బూటకాల దాసరికి ఒళ్ళంతా నామాలే

butakala dasariki ollanta namale

Translation

A fake devotee has religious marks all over his body.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks genuine character or skill but makes an excessive outward show of piety or expertise to deceive others. It is similar to the English concept of 'a wolf in sheep's clothing' or overcompensating with appearances to hide a lack of substance.

Related Phrases

The beggar with unwashed teeth is always singing songs about food.

This proverb describes a person who is obsessed with their immediate needs or desires (often food or survival) to the extent that they talk or think about nothing else, even before performing basic morning rituals. It is used to mock someone who is overly greedy or constantly worrying about their next meal.

A beggar with unwashed teeth is only focused on food.

This proverb describes a person who is so desperate or single-minded about their basic needs (like food or money) that they lack self-respect or discipline. It is used to point out someone's narrow-minded obsession with material gain or survival above all else.

Calling a servant closer only to tell him that his eye is sunken.

This proverb describes a situation where someone goes out of their way to call or approach another person, not to help or offer something positive, but merely to point out a flaw or insult them. It is used to describe mean-spirited behavior or unsolicited criticism delivered under the guise of personal attention.

The butter-milk of a Mussulman mendicant is Toddy. Applied to pretended sanctity.

This proverb describes a situation where something inappropriate or mismatched is offered to someone based on their unique circumstances or lack of options. It refers to a person who follows a lifestyle that is a peculiar mix of different traditions, leading to them receiving things that don't quite fit the standard norms of either.

When told to pluck a milky grain ear, the beggar said only the fallen ones are for God.

This proverb describes a person who is extremely lazy or unwilling to put in even the slightest effort. When someone is offered an opportunity that requires a tiny bit of work (like plucking a grain), they respond by saying they will only take what has already fallen on the ground, showing a complete lack of initiative.

While I have all the fox-like tricks with me, the little tortoise escaped, said the fox.

This expression is used when a person who considers themselves extremely cunning or clever is outsmarted by someone who appears slow or simple. It highlights the irony of a self-proclaimed expert failing at their own game against a seemingly weak opponent. It is often used to mock overconfidence.

Sandalwood paste all over the body and a mouth full of betel nut.

This expression is used to describe someone who is overly decorated, living in extreme luxury, or showing off their prosperity and well-being. It signifies a state of being perfectly groomed and content, often used to remark on someone's high-status appearance or their indulgence in comforts.

The Jangama's rhythm and the Dasari's music

This expression refers to a situation where two different people or groups are working together in an uncoordinated, chaotic, or mismatched manner. It is used to describe a lack of synchronization or harmony in a joint effort.

Will the head break just by mentioning a club?

This proverb is used to describe someone who is overly sensitive or fearful. It implies that a person shouldn't get hurt or react dramatically just because something threatening or unpleasant was mentioned. It highlights the difference between a verbal threat or a word and the actual physical action.

A village full of debts, a mouth full of teeth.

This expression is used to describe a person who is drowning in debt but remains shamelessly cheerful or continues to grin as if nothing is wrong. It mocks the irony of having many liabilities while maintaining a facade of carefree happiness or showing off.