చిన్న చేపను పెద్ద చేప మింగితే, పెద్ద చేపను బెస్తవాడు మింగుతాడు
chinna chepanu pedda chepa mingite, pedda chepanu bestavadu mingutadu
If a big fish swallows a small fish, a fisherman swallows the big fish.
This expression refers to the 'food chain' or the hierarchy of power. It signifies that there is always someone more powerful or superior to oneself. It serves as a reminder to stay humble, as those who exploit the weak will eventually face a stronger force or a higher authority.
Related Phrases
చిన్నక్కను పెద్దక్కను, పెద్దక్కను చిన్నక్కను చేసే వాడు
chinnakkanu peddakkanu, peddakkanu chinnakkanu chese vadu
He makes the younger sister the elder, and the elder sister the younger.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or a master of deception. It refers to someone capable of twisting facts or reality so convincingly that they can make even the most obvious truths appear reversed.
Said of an unprincipled, untruthful man.
వేలు చూపిస్తే మండ మింగుతారు, మండ చూపిస్తే మనిషినే మింగుతారు
velu chupiste manda mingutaru, manda chupiste manishine mingutaru
If you show a finger, they will swallow the arm; if you show the arm, they will swallow the whole person.
This proverb describes people who take undue advantage of someone's kindness or small concessions. It is used to caution against being overly generous with greedy or manipulative people who, when given a small opportunity, will eventually try to take everything or exploit the giver completely.
ఎర్రను చూపి చేపను పట్టినట్టు
erranu chupi chepanu pattinattu
Like catching a fish with a worm. Fish follow the bait.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is lured or deceived into a trap using a small incentive or temptation to achieve a much larger gain or to manipulate them.
* At skære l fremmed Ore er ikke anderledes end i Filtehat. † Der Narben lacht, wer Wunden nie gefühlt. 10 ( 73 )
చిన్నక్కను పెద్దక్కను, పెద్దక్కను చిన్నక్కను చేసినట్లు
chinnakkanu peddakkanu, peddakkanu chinnakkanu chesinatlu
Like making the younger sister the older one, and the older sister the younger one.
This expression is used to describe a situation where things are completely mixed up, shuffled, or inverted. It refers to a state of total confusion or an illogical reversal of roles or order.
నంగీ నమలక మింగవే అంటే, ఉడికిన చేపలు కరుస్తవి అన్నదట.
nangi namalaka mingave ante, udikina chepalu karustavi annadata.
When a simpleton was told to swallow without chewing, she said the boiled fish might bite.
This proverb is used to describe people who act overly innocent or fake naivety to avoid work or to make excuses. It mocks someone who pretends to be so simple-minded that they fear impossible things (like a cooked fish biting) just to be difficult or to gain sympathy.
చేసినమ్మ చేప చేయనమ్మ చెదలు
chesinamma chepa cheyanamma chedalu
The woman who worked got fish, the woman who didn't got termites.
This proverb emphasizes that hard work leads to fruitful results, while laziness or procrastination leads to waste and decay. It is used to motivate someone to put in effort to reap rewards rather than letting opportunities rot away.
గాలి చిన్నదీపాన్ని ఆర్పి మంటను పెద్దచేస్తుంది
gali chinnadipanni arpi mantanu peddachestundi
Wind extinguishes a small lamp but fuels a large fire
This expression describes how circumstances affect the weak and the strong differently. Just as wind puts out a tiny flame but makes a large forest fire grow bigger, challenges can destroy those who are vulnerable while making those who are already strong even more powerful. It is used to emphasize that one's internal strength determines whether external forces will be a hindrance or a help.
ఎత్తి వేసి చేపను పట్టినట్లు
etti vesi chepanu pattinatlu
Like lifting and throwing (water) to catch a fish.
This expression refers to a traditional method of catching fish by bailing water out of a small pond or puddle until it is dry enough to catch the fish by hand. It is used to describe a situation where someone puts in a lot of hard work, effort, or systematic labor to achieve a specific goal or to expose something hidden.
చేపపిల్లకి ఈత నేర్పాలా?
chepapillaki ita nerpala?
Do you need to teach a baby fish how to swim?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to teach a skill to a person who is already naturally gifted or genetically predisposed to it. It implies that certain talents are inherent and do not require external instruction.
నంగీ నమలక మింగవే అంటే, ఉడికిన చేపలు కరుస్తవి అన్నదట
nangi namalaka mingave ante, udikina chepalu karustavi annadata
"Swallow without chewing, Nangi."—"The boiled fish are biting me" she replied.
This proverb describes a person who pretends to be overly innocent, shy, or delicate to avoid work or to hide their true nature. It is used to mock someone who makes ridiculous, impossible excuses to act helpless (like claiming cooked/dead fish can bite) while trying to maintain a facade of extreme modesty or naivety.
Nangi is a name given to a woman who is never at a loss for an excuse however paltry.