చూడబోతే చుంచెలుక, తెంచేదేమో తోలుమోకులు
chudabote chuncheluka, tenchedemo tolumokulu
To look at, it's just a musk shrew, but it bites through thick leather ropes.
This proverb is used to describe someone who appears small, weak, or insignificant but is capable of causing immense damage or performing surprisingly difficult tasks. It warns against underestimating others based on their outward appearance.
Related Phrases
చూడను చుంచెలుక, గోడలు త్రవ్వను పందికొక్కు
chudanu chuncheluka, godalu travvanu pandikokku
To look at, a tiny mouse; to dig through walls, a bandicoot.
This expression is used to describe someone who looks small, innocent, or harmless in appearance but possesses a surprising capacity for destruction or performs heavy, unexpected tasks. It is similar to the English proverb 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' but specifically focuses on hidden strength or deceptive capability.
పేరు గొప్ప, ఊరు దిబ్బ
peru goppa, uru dibba
The name is great, but the village is a mound.
Used to describe a situation where someone or something has a grand reputation or a fancy name, but the actual reality is disappointing, poor, or hollow. It is similar to the English expression 'All that glitters is not gold' or 'Big name, no substance'.
చూడబోతే వెండిగిన్నె తాగబోతే వెలితిగిన్నె
chudabote vendiginne tagabote velitiginne
If you look at it, it's a silver bowl; if you try to drink from it, it's an empty bowl.
This expression describes something that looks grand, expensive, or promising on the outside but is actually empty, useless, or disappointing upon closer inspection or when put to use. It is used to mock pretentiousness or things that lack substance despite their attractive appearance.
చుట్టం కదా అని చూడబోతే దయ్యమై పట్టుకుందట
chuttam kada ani chudabote dayyamai pattukundata
When visited thinking they were a relative, they caught hold like a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where you approach someone out of kindness, goodwill, or a sense of relationship, but they end up becoming a source of trouble, harassment, or a burden. It signifies that a person you expected help or comfort from turned out to be toxic or problematic.
తలుపు తెంచుకున్న బర్రె, తాడు తెంచుకున్న గుర్రం
talupu tenchukunna barre, tadu tenchukunna gurram
A buffalo that broke the door, a horse that snapped its rope.
This expression is used to describe someone who has become completely uncontrollable, unruly, or has broken free from all restraints and discipline. It refers to a state of absolute chaos or a person acting without any inhibition or regard for rules, similar to the English phrase 'running wild' or 'loose cannon'.
బావ అని చూడబోతే రావా అని కొంగు పట్టుకున్నాడట.
bava ani chudabote rava ani kongu pattukunnadata.
When she looked at him as a brother-in-law, he grabbed her saree hem saying 'wont you come?'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone mistakes another person's kindness or respect for weakness and tries to take undue advantage of them. It highlights the behavior of people who respond to decency with disrespect or inappropriate advances.
చూడ చుంచెలుక, గోడలు తవ్వ పందికొక్కు
chuda chuncheluka, godalu tavva pandikokku
To look at, it is like a musk rat, but to dig into walls it is like a bandicoot. Insignificant in appearance, but having the power of doing much harm. Little enemies and little wounds are not to be despised. (German.)
This proverb is used to describe someone who appears small, innocent, or harmless but is actually capable of causing significant mischief or performing surprisingly large tasks. It is similar to the English expression 'looks can be deceiving' or 'small but mighty' (often in a negative context).
ఆడబోతే చూడబుద్ది, చూడబోతే ఆడబుద్ది
adabote chudabuddi, chudabote adabuddi
When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.
This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.
అప్పను చూడబోతే టెప్పలు పోయినవి.
appanu chudabote teppalu poyinavi.
When I went to see my sister, the floats were lost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one incurs a significant loss while attempting to gain something small or perform a simple duty. It highlights how someone might lose their basic necessities or resources while pursuing an unnecessary or minor errand.
చూడబోతే చుట్టాలు, రమ్మంటే కోపాలు
chudabote chuttalu, rammante kopalu
If you visit them they are relatives, if you invite them to visit you they are angry.
This proverb describes people who claim to be close relatives or friends but avoid any real interaction, responsibility, or visit. It is used to mock hypocritical relationships where people maintain a facade of closeness but become annoyed when actually asked to participate or visit.
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