డాబుసరి బావా అంటే డబ్బు లేదు మరదలా అన్నాడట
dabusari bava ante dabbu ledu maradala annadata
When she called him 'Showy Brother-in-law', he replied, 'I have no money, Sister-in-law'
This proverb is used to mock someone who puts on a grand act or maintains a high social status for show, but in reality, lacks the financial means to support it. It highlights the gap between outward pretension and inner poverty.
Related Phrases
బావా బావా అంటే పక్కలోకి రమ్మన్నాడట
bava bava ante pakkaloki rammannadata
When addressed affectionately as brother-in-law, he invited her to bed.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes undue advantage of friendliness or intimacy. It is used when a person mistakes a polite or affectionate gesture for a weakness and responds with an inappropriate or overstepping demand. It highlights the behavior of individuals who lack boundaries and exploit a relationship's closeness.
బడాయి బావగారూ అంటే, ఏమే గుడ్డికంటి మరదలా అన్నాడట
badayi bavagaru ante, eme guddikanti maradala annadata
When a woman said "O conceited brother-in-law," he answered "Well, one eyed sister-in-law."
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is criticized for their flaws or arrogance immediately retaliates by pointing out a bigger or equally hurtful flaw in the critic. It highlights a cycle of mutual insults or a situation where a person with faults tries to silence another person's valid observation with rudeness.
డబ్బున్నవాడిది బంగారు ఉంగరం, డబ్బు లేనివాడిది ఇత్తడి ఉంగరం
dabbunnavadidi bangaru ungaram, dabbu lenivadidi ittadi ungaram
The rich man's ring is gold; the poor man's ring is brass.
This proverb highlights societal bias and how people's perceptions change based on a person's financial status. It means that if a wealthy person does or says something, it is highly valued and respected (like gold), but if a poor person does the exact same thing, it is disregarded or seen as cheap (like brass).
కుక్కను అమ్మితే డబ్బు మొరుగుతుందా?
kukkanu ammite dabbu morugutunda?
If you sell a dog, will the money bark?
This proverb is used to illustrate that money obtained from any source—even through questionable or low-status means—has the same value and function as any other money. It implies that the origin of the wealth does not change its utility, often used in contexts discussing the nature of profit or earnings.
డబ్బుంటే ఢిల్లీ భోగాలు, డబ్బు లేకుంటే ఎలవడాలు.
dabbunte dhilli bhogalu, dabbu lekunte elavadalu.
If you have money, you enjoy Delhi-like luxuries; if you don't have money, you face hardships/destitution.
This expression highlights the power of wealth in determining social status and comfort. It contrasts the extreme luxury one can enjoy with money against the struggle and lack of basic respect one faces in poverty.
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.
మొగుడు అంటే ఘోష, డబ్బు అంటే ఆశ
mogudu ante ghosha, dabbu ante asha
Complaining about the husband, but greedy for the money
This expression describes a person who constantly complains about their spouse's presence or behavior but is very eager to enjoy the financial benefits and wealth provided by them. It is used to highlight hypocrisy or material greed in a relationship.
డబ్బు లేదంటే త్వరగా పొమ్మన్నట్టు
dabbu ledante tvaraga pommannattu
Saying there is no money is like asking someone to leave quickly
This expression refers to the social reality where people lose interest or hospitality when they realize there is no financial benefit or money involved. It describes how the lack of money can lead to immediate rejection or a cold shoulder in various situations.
ఎక్కడయినా బావ అనుగాని, వంగతోటలో బావ అనకు
ekkadayina bava anugani, vangatotalo bava anaku
Call me brother-in-law anywhere, but do not call me brother-in-law in the brinjal garden
This proverb highlights hypocrisy or situational convenience. It refers to someone who wants to maintain a relationship or friendship in public but refuses to acknowledge it when there is work to be done or when their personal interests (like guarding a harvest) are at stake. It is used to describe people who are friendly only when it doesn't cost them anything.
అంచు డాబే కానీ, పంచె డాబు లేదు.
anchu dabe kani, panche dabu ledu.
The border is showy, but the dhoti is not.
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to maintain a grand or flashy outward appearance while lacking actual substance, quality, or character underneath. It highlights the contrast between external showmanship and internal reality.