బట్టవిప్పి నీళ్ళు పోసుకుంటూ బావగారు వచ్చారని నిటారున నిల్చుందట

battavippi nillu posukuntu bavagaru vachcharani nitaruna nilchundata

Translation

While bathing without clothes, she stood up straight because her brother-in-law arrived.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who, in an attempt to show respect or follow social etiquette, ends up doing something even more foolish or shameful. It highlights a lack of common sense where the 'remedy' or reaction is worse than the initial situation.

Related Phrases

When the jade went to the well, the water was too low. Said of a lazy person glad of any excuse to get off work.

This proverb describes a streak of bad luck or extreme misfortune. It refers to a situation where even a simple, routine task becomes impossible or complicated the moment a particular person attempts to do it. It is often used to express frustration when circumstances seem to turn unfavorable exactly when one needs them to work.

No matter how much water flows in the river, a dog can only lap it up.

This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or limited capacity. It suggests that even if someone is surrounded by immense wealth or opportunities, they will only benefit or behave according to their character, destiny, or petty habits. It highlights that abundance does not change a person's basic traits or their way of life.

Like pouring water into one's own stove when the neighbor is flourishing.

This proverb describes the height of envy and spite. It refers to people who are so jealous of others' success (greenery/prosperity) that they self-destruct or stop their own progress out of sheer malice or depression caused by seeing others thrive.

Water lies in the low ground.

This proverb suggests that opportunities, wealth, or help naturally gravitate toward those who are humble or those who have a genuine need. It is often used to imply that benefits flow to the deserving and well-prepared, or that good things settle where there is a receptive and grounded environment.

Truth will out at last.

Like pouring water into a leaky pot

This expression is used to describe a situation where effort or resources are being completely wasted on something that cannot be salvaged or retained. It refers to a futile action where despite continuous input, there is no result or progress because the foundation is fundamentally flawed or broken.

When a pretentious woman went to fetch water, it's said all the water gathered at one bank.

This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be extremely innocent, delicate, or slow to the point of being useless or overly dramatic. It describes a situation where a person acts so 'special' or 'helpless' that they expect nature or others to conform specifically to their slow pace or behavior.

If you take fright at a cupful of water, who will bathe with a boilful?

This proverb is used to mock someone who is hesitant or fearful of a small, minor challenge. It suggests that if a person cannot handle a trivial difficulty, they will never be able to manage much larger responsibilities or hardships.

When his neighbour prospered he poured water on his own hearth.

This proverb describes the toxic nature of extreme envy. It refers to people who are so jealous of others' success or prosperity (being 'green') that they self-destruct or extinguish their own progress and happiness (extinguishing their own cooking fire) out of spite or misery.

An envious act. To lose one eye that you may deprive another of two. (Spanish.)!

If you pour a mana in the soil, they will pour an idumu in the house.

This proverb highlights the abundance of nature and the rewards of hard work in farming. A 'mana' and 'idumu' are traditional measures of volume, with an idumu being significantly larger. It means that if a farmer sows even a small measure of seeds into the earth, nature returns a much larger harvest into their home. It is used to encourage investment and labor.

If you get startled by a small pot of water, will your brother-in-law pour a large cauldron of water for you?

This proverb is used to criticize someone who overreacts to small challenges or trivial tasks while expecting to handle much larger responsibilities later. It highlights that if one cannot handle a minor difficulty, they are certainly not prepared for the bigger hardships or commitments that follow. It is often used to mock unnecessary hesitation or cowardice in the face of small obstacles.