బావ అని చూడబోతే రావా అని కొంగు పట్టుకున్నాడట.

bava ani chudabote rava ani kongu pattukunnadata.

Translation

When she looked at him as a brother-in-law, he grabbed her saree hem saying 'wont you come?'.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone mistakes another person's kindness or respect for weakness and tries to take undue advantage of them. It highlights the behavior of people who respond to decency with disrespect or inappropriate advances.

Related Phrases

When addressed affectionately as brother-in-law, he invited her to bed.

This proverb describes a situation where someone takes undue advantage of friendliness or intimacy. It is used when a person mistakes a polite or affectionate gesture for a weakness and responds with an inappropriate or overstepping demand. It highlights the behavior of individuals who lack boundaries and exploit a relationship's closeness.

Call me brother-in-law any where but at the Brinjal garden. Unwillingness to acknowledge relationship when it would cost anything.

This proverb highlights the importance of context and boundaries. While a relationship might be informal and friendly (calling someone 'Bava'), using that intimacy in a place where it could lead to suspicion or theft (like a garden where one might steal produce) is unwise. It warns that certain behaviors, though generally acceptable, are inappropriate in specific sensitive situations.

When she called him 'Showy Brother-in-law', he replied, 'I have no money, Sister-in-law'

This proverb is used to mock someone who puts on a grand act or maintains a high social status for show, but in reality, lacks the financial means to support it. It highlights the gap between outward pretension and inner poverty.

If you look at it, it's a silver bowl; if you try to drink from it, it's an empty bowl.

This expression describes something that looks grand, expensive, or promising on the outside but is actually empty, useless, or disappointing upon closer inspection or when put to use. It is used to mock pretentiousness or things that lack substance despite their attractive appearance.

When visited thinking they were a relative, they caught hold like a ghost.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where you approach someone out of kindness, goodwill, or a sense of relationship, but they end up becoming a source of trouble, harassment, or a burden. It signifies that a person you expected help or comfort from turned out to be toxic or problematic.

When the Peddareddy (Village Headman) grabbed the edge of the saree, she asked 'How can I say no?'

This proverb describes a situation where someone pretends to be helpless or coerced while secretly being happy about a situation or benefiting from it. It refers to feigning reluctance when one is actually willing, or using the status/power of another person as an excuse to do something they already wanted to do.

When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.

This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.

Call me brother-in-law anywhere, but do not call me brother-in-law in the brinjal garden

This proverb highlights hypocrisy or situational convenience. It refers to someone who wants to maintain a relationship or friendship in public but refuses to acknowledge it when there is work to be done or when their personal interests (like guarding a harvest) are at stake. It is used to describe people who are friendly only when it doesn't cost them anything.

When I went to see my sister, the floats were lost.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one incurs a significant loss while attempting to gain something small or perform a simple duty. It highlights how someone might lose their basic necessities or resources while pursuing an unnecessary or minor errand.

If you visit them they are relatives, if you invite them to visit you they are angry.

This proverb describes people who claim to be close relatives or friends but avoid any real interaction, responsibility, or visit. It is used to mock hypocritical relationships where people maintain a facade of closeness but become annoyed when actually asked to participate or visit.

* Kleine Feinde und kleine Wunden sind nicht zu verachten. 21 ( 161 )