భయపడి అరణ్యంలో దాక్కున్నట్టు
svargamlo shaniki bhayapadi aranyamlo dakkunnattu
Like hiding in a forest out of fear of Saturn in heaven.
This proverb describes a situation where a person tries to escape a problem or bad luck, only to find themselves in an even more difficult or harsh environment. It is used when someone's attempts to avoid misfortune lead them to a worse predicament, highlighting that one cannot outrun destiny or that the remedy chosen is worse than the original situation.
పిల్లి కళ్లు మూసుకుని పాలు తాగుతూ తననెవరూ చూడటం లేదనుకున్నట్లు
pilli kallu musukuni palu tagutu tananevaru chudatam ledanukunnatlu
Like a cat closing its eyes while drinking milk and thinking no one is watching it.
This proverb is used to describe someone who performs a wrongful or secretive act while foolishly believing that they are hiding it from the world. It highlights self-deception and the false sense of security people feel when they ignore the obvious reality that others can see their actions.
నా దయతో నీ గంజి త్రాగు అన్నట్లు
na dayato ni ganji tragu annatlu
Saying 'Drink your own porridge by my grace'
This expression describes a situation where someone acts as if they are doing a great favor or showing generosity, when in reality, they are only giving the other person what already belongs to them or what they have earned through their own hard work. It highlights arrogance and false charity.
అమ్మవారి మొక్కు తీరదు, ఆడబిడ్డ అప్పు తీరదు.
ammavari mokku tiradu, adabidda appu tiradu.
The vow to the Goddess is never fully finished; the debt to a sister is never fully repaid.
This proverb highlights the endless nature of certain obligations. Just as one continues to make offerings to the Goddess throughout life, one's responsibilities and gifts toward a sister (or daughter) in a traditional family setup are perpetual and can never be considered 'settled' or 'paid off' completely.
అమ్మ తానూ పెట్టదు, అడుక్కు తిననివ్వదు
amma tanu pettadu, adukku tinanivvadu
The mother neither gives food herself [to her child,] nor allows it to beg.
This proverb describes a dog-in-the-manger situation or a person who acts as a hindrance. It is used to describe someone who refuses to help you themselves, but also prevents you from seeking help or finding alternatives elsewhere, effectively leaving you helpless.