నుదుటి రాత
nuduti rata
Writing on the forehead
This expression refers to 'destiny' or 'fate'. In Telugu culture, it is believed that Brahma writes a person's destiny on their forehead at birth, and it cannot be changed regardless of effort.
Related Phrases
కొత్త ఒక వింత; పాత ఒక రోత
kotta oka vinta; pata oka rota
The new is a wonder, the old detestable.
Generally, people are attracted by the new (especially, fashions in dress and the like) and tend to dislike the old. It is similar to the saying in English: “familiarity breeds contempt.”
అత్త ఒప్పినా దుత్త ఒప్పదు
atta oppina dutta oppadu
Even if the mother-in-law agrees, the pot does not agree.
This proverb is used when a situation is practically impossible even if the person in authority gives permission. It highlights a scenario where a task cannot be completed due to physical constraints or external circumstances, despite having the necessary approval.
నీళ్ళాటని ఇంట నిధానాలాటవు
nillatani inta nidhanalatavu
You are playing hide and seek with water while there are treasures in the house.
This proverb is used to describe a person who ignores valuable resources or opportunities available right at home (or within themselves) and instead wastes time or effort searching for trivial things elsewhere. It highlights the irony of neglecting great wealth or talent while being occupied with insignificant pursuits.
ఊరంతా ఒకటైతే, ఉలిపికట్టెదొక దారి
uranta okataite, ulipikattedoka dari
If the whole village is one way, the stick is another way.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is eccentric or stubborn, always choosing to go against the consensus or common path. It highlights non-conformity, often in a negative or frustrating sense, where one person acts contrary to everyone else in a group.
కాస్త ఓడంటే అంచంతా ఓడన్నట్లు.
kasta odante anchanta odannatlu.
If you say it's a bit of a boat, they say the whole edge is a boat.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes a small suggestion or a minor concession and exaggerates it to an extreme degree. It refers to people who do not know where to draw the line or those who take undue advantage of a small opening.
గుంట ఓనమాలు
gunta onamalu
Pit alphabets (Basic lessons in the sand)
This expression refers to the very basics or fundamentals of any subject. Historically, it refers to the traditional method where children practiced writing their first alphabets (O-Na-Ma-Lu) in a bed of sand or a shallow pit. It is used to describe someone who is at the absolute beginning stage of learning something.
పాత ఒక రోత, కొత్త ఒక వింత
pata oka rota, kotta oka vinta
The old is a nuisance, the new is a wonder.
This proverb describes the human tendency to quickly get bored with old, familiar things and become easily fascinated by anything new. It is often used to comment on people who abandon traditions or long-term possessions in favor of the latest trends, or when someone loses interest in something they once valued.
కాస్త వోడంటే కంచమంతా వోడన్నట్లు
kasta vodante kanchamanta vodannatlu
When asked to leave a little space, asking for the whole plate.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes undue advantage of a small favor or permission granted to them. It is similar to the English expression 'Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.' It highlights the behavior of greedy or opportunistic people who overstep boundaries once they are given a slight opening.
పింజారి పీకులాట కురువ గుద్దులాట
pinjari pikulata kuruva guddulata
The cotton cleaner's tugging and the shepherd's thumping
This proverb is used to describe a situation where people are engaged in tedious, endless, and noisy disputes or trivial struggles that lead to no productive outcome. It refers to the characteristic repetitive sounds and actions of traditional cotton carding (Pinjari) and sheep herding/weaving (Kuruva), signifying a chaotic or noisy commotion over petty matters.
లయ తప్పడం
laya tappadam
Out of rhythm
This expression literally means to lose the beat or rhythm in music or dance. Idiomatically, it describes a situation where a process, life, or a system has lost its regular order, consistency, or harmony.