చంక దుడ్డుకు దండం అన్నట్లు
chanka dudduku dandam annatlu
Like bowing to the stick held under the arm.
This expression refers to a situation where someone shows respect or obeys another person not out of genuine regard, but out of fear of the weapon or power they possess. It is used when a person's submission is forced by an immediate threat of violence or authority.
Related Phrases
దయలేని అత్తకు దండం పెట్టినా తప్పే.
dayaleni attaku dandam pettina tappe.
If [ the daughter-in-law ] even salute her unkind mother-in- law, it's a fault.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is so biased or ill-intentioned that no matter how much respect or kindness you show them, they will still find a reason to criticize or find fault. It is used to describe people who are impossible to please.
కొప్పుకు సింగారం అందము, తప్పుకు తగవు అందము
koppuku singaram andamu, tappuku tagavu andamu
Decoration is the beauty of a hair bun, and a fair trial is the beauty of a mistake.
This proverb highlights the importance of propriety and resolution. Just as flowers or jewels enhance a hair bun, a mistake or a conflict should be addressed through a proper inquiry or dispute resolution process to bring a sense of justice or 'beauty' to an otherwise messy situation. It emphasizes that problems should be faced and solved rather than ignored.
నీ చంక నేమిటోయీ అంటే, నా చంక నాకయ్యా అన్నాడట.
ni chanka nemitoyi ante, na chanka nakayya annadata.
When asked 'What is that in your armpit?', he replied 'It's my armpit, sir'.
This expression describes a situation where someone gives a redundant, evasive, or foolishly obvious answer to avoid revealing what they are hiding. It is used to mock people who try to hide something by stating the obvious or using circular reasoning.
అరవై ఏండ్లకు అగ్గిగండం అన్నట్లు.
aravai endlaku aggigandam annatlu.
Like saying there is a danger of fire at sixty years of age.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone predicts or faces an unnecessary or unexpected catastrophe just when things are supposed to be settled or peaceful. It refers to an ironic or ill-timed misfortune occurring late in life or at an inappropriate time.
ఉద్దరసొమ్ము దుడ్డుకు పంచేరు
uddarasommu dudduku pancheru
Distributing borrowed money or others' wealth in handfuls
This proverb is used to describe a person who is overly generous or reckless when spending money that doesn't belong to them or wealth acquired easily without effort. It highlights how people are often less careful with borrowed funds or public property compared to their own hard-earned money.
లంకా దహనం
lanka dahanam
The burning of Lanka
This expression is used to describe a situation of massive destruction, a major uproar, or a heated argument that results in chaos. It originates from the Ramayana, where Hanuman sets the city of Lanka on fire.
చాదస్తం అంటే చెరిసగం అన్నట్లు
chadastam ante cherisagam annatlu
If one says 'Chadam' (the ritualistic name), the other says 'stam' (the completion) — meaning exactly half-and-half.
This proverb is used to describe two people who are perfectly matched in their foolishness, stubbornness, or eccentricities. It suggests that if one person starts a silly act, the other completes it, implying they are both equally responsible for a peculiar or impractical situation.
నీకు ఒక దండం, నీ బువ్వకు ఒక దండం
niku oka dandam, ni buvvaku oka dandam
A bow to you, a bow to your food. Said when offered bad food.
This expression is used when someone is fed up with another person's troublesome behavior or difficult nature. It signifies a desire to cut ties or stay away from them, implying 'I don't want your company, nor do I want to share a meal with you; just leave me alone.'
తట్టెడు గుల్లల కొక దుడ్డుపెట్టు
tattedu gullala koka duddupettu
One blow with a heavy stick for a basketful of hollow shells.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a single powerful action or a solid fact can easily destroy a large amount of empty talk, baseless arguments, or weak excuses. It signifies quality over quantity, or the power of truth over many lies.
దూల పెట్టేచోట దుడ్డుకోల పెట్టినట్లు
dula pettechota duddukola pettinatlu
Like placing a heavy wooden staff where it itches.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone receives a punishment or a harsh consequence that they practically invited upon themselves through their mischievous or annoying behavior. It implies that a person's 'itch' for trouble was cured by a 'heavy blow' of reality or discipline.