చెట్టపట్టని నా భీతి, బొట్టు కట్టని కన్యరీతి.

chettapattani na bhiti, bottu kattani kanyariti.

Translation

My fear is like a woman who is not held by the hand, or a maiden who is not wedded.

Meaning

This expression describes a state of extreme vulnerability, lack of protection, or insecurity. It likens a person's fear or helplessness to a woman who has no guardian or a bride who lacks the social and legal protection of marriage (symbolized by the 'bottu' or mangalsutra). It is used to express a sense of being abandoned or left without any support system.

Related Phrases

Everything seems grand and loud, but there isn't even a drop of oil at my cloth (home).

This expression describes a situation where there is a great deal of external show, pomp, or noise, but in reality, there is complete lack of substance or resources. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be wealthy or influential while living in extreme poverty or lacking basic necessities.

Whether given to the stomach or given for clothes, it is Mother Earth.

This expression highlights that everything essential for human survival—be it food (stomach) or fiber for clothing (clothes)—originates from the Earth. It is used to emphasize our dependence on nature and the importance of agriculture and the land.

A mother-in-law is never soft, and a knife is never soft.

This proverb is used to describe relationships or objects that are inherently sharp or harsh by nature. It suggests that just as a knife's purpose is to cut and it cannot be blunt or soft, a mother-in-law (in traditional contexts) is expected to be strict or demanding, and one should not expect otherwise.

Family life is a secret, illness is a public display.

This proverb suggests that family matters and internal household affairs should be kept private (guutu) to maintain dignity, whereas an illness (rogam) or physical ailment cannot be hidden and eventually becomes known to everyone. It is used to advise someone to keep domestic issues within the four walls of the house.

A pearl that does not suit the nose.

This expression is used to describe something that is excessively large, disproportionate, or ill-fitting for its intended purpose. It can also refer to a person who is too proud or important for a specific role, or someone who is beautiful but difficult to manage.

The ethics of a prostitute, the caste of a monk.

This proverb is used to describe things that are non-existent or irrelevant. It suggests that just as one does not look for moral character (ethics) in a prostitute's profession or a specific lineage (caste) in a monk who has renounced worldly ties, it is futile to search for certain qualities in people or situations where they naturally cannot exist.

Can the one who hit the daughter-in-law not hit the mother-in-law?

This expression means that a person who is capable of committing a minor offense or mistreating a specific person is also capable of committing a bigger offense or attacking someone in a higher position. It is used to warn that once a person crosses a boundary of decency or law, no one is safe from their behavior.

Like guarding the clothes that have already been washed and spread out to dry.

This expression describes a situation where someone is performing a redundant or unnecessary task. It refers to a person watching over something that is already safe or in a state where guarding it serves no practical purpose, similar to 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted' or performing a futile, over-protective action.

Neither eaten nor caught, at least wear a bindi/dot.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has gained no actual benefit or success from their efforts, but still tries to maintain appearances or asks for a small, superficial token of recognition to save face.

A pearl too big for the nose, an earring too big for the ear.

This expression is used to describe something that is oversized, ill-fitting, or disproportionate to the situation. It characterizes items or situations where the scale is so large that it becomes uncomfortable, impractical, or aesthetically unpleasing rather than being an ornament.