బంతిలో చిక్కింది భైరనబోకి

bantilo chikkindi bhairanaboki

Translation

Bhairanaboki was caught in the row (of diners).

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who was trying to hide or avoid being noticed is finally caught or exposed in a public gathering. It refers to a person with a bad reputation trying to sneak into a formal group but eventually getting identified.

Related Phrases

Mars for misfortune, Bhairava for sin

This expression is used to describe a person who is a definitive or ultimate solution to a problem, or conversely, someone who is a fierce destroyer of obstacles. In a negative context, it can refer to someone who is as intense or destructive as Mars is considered in astrology for causing ill-effects, or as powerful as Lord Bhairava is in destroying sins.

For sins, Papanna is the Bhairava.

This expression refers to a person who is ruthless and uncompromising when dealing with wrongdoers or sinners. In Telugu culture, Bhairava is a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva associated with annihilation and justice. The phrase implies that just as Bhairava punishes evil, a person named Papanna (or anyone being described this way) acts as a fearsome judge or punisher for those who commit sins.

A quarrel that is caught, or a quarrel that is not caught?

This expression is used to describe a situation or an argument that is complicated and difficult to settle. It refers to a dilemma where one is unsure whether a dispute is manageable (caught) or completely out of control and slippery (not caught), highlighting a state of confusion or persistent trouble.

Lime in one eye and butter in the other eye

This expression is used to describe showing partiality or unfair discrimination. It refers to a situation where two people or groups are treated differently—one with harshness (lime/sunnam, which burns) and the other with kindness (butter/venna, which soothes).

If caught, a thief; if not caught, a lord.

This expression describes a situation where a person's reputation or status depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the fact that many people who appear respectable might actually be doing something wrong but simply haven't been caught yet.

Dancing in the dark

This expression refers to activities done in secrecy or efforts that go unrecognized and wasted because they are performed where no one can see. It is used to describe futile actions or deceptive behavior carried out away from public scrutiny.

Angaraka (Mars) for misfortune, Bhairava for sins.

This expression refers to someone who acts as a powerful remedy or a destructive force against specific troubles. Just as the planet Mars is associated with warding off bad luck or causing intense change, and Lord Bhairava is the deity who destroys sins, this phrase describes a person or solution that is the ultimate 'antidote' to a particular problem or evil.

Without a leash or a tether

This expression is used to describe someone who acts without any restraint, discipline, or control. It is often applied to people who behave recklessly or speak without thinking, similar to an animal that has broken free from its harness.

When the canal was struck (to catch fish), a thief was caught.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone happens to get caught for their previous misdeeds or hidden secrets while an unrelated activity or investigation is taking place. It is similar to the idea of a 'windfall' discovery but in a negative or corrective context.

A measure in the mud, a heap in the house.

This is a traditional agricultural saying referring to the high yield of crops. It means that even a small amount of seed sown in the soil (mud) can result in a massive harvest stored at home. It is used to describe investments or efforts that yield exponentially great results.