చెప్పితే పాపం గాని, తిరగేసి పొడిస్తే చస్తుంది అన్నట్లు
cheppite papam gani, tiragesi podiste chastundi annatlu
It is a sin to say it out loud, but if you flip it over and stab it, it will die.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone pretends to be innocent or virtuous while suggesting a cruel or obvious solution. It refers to a person who avoids taking direct responsibility for a harsh action but provides the exact instructions on how to commit it. It is often used to mock hypocritical advice.
Related Phrases
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi
If left alone it ripens, if plucked out it withers.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and letting things take their natural course. Just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen and will wither if picked too early, certain situations or relationships require time and space to mature. It is used to advise against being impulsive or forceful.
తండ్రి చస్తే పెత్తనం తెలుస్తుంది, తల్లి చస్తే కాపురం తెలుస్తుంది.
tandri chaste pettanam telustundi, talli chaste kapuram telustundi.
When the father dies, one understands management; when the mother dies, one understands household responsibilities.
This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a family. It suggests that a child only truly understands the burden of authority and financial responsibility once the father is gone, and the intricacies of managing a home and family bonds once the mother is gone.
బర్రె చస్తే పాడి బయట పడుతుంది
barre chaste padi bayata padutundi
When the buffalo dies, it comes out how much milk she gave.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the true value, contribution, or secrets of a person are only fully realized or disclosed after they are gone or when a resource is lost. It often implies that someone was exaggerating their worth or productivity while they were active.
చేసిన పాపం చెపితే పోతుంది.
chesina papam chepite potundi.
A committed sin goes away if it is told.
This expression suggests that confessing one's mistakes or sins relieves the burden of guilt and leads to forgiveness. It is used to encourage honesty and transparency after making a mistake, implying that keeping a secret only worsens the moral weight of the action.
అబద్ధం చెప్పితే అన్నం పుట్టదు, నిజం చెప్పితే నీళ్ళు పుట్టవు.
abaddham cheppite annam puttadu, nijam cheppite nillu puttavu.
If you tell a lie, food won't be born; if you tell the truth, water won't be born.
This proverb describes a moral dilemma or a 'no-win' situation. It suggests that lying leads to a lack of sustenance or prosperity (guilt/consequences), while telling the harsh truth might lead to social isolation or lack of even basic support. It is used to describe situations where both honesty and dishonesty carry difficult consequences.
చేసిన పాపము చెప్పితే మానును.
chesina papamu cheppite manunu.
Sin is removed by confession. Confession of a fault makes half amends. A sin confessed is half forgiven. (Italian.)
This proverb emphasizes the importance of confession and accountability. It suggests that acknowledging one's mistakes or wrongdoings openly helps in reducing the burden of guilt and paves the way for forgiveness or self-correction. It is used to encourage people to be honest about their faults rather than hiding them.
పగలు చూస్తే రాత్రి కలలో వస్తుంది అన్నట్లు
pagalu chuste ratri kalalo vastundi annatlu
As if what you see during the day appears in your dreams at night
This expression refers to things that leave such a strong impression on the mind that they continue to haunt or reappear in thoughts. It is used to describe someone who is obsessed with a particular thought or a traumatic/intense event that they cannot stop thinking about even when asleep.
తనను పొడిచిన గంగిగోవునయినా పొడిస్తే పాపములేదు.
tananu podichina gangigovunayina podiste papamuledu.
Killing a sacred cow that gores you is not sin.
This proverb justifies self-defense. It implies that when someone attacks or harms you, you have the right to defend yourself or retaliate, regardless of how noble, virtuous, or superior that person is usually considered to be. Even a sacred cow (symbol of non-violence and divinity) loses its immunity if it turns aggressive.
తురక, మరక తిరగేసి నరక.
turaka, maraka tiragesi naraka.
Turk, stain, turn them over and chop.
This is a rhythmic folk saying or a tongue twister emphasizing that certain things (originally referring to stains on clothes or tough situations) need to be handled thoroughly from both sides to be resolved. In a modern context, it is often used as a playful rhyming phrase or to suggest that one should be relentless in tackling a problem.
నీ ముఖాన పొద్దు పొడిస్తే - నా ఇంట కనకం కురుస్తుందన్నాట.
ni mukhana poddu podiste - na inta kanakam kurustundannata.
If the sun rises on your face, it is said that gold will rain in my house.
This is a sarcastic or satirical expression used to mock someone's laziness, unluckiness, or lack of importance. It suggests that if the person in question actually did something productive or if something good happened through them, it would be an impossible miracle. It is often used to ridicule people who have an over-inflated sense of their own value or those who are consistently late and unproductive.