బతకని బిడ్డ బారెడు
batakani bidda baredu
The child who doesn't survive appears a fathom long.
This expression is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities or potential of things that are already lost or projects that have failed. Just as a child who died at birth is often remembered as being exceptionally healthy or large, people often overstate the greatness of 'what could have been' in hindsight.
Related Phrases
బ్రతకని బిడ్డ బారెడు సాప
bratakani bidda baredu sapa
The child who does not survive is as long as a hand-span.
This proverb is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities, beauty, or potential of someone or something that was lost or is no longer available. It is similar to saying 'the one that got away was the biggest fish.'
బతుకనేరని బిడ్డ బారెడుండు
batukanerani bidda baredundu
A child who doesn't know how to survive grows to be a fathom long.
This proverb describes a person who lacks practical life skills or common sense despite being physically grown or having significant resources. It is used to mock someone who is old enough or 'big' enough to be capable, yet remains helpless, lazy, or foolish in managing their own affairs.
బాతాకానీ వానికి బారానా, నాకూ బారానానేనా?
batakani vaniki barana, naku barananena?
A 'barana' for the talkative one, and is it a 'barana' for me too?
This expression is used when someone who has worked hard feels insulted or undervalued when they receive the same reward or treatment as someone who did nothing but talk. It highlights the injustice of equal pay or credit for unequal effort.
వెన్ను మూరెడు, దంటు బారెడు.
vennu muredu, dantu baredu.
The ear of grain is a cubit long, but the stalk is a fathom long.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the overhead, effort, or waste (represented by the long stalk) far exceeds the actual result, profit, or utility (represented by the small ear of grain). It signifies disproportionate effort or high maintenance for a very small return.
ముక్కు మూరెడు, సిగ బారెడు
mukku muredu, siga baredu
Nose is a cubit long, but the hair bun is a fathom long.
This expression is used to describe someone who exaggerates their appearance or qualities, or to describe an awkward/disproportionate situation. It often refers to a person who makes a mountain out of a molehill, or someone who focuses excessively on minor embellishments while the core reality is different.
దయ్యం కొట్టనూ బిడ్డ బ్రతకనూ
dayyam kottanu bidda bratakanu
When the devil attacks will the child live ? Said of a meddling fool.
This proverb is used to describe an impossible situation where two contradictory things cannot happen at the same time. It implies that certain actions have inevitable, often negative, consequences; you cannot expect a positive outcome when a destructive force is involved. It is similar to saying 'You can't have your cake and eat it too' or used when someone wants to do something harmful but expects no damage.
బారెడు చుట్టు అయినా బాటన పొమ్మన్నారు
baredu chuttu ayina batana pommannaru
Even if it is a fathom's length extra, go only by the established path.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of safety and reliability over shortcuts. It suggests that it is better to take a slightly longer, familiar, and safe route or method rather than taking a shorter but risky or unknown path. It is used to advise someone to follow conventions and proven ways to avoid unnecessary danger.
ముక్కు మూరెడు, శిగ బారెడు
mukku muredu, shiga baredu
The nose is a cubit long, and the hair knot is a fathom long.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the secondary or decorative aspects of something far exceed the actual core or essential part. It is often used to criticize someone who over-exaggerates their features, spends excessively on trivialities, or when the cost/effort of maintenance outweighs the value of the object itself.
బ్రతకని బిడ్డ తెగబారెడు
bratakani bidda tegabaredu
The dead infant is always a fine child.
This proverb is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities or potential of something they have lost or something that failed to materialize. It highlights the human tendency to glorify the 'what ifs' or lost opportunities, making them seem much greater than they actually were.
Thought more of when dead than when living. Far folks fare well, and fair children die.
రొయ్యకు లేదు బారెడు మీసం
royyaku ledu baredu misam
The prawn doesn't even have a body, but it has a yard-long mustache.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks basic substance, status, or capability, yet makes grand displays of arrogance or carries an oversized ego. It highlights the irony of having a massive 'identity' or 'show' without any actual foundation.