బడాయికోరు బచ్చే, కూటికి లేక చచ్చె
badayikoru bachche, kutiki leka chachche
A boastful fellow died because he had no food to eat.
This proverb is used to describe someone who shows off a high status or wealth through grand words and arrogance, while in reality, they are struggling with basic necessities or are in a pathetic state. It highlights the irony of maintaining a false, boastful image despite extreme poverty or failure.
Related Phrases
చచ్చినా పయికం తప్పదచ్చమ్మ యిక తిట్టకు
chachchina payikam tappadachchamma yika tittaku
Though you die the money must be forthcoming—O Achchamma! Don't abuse me any more. A Brahman after eating is bound by the ceremonial law to repeat the following : అమృతాపిధానమసి। రారవే పుణ్యనిలయే పద్మార్బుదనివాసినాం। అర్థినాముదకం దత్తమక్షయ్యముపతిష్ఠతు॥ O Amrita! thou art a covering. May the water given to the hundreds and thousands of [thirsty] askers in hell, the habitation of the wicked, endure without diminution. The above is a parody, the allusion being to a hard-hearted creditor and hypocritical formalist.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a debt, obligation, or tax is unavoidable even in death or extreme hardship. It highlights the persistence of financial liabilities or unavoidable duties regardless of one's plight, often used in a sarcastic or resigned tone when someone is being harassed for payment.
కుక్క ఎక్కలేక కాదు చచ్చేది, పెరుక్కోలేక.
kukka ekkaleka kadu chachchedi, perukkoleka.
A dog does not die because it cannot climb, but because it cannot pull itself up.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is unable to overcome a difficulty not due to a lack of effort or initial progress, but because they are stuck at a specific point and cannot find the leverage or means to complete the task. It often refers to being trapped in a predicament where one's own limitations or specific circumstances prevent a resolution.
బందరు బడాయి, గుంటూరు లడాయి
bandaru badayi, gunturu ladayi
Bandar's boastfulness, Guntur's pugnacity
This proverb characterizes the cultural traits traditionally associated with two Andhra cities: Bandar (Machilipatnam) and Guntur. It suggests that people from Bandar are known for their grand talk, style, or vanity (badayi), whereas people from Guntur are known for their hot-tempered, confrontational, or argumentative nature (ladayi). It is used to humorously generalize the temperaments of individuals based on their origin from these regions.
బడాయికి బచ్చలకూర, తినకపోతే తోటకూర
badayiki bachchalakura, tinakapote totakura
Malabar spinach for show, and Amaranth if one can't eat it.
This proverb describes a person who boasts or maintains high appearances (symbolized by the slightly more 'sophisticated' Malabar spinach) despite their actual circumstances being humble or common (represented by the everyday Amaranth). It is used to mock people who act superior but live ordinary lives, or those who pretend to be picky about things they cannot afford.
సమయానికి లేని బావ చచ్చినా ఒకటి, బతికినా ఒకటి
samayaniki leni bava chachchina okati, batikina okati
A brother-in-law who is not there when needed is the same whether he is dead or alive.
This proverb is used to describe someone who fails to offer help during a critical time or a crisis. It implies that if a person (especially a relative who is expected to support you) is unavailable when most needed, their existence or relationship becomes irrelevant to the sufferer.
బడాయికి బావగారు చస్తే, ఈడ్వలేక ఇంటివారందరు చచ్చారు
badayiki bavagaru chaste, idvaleka intivarandaru chachcharu
When the brother-in-law died for the sake of showing off, the whole family died being unable to carry him.
This proverb is used to criticize people who do things beyond their capacity or means just to maintain social status or to show off to others. It describes a situation where a pretentious decision made by one person creates an unbearable burden for everyone else involved.
బడాయి బచ్చన్న కూడులేక చచ్చెనట
badayi bachchanna kuduleka chachchenata
Boastful Bachanna supposedly died because he had no food.
This proverb is used to describe a person who puts on a grand show of wealth or status to impress others while suffering in extreme poverty or lacking basic necessities behind the scenes. It mocks the irony of prioritizing false prestige over survival.
కూటికి లేకున్నా కాటుక చుక్క మానదు
kutiki lekunna katuka chukka manadu
Even if there is no food to eat, the application of eye-liner (kajal) does not stop.
This proverb describes a person who prioritizes vanity, appearances, or superficial habits over basic necessities and survival. It is used to critique someone who is struggling financially but refuses to give up their expensive hobbies, makeup, or luxury lifestyle.
బడాయి బచ్చలికూరకు ధడా చింతపండు
badayi bachchalikuraku dhada chintapandu
A mound of tamarind for a boastful Malabar spinach dish.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone spends excessively or makes an exaggerated effort for something that is actually very trivial or of little value. Since Malabar spinach (Bachali kura) is simple and easy to cook, using a 'Dhada' (a large unit of weight, roughly 5-10kg) of tamarind for it is an absurd over-investment driven by vanity or a desire to show off.
వచ్చిన వాడు చచ్చినా పోదు.
vachchina vadu chachchina podu.
Calumny is not removed even by death.
This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.
Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.