బొటనవేలికి సున్నమైనదేమయ్యా అంటే బోర్లపడ్డానులే అన్నాడట
botanaveliki sunnamainademayya ante borlapaddanule annadata
When asked why there is lime on his big toe, he said he fell flat on his face.
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to cover up a small, embarrassing mistake or a specific failure with a much larger, dramatic excuse. It mocks people who lack the honesty to admit a simple fault and instead create elaborate stories to save face, even when the excuse makes no logical sense.
Related Phrases
రావేమయ్యా తిండివేమయ్యా అంటే వెనక్కే పోయానన్నాడట.
ravemayya tindivemayya ante venakke poyanannadata.
When asked, "Come sir, have some food," he replied, "I have already gone back (declined/left)."
This expression is used to describe a person who is overly sensitive, unnecessarily prideful, or plays hard to get even when someone is being hospitable. It depicts a situation where a guest feels offended or acts dramatic over a perceived delay in an invitation, responding with a sarcastic or stubborn attitude despite actually wanting the favor.
ఉన్నదున్నట్లు చెప్పమంటే తిన్నదేమిచేసెను అన్నదట
unnadunnatlu cheppamante tinnademichesenu annadata
When asked to tell things as they are, she asked what the food she ate did.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, when asked for an honest or straightforward opinion, brings up irrelevant personal grievances or reacts with unexpected defensiveness/deflection. It highlights the tendency of some people to shift the topic to their own dissatisfaction instead of being objective.
తాగనేరని పిల్లి బోర్ల దోసుకొన్నదట.
taganerani pilli borla dosukonnadata.
The cat which could not drink, upset the pot.
This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks the necessary skills or knowledge to do a task correctly, but instead of admitting it, they end up ruining the opportunity or causing a mess. It highlights how incompetence can lead to wastefulness or destruction.
ఎందుకొచ్చినావే ఎల్లమ్మా అంటే అందుకు కాదులే అగ్గికొచ్చాను అన్నదట.
endukochchinave ellamma ante anduku kadule aggikochchanu annadata.
When asked, 'Why did you come, Ellamma?', she replied, 'Not for that, I just came for some fire.'
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to hide their true motive or a guilty conscience by giving a trivial, unrelated excuse. It typically refers to a situation where someone is caught in an awkward position or unwanted visit and makes up a weak reason to justify their presence.
బొటనవేలు సున్నమయితే బోర్ల పడతాడు.
botanavelu sunnamayite borla padatadu.
When he has chunam on his thumb, he is upset with conceit.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely fragile, delicate, or hypersensitive. It mocks a person who makes a huge fuss or gets completely incapacitated by a trivial injury or a minor inconvenience.
Having " chunam on the thumb" means ability to afford to eat a little betel nut. Chunam is rubbed on the leaf with the thumb.
ఎగరబోయి బోర్లపడి, ఊరు అచ్చివచ్చిందికాదు అన్నాడట.
egaraboyi borlapadi, uru achchivachchindikadu annadata.
He tried to fly, fell flat on his face, and then claimed the village was unlucky for him.
This proverb is used to describe someone who attempts a task far beyond their capabilities, fails due to their own incompetence, and then blames external factors or the environment instead of taking responsibility. It highlights the human tendency to make excuses for personal failure.
పడినాయి అన్నదట.
padinayi annadata.
She said 'they have fallen'.
This phrase is used to describe a person who tries to cover up their failure or misfortune by acting as if it was their original intention or a deliberate choice. It originates from a story where a person falls down and, to avoid embarrassment, claims they intended to lie down.
మొగుణ్ణి నమ్మి మోకాలు అడ్డం వేసుకున్నట్లు
mogunni nammi mokalu addam vesukunnatlu
Trusting to the good match, she turned every thing topsy turvy. But she was disappointed after all.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone relies completely on an unreliable source or person for safety or success, only to find themselves vulnerable or disappointed. It signifies misplaced trust or foolish dependence.
సన్నపని చేయబోతే సున్నం సున్నం అయిందట.
sannapani cheyabote sunnam sunnam ayindata.
When trying to do delicate work, everything turned into lime powder.
This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to perform a very fine or meticulous task backfires, resulting in total destruction or waste of resources. It is used when someone's over-ambition or lack of skill in handling delicate matters leads to a complete mess instead of the intended perfection.
అడ్డం పడితే గడ్డం లోతే, బోర్లపడితే పుక్కిటిలోతే
addam padite gaddam lote, borlapadite pukkitilote
If falling on the back, the depth is up to the chin; if falling face down, the depth is up to the mouth.
This expression describes a situation where there is no escape or safe outcome regardless of how one approaches a problem. It is used to describe a 'no-win' scenario or extreme danger where even the smallest stumble leads to total disaster. It highlights a state of being completely surrounded by peril or being in very shallow water but still drowning.