చాప సరసంతో సాతాని దంపతులు తెల్లారిపోయినట్టు
chapa sarasanto satani dampatulu tellaripoyinattu
Like the Satani couple who spent the whole night joking about a mat until daybreak.
This expression is used to describe a situation where people waste an entire night or a significant amount of time arguing or discussing something trivial or insignificant, only to realize at the end that they have achieved nothing or that it is too late.
Related Phrases
దాసరి తప్పు దండముతో సరి
dasari tappu dandamuto sari
The crime of a Dâsari is excused with an apology.
This proverb refers to a situation where someone commits a mistake but expects to be forgiven easily with a simple apology or a gesture of respect (Dandam), rather than facing a formal punishment. It is often used when minor errors are dismissed without serious consequences due to the status or the simple nature of the person involved.
సతీపతులు చక్కగా ఉంటే, సంతలో పెళ్ళికి చింత లేదు.
satipatulu chakkaga unte, santalo pelliki chinta ledu.
If the husband and wife are in harmony, there is no worry about a wedding in the marketplace.
This proverb emphasizes that if there is unity and understanding between a husband and wife, they can overcome any challenge or manage any task—even a complex one like organizing a wedding in a busy marketplace—without stress. It highlights that marital harmony is the foundation for a peaceful and successful family life.
ఏ గాలికి ఆ చాప ఎత్తినట్టు
e galiki a chapa ettinattu
Like setting the sail according to the wind.
This proverb describes a person who is opportunistic or highly adaptable. It refers to the practice of changing one's opinions, loyalty, or behavior to suit current circumstances or to gain an advantage, similar to the English expression 'to trim one's sails to the wind.'
Set your sail according to the wind. (French.)*,
హనుమంతుడు సువేలాద్రిని కనుగొని దానిపైకి ఎక్కినాడు అని సాతాని పురాణం చదివితే, 'సాతాని దానిపై ఎందుకు ఎక్కకూడదు?' అన్నాడట సభలో ఉన్న ఒకడు.
hanumantudu suveladrini kanugoni danipaiki ekkinadu ani satani puranam chadivite, satani danipai enduku ekkakudadu? annadata sabhalo unna okadu.
When the Satani priest read the Purana stating 'Hanuman found Suveladri mountain and climbed it', a person in the audience asked, 'Why shouldn't the Satani climb it?'
This is a humorous proverb based on a linguistic misunderstanding. In Telugu, 'కని' (Kani) means 'having seen/found', but it also sounds like 'కాని' (but). Furthermore, the listener confused the word 'Hanuman' with the 'Satani' (the person reading the text). It is used to mock people who misinterpret words due to ignorance or who listen to a discourse without paying proper attention to the subject, focusing instead on irrelevant or phonetically similar words.
కర్ణునితో భారతం సరి, కార్తీకమాసంతో వానలు సరి.
karnunito bharatam sari, kartikamasanto vanalu sari.
Mahabharata ends with Karna; rains end with the month of Kartika.
This expression is used to signify a definitive conclusion or a final limit. In the epic Mahabharata, the climax and major intensity are often associated with Karna's fall. Similarly, in the traditional Telugu calendar, the monsoon season and heavy rains typically conclude by the end of the Kartika month.
పలవతో సరసము ప్రాణహాని
palavato sarasamu pranahani
Flirting or joking with a wicked person is a threat to life.
This proverb serves as a warning against being overly familiar or playful with malicious or unpredictable people. Even a casual interaction or joke with a wicked individual can escalate into a dangerous situation that puts one's life at risk.
సరసానికైనా సమయం ఉండాలి.
sarasanikaina samayam undali.
There should be a proper time even for joking.
This proverb is used to advise someone that humor, teasing, or flirting should be done at the right time and place. It suggests that even harmless fun can be inappropriate or offensive if the situation is serious or the timing is wrong.
అల్లుని గుడ్డి తెల్లారితే తెలుస్తుంది
alluni guddi tellarite telustundi
The son-in-law's blindness will be revealed once it's morning.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a major defect or a harsh truth cannot be hidden for long, no matter how much one tries to conceal it initially. Just as a son-in-law might hide his vision problems during the night of the wedding, the truth inevitably comes to light when circumstances change (daylight). It is applied to deceptive situations or hidden flaws that are bound to be exposed eventually.
చేలో పొత్తు కళ్ళంతో సరి.
chelo pottu kallanto sari.
Partnership in the field ends at the threshing floor.
This proverb is used to describe temporary alliances or business partnerships that dissolve as soon as the immediate goal is achieved or the profit is distributed. It suggests that cooperation often lasts only until the final stage of a project, and warns that one shouldn't expect long-term commitment from such short-term arrangements.
హంసపాదుల రాత, ఆయాసంతో పాట
hamsapadula rata, ayasanto pata
Writing like swan's feet, singing with exhaustion
This expression describes a situation where the quality of work is poor and the effort put into it is tiring or unpleasant. It is used to mock illegible, messy handwriting (resembling bird tracks) and performances that are strained or lack harmony.