చూచింది పాము, కరిచింది మామిడిటెంక
chuchindi pamu, karichindi mamiditenka
What was seen was a snake, but what bit was a mango stone.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is so overwhelmed by fear or a preconceived notion that they misinterpret a harmless event as a dangerous one. It highlights how psychological fear can make a person believe a disaster has occurred, even when the actual cause is trivial (like a sharp mango seed poking someone who thought they saw a snake).
Related Phrases
పూచింది పొడమంత, కాచింది గంపంత
puchindi podamanta, kachindi gampanta
Flowered as much as a small patch, but yielded a basketful.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a small effort or a modest beginning leads to a surprisingly large or abundant result. It is often used to praise high productivity or unexpected success from minimal resources.
పదిమంది నడిచింది బాట, పదిమంది పలికింది మాట
padimandi nadichindi bata, padimandi palikindi mata
The path walked by ten people is a road, the word spoken by ten people is the truth.
This proverb emphasizes the power of collective opinion and consensus. It suggests that when a large group of people follows a certain path or agrees on a particular statement, it gains legitimacy and becomes the established norm or truth. It is used to highlight that communal agreement carries more weight than individual opinion.
పూచింది ఒక ఎత్తు కాచింది మరొక ఎత్తు
puchindi oka ettu kachindi maroka ettu
Blooming is one height, bearing fruit is another height.
This expression means that starting a task is one thing, but successfully completing it or seeing the results is a different and often more difficult challenge. It is used to highlight the difference between initial potential and final achievement.
ముందు చచ్చింది ముత్తైదువ, వెనుక వచ్చింది విధవ
mundu chachchindi muttaiduva, venuka vachchindi vidhava
The one who died first is a sumangali (auspicious woman), the one who followed is a widow.
This proverb is used to comment on irony or hypocritical situations where people judge others based on timing or status, even when they share a similar fate. It highlights that the first person to experience a situation or commit an act often gains a higher status or 'moral ground' compared to the second person who does the exact same thing.
ఇచ్చింది పోయింది అసలు రాదు.
ichchindi poyindi asalu radu.
What was given is gone, and the principal will never return.
This expression is used to describe a situation where money or resources lent or invested are completely lost. It signifies a total loss where neither the profit/interest nor the original capital is recoverable. It is often used as a cautionary remark about bad debts or risky ventures.
రాజు మెచ్చింది మాట, మొగుడు మెచ్చింది రంభ.
raju mechchindi mata, mogudu mechchindi rambha.
What the king likes is the law, and who the husband likes is Rambha.
This proverb highlights the subjectivity of beauty and authority. It means that power determines what is right, and personal affection determines what is beautiful. Just as a king's word is final regardless of logic, a person's preference defines their standard of beauty or excellence, regardless of objective reality.
తలగడ కింద పాము
talagada kinda pamu
A snake under the pillow.
This expression refers to a hidden or imminent danger that is very close to a person, often without them realizing it. It is used to describe a precarious situation where a threat exists in one's immediate or most trusted environment.
మానింది మందు
manindi mandu
That which heals is the medicine
This expression is used to convey that the effectiveness of a remedy or solution is what truly matters, regardless of its cost, origin, or reputation. If a treatment works and the ailment is cured, it is considered the right 'medicine'. It is often applied to situations where practical results are valued over theoretical perfection.
చూచినది పాము, కరిచినది మామిడి టెంక.
chuchinadi pamu, karichinadi mamidi tenka.
What he saw was a snake, that which bit him was a mango stone. After seeing the snake, he had trodden on a split mango stone which nipped his toe. Flabbergasted with fright.
This expression is used to describe situations where a person mistakenly attributes an event or injury to a false cause due to fear or paranoia. It refers to someone who sees a snake, gets startled, and then feels a sharp pain caused by stepping on a mango seed, wrongly concluding that the snake bit them. It highlights how fear can distort one's perception of reality.
ఆడింది ఆట పాడింది పాట
adindi ata padindi pata
The game played is a game, and the song sung is a song.
This expression describes a situation where a person has absolute authority or dominance. It is used when someone's every action and word is accepted without question, or when they are in such a powerful position that whatever they do becomes the law or the norm.