బండెక్కి శివాలాడుతూ, బావగారు చూస్తారని భయపడ్డట్లు
bandekki shivaladutu, bavagaru chustarani bhayapaddatlu
Like dancing in a trance on a cart and being afraid of the brother-in-law watching.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is doing something very public, bold, or shameful, yet pretends to be shy or afraid of a specific person seeing them. It highlights the hypocrisy of being concerned about one's reputation in small matters while already being exposed in a major way.
Related Phrases
బట్టచాటు పుండు, బావగారి వైద్యం
battachatu pundu, bavagari vaidyam
A wound hidden under the clothes and a brother-in-law's treatment.
This proverb refers to a situation involving a personal or embarrassing problem that is kept hidden from the public, and is being handled by a close relative or a confidant in a secretive or potentially unqualified manner. It is used to describe matters that are kept 'within the family' to avoid social stigma, often implying that the solution might be makeshift or that the secrecy adds to the complexity of the issue.
కరడికాటు పడినవాడు కంబళిని చూసి భయపడతాడు
karadikatu padinavadu kambalini chusi bhayapadatadu
One who has been bitten by a bear is afraid even at the sight of a black blanket.
This expression describes a state of extreme trauma or caution following a bad experience. Just as a black blanket resembles the fur of a bear, a person who has suffered a specific misfortune becomes paranoid or fearful of anything that even slightly resembles the original cause of their trouble. It is similar to the English proverb 'Once bitten, twice shy'.
తన అన్నం తాను తింటూ, తన గుడ్డ తాను కట్టుతూ ఊరికి భయపడవలెనా
tana annam tanu tintu, tana gudda tanu kattutu uriki bhayapadavalena
While eating one's own food and wearing one's own clothes, should one fear the village?
This expression is used to assert independence and self-reliance. It implies that if a person is self-sufficient, works hard for their own livelihood, and does not depend on others for basic needs like food or clothing, they do not need to worry about societal criticism or be intimidated by others' opinions.
డబ్బును చూసి భయంగాని, బుద్ధిని చూసి కాదు.
dabbunu chusi bhayangani, buddhini chusi kadu.
Fear is for the money, not for the wisdom.
This expression is used to describe a situation where people respect or fear someone only because of their wealth and social status, rather than their character, intelligence, or integrity. It highlights the materialistic nature of society.
వృద్ధ కోతికి శివమెత్తినట్లు
vriddha kotiki shivamettinatlu
Like an old monkey being possessed by Lord Shiva.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is already naturally mischievous, unstable, or troublesome (like a monkey) gains additional power, energy, or a sudden outburst of rage (possession), making the situation significantly worse and uncontrollable.
పెద బావగారు ఆడంగులతో సమము.
peda bavagaru adangulato samamu.
The elder brother-in-law is like a woman. Said of a stupid clumay person.
This expression refers to a person who, despite being a male elder, spends his time gossiping or involving himself in the affairs of the women of the house rather than engaging in work or manly duties. It is often used to criticize a man who lacks authority or spends time in trivial domestic chatter.
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.
లక్షణాలు గల బావగారికి రాగి మీసాలు, అవలక్షణాలు గల బావగారికి అవీ లేవు.
lakshanalu gala bavagariki ragi misalu, avalakshanalu gala bavagariki avi levu.
The good looking brother-in-law has red mustaches, the ugly brother-in-law has none at all.
This proverb is a sarcastic way of describing a situation where there is no good choice available. It implies that even the 'best' option among the lot is flawed or mediocre, while the 'worst' option is completely devoid of any merit. It is used to mock someone's pretense of quality when even their best attributes are subpar.
ముసలి కోతికి శివం వచ్చినట్లు
musali kotiki shivam vachchinatlu
Like the fury of a weak monkey.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an already troublesome or mischievous person gains extra power or becomes hyperactive, leading to uncontrollable chaos. It implies that when someone naturally prone to creating problems gets a new reason or energy to act out, the resulting situation is disastrous or ridiculous.
Impotent rage.
చీకటింట్లో శివాలాడినట్లు
chikatintlo shivaladinatlu
Like performing the Shiva dance (Shiva Tandavam) in a pitch-dark room.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is performing a great deal of work or making a lot of effort, but because it is done in secret or without any visibility, no one notices or appreciates it. It can also refer to pointless or chaotic activity that yields no recognition.