బడాయి బండెడు, బట్టలు సందెడు

This expression highlights the cultural importance of the 'Bavamardi' (brother-in-law) in Telugu families. It suggests that material wealth cannot replace the joy, companionship, and dynamic social support provided by certain close familial bonds, particularly the playful and supportive relationship shared with a brother-in-law.

This proverb emphasizes that even the most valuable or powerful things require small, seemingly insignificant tools or intermediaries to be functional. In a social context, it means that even great people need the help of ordinary individuals or specific small resources to achieve a final result or to resolve a situation.

This proverb highlights the irony of human traditions where people spend extravagantly on funeral rituals and feasts for the deceased, often by borrowing money, which leaves the surviving family members in deep financial distress. It is used to criticize performative social customs that prioritize ritualistic honor over the practical welfare of the living.

This proverb is used to describe someone who shows off their power or authority only over those who are weak or unable to resist. Just as rain makes a big impact on barren alkaline soil (where it serves no productive purpose) but is insignificant elsewhere, some men display their dominance only over their wives because they cannot exert influence in the outside world.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is uncontrolled, reckless, or behaves without any restraint. Just as a breeding bull is allowed to roam freely without being tied up, it refers to someone who does as they please without following rules or social norms.

This expression is used to mock someone who brags or talks big despite lacking the financial means or the actual capability to back up their claims. It suggests that empty boasting by someone without resources is meaningless and ineffective.

This expression is used to describe a person who puts on an expensive or grand outward display of wealth and status, while in reality, they are struggling to afford even basic necessities. It mocks the act of prioritizing vanity and social status over practical needs and survival.

This proverb describes where certain entities show off their power or influence. Just as rain is most noticeable on barren alkaline soil and a laborer takes pride in their specific dwelling area, a person often displays their dominance or arrogance where they have easy authority, such as a husband over his wife in a traditional domestic context. It is used to mock those who show strength only over the vulnerable or in limited domains.

This proverb is used to describe people who boast excessively or put on great displays of grandeur despite having very humble or meager means. It highlights the disparity between one's empty talk (bragging) and their actual reality or substance.

This proverb is used to describe a person who boasts or shows off excessively (a cartload) despite having very little substance, wealth, or actual capability (a small 'gidda' measure). It highlights the irony of empty pride versus poor reality.