చూడబోతే రంకు, చూడకుంటే బింకం
chudabote ranku, chudakunte binkam
If you look closely, it's a scandal; if you don't look, it's pride.
This proverb is used to describe a situation or person that appears respectable and dignified on the outside, but hides shameful or immoral secrets within. It highlights the hypocrisy of maintaining a grand public image while being corrupt or unethical in private.
Related Phrases
రవ్వ రవ్వతో తెగుతుంది కాని, రాతితో తెగుతుందా
ravva ravvato tegutundi kani, ratito tegutunda
A diamond is cut by a diamond, but can it be cut by a stone?
This proverb suggests that certain tasks or people can only be handled or influenced by their equals or counterparts. Just as a hard diamond requires another diamond to be shaped, a strong-willed or highly skilled person can only be challenged or countered by someone of similar caliber, not by an ordinary or 'stone-like' force.
చూస్తే నీది, చూడకపోతే నాది
chuste nidi, chudakapote nadi
If seen, it is yours; if not seen, it is mine
This expression refers to someone who is being dishonest or opportunistic. It describes a situation where a person tries to steal or misappropriate something and only admits to it if they are caught; otherwise, they treat it as their own. It is used to highlight hypocrisy or lack of integrity.
చిత్రం చూడండి, చీమ గుడ్డుపెట్టింది, బూటకం చూడండి బూరక గుడ్లు పెట్టింది
chitram chudandi, chima guddupettindi, butakam chudandi buraka gudlu pettindi
See the wonder, the ant has laid an egg; see the deception, the booraka fish has laid eggs.
This expression is used to mock people who tell tall tales or exaggerate trivial events as if they are miraculous. It highlights how minor or common occurrences are sometimes presented as extraordinary feats to deceive or impress the gullible.
బతికి పట్నం చూడాలి, చచ్చి స్వర్గం చూడాలి
batiki patnam chudali, chachchi svargam chudali
One must live to see the city and die to see heaven
This proverb emphasizes that experiencing the world (represented by the city) and achieving spiritual salvation (represented by heaven) are the two ultimate goals of human existence. It is often used to encourage someone to travel, experience prosperity, or enjoy life's opportunities while they are still alive.
డట్టు డట్టు డాలుకత్తి చూరులోన చురుకత్తి
dattu dattu dalukatti churulona churukatti
Dattu dattu shield and sword, a sharp knife in the eaves of the roof.
This is a rhythmic nursery rhyme or a play-chant used by children in Andhra Pradesh. While it doesn't have a deep philosophical meaning, it is often used as a rhythmic 'counting-out' rhyme or during games to create a sense of bravery and action. It describes traditional weapons like the shield and sword, and a sharp hidden knife, capturing a child's imagination of being a warrior.
చూస్తే సుంకం, చూడకపోతే బింకం
chuste sunkam, chudakapote binkam
If seen—duty ; if not seen—bragging. The allusion is to a person attempting to smuggle goods through a custom house—If caught, double duty was exacted.
This proverb refers to a situation where someone is forced to pay or follow rules only when they are caught or watched. It describes a person who pretends to be upright or arrogant ('binkam') as long as they aren't caught, but becomes submissive or pays the price ('sunkam') the moment they are under observation or caught red-handed. It is used to mock those whose integrity depends solely on being monitored.
చూస్తే నీది, చూడకుంటే నాది
chuste nidi, chudakunte nadi
If seen it's yours, if not seen it's mine. The trick of a thief or a shoplifter who, if noticed, pretends that his intentions were not dishonest.
This expression is used to describe the mindset of a thief or someone dishonest. It implies that a person will claim ownership of something only as long as they aren't caught stealing it. It highlights a lack of integrity where honesty depends entirely on being observed by others.
కంటే సుంకం, కానకుంటే బింకం
kante sunkam, kanakunte binkam
Tax if seen, pride if not seen.
This proverb describes a person who behaves dishonestly or illegally when they think they can get away with it, but acts submissive or pays up only when caught. It is used to refer to people who evade rules or taxes as long as they aren't observed, but maintain a facade of arrogance or innocence otherwise.
పాలను చూడనా భాండాన్ని చూడనా
palanu chudana bhandanni chudana
Should I look at the milk or the vessel?
This expression is used to describe a dilemma where one must choose between the quality of the content and the appearance of the container. It is often applied to situations where someone is stuck between focusing on the value of a person or object versus their external flaws or surroundings.
పాలు చూడనా, భాండాన్ని చూడనా?
palu chudana, bhandanni chudana?
Are we to look at milk or at the pot? The pot is only valued for the milk in it. The jewel is not to be valued for the cabinet.
This expression is used when someone is in a dilemma or a state of confusion between two tasks or priorities, implying that they cannot focus on one thing without worrying about the other. It describes a situation where a person is overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities.