దయ దర్రుమంటే, నెత్తి చుర్రుమంటుంది.
daya darrumante, netti churrumantundi.
When your favor answers my call with a Darr-rr my head will ache with a Ġurr-rr.
This expression is used to describe a situation where showing excessive kindness or being overly generous to someone results in them taking advantage of you or causing you trouble. It suggests that misplaced pity can backfire and cause a headache or distress to the giver.
Darr is a whirring sound ; Ġurr is applied to acute or burning pain. Said by a man to another in whose friendship he puts no faith.
Related Phrases
కాకి కర్రుమంటే గుండె ఝల్లుమంటుంది.
kaki karrumante gunde jhallumantundi.
When the crow cawed, she started. Feigned sensitiveness.
This expression describes a state of extreme fear, anxiety, or guilt. It suggests that a person is so terrified or on edge that even a common, harmless sound like a crow's caw is enough to startle them or cause panic.
జ్ఞాతిగుర్రు అరిటికర్రు వదలవు.
jnyatigurru aritikarru vadalavu.
The stain of plantain [can never be effaced], the grum- bling of cousins never ceases.
This proverb highlights that animosity or rivalry between close relatives (gnati) is extremely persistent and difficult to get rid of, just like the stubborn stains caused by banana stem juice on clothes.
కాడు రమ్మంటుంది, ఊరు పొమ్మంటుంది
kadu rammantundi, uru pommantundi
The graveyard calls you in, while the village tells you to leave.
This proverb is used to describe an elderly person who is nearing the end of their life. It signifies that they have reached a stage where society (the village) no longer has a place for them, and death (the graveyard) is imminent. It can also be used to mock someone who is very old but still behaves with youthful greed or attachment.
కాకి కర్రుమంటే గుండె ఝల్లుమంటుంది
kaki karrumante gunde jhallumantundi
When the crow caws, the heart skips a beat
This expression describes a person who is extremely timid, superstitious, or jumpy. It refers to a state of being so fearful that even a common, harmless sound like a crow's caw causes an intense physical reaction of fright or anxiety.
ఊరు పొమ్మంటుంది, కాడు రమ్మంటుంది
uru pommantundi, kadu rammantundi
The village says "go," the cemetery says "come."
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely old or in the final stages of their life. It metaphorically suggests that the living world (the village) is ready to see them go, while the land of the dead (the graveyard) is waiting to welcome them.
About to die. He is burnt to the socket.
ఇగురం ఇల్లలికితే, నెత్తి పొయ్యలుకుతుంది.
iguram illalikite, netti poyyalukutundi.
If a clever person smears the house floor, the head gets smeared instead.
This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be overly smart or skilled but fails miserably at simple, practical tasks. It highlights the gap between one's perceived intelligence and their actual common sense or manual competence.
చుట్టూ చూరుమంగళం, నడమ జయమంగళం
chuttu churumangalam, nadama jayamangalam
The eaves are all in good order, and there is a joyful song in the court. Expressive of prosperity.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is putting on a show of success or celebration despite being surrounded by ruin or failure. It mocks a person who acts grandly while their basic environment or affairs are in shambles, similar to a house with a leaking roof (choorumangalam) having a grand celebration (jayamangalam) inside.
చుట్టూ చూరుమంగళం, నడుమ జయమంగళం
chuttu churumangalam, naduma jayamangalam
Eaves burning all around, while singing songs of victory in the middle.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where everything surrounding a person is falling apart or in ruins, yet they remain oblivious or falsely celebratory about their own central position. It mockingly refers to someone celebrating a 'victory' while their entire support system or house is actually on fire.
చంకనెత్తుకుంటే ముద్దు, నెత్తినెత్తుకుంటే నడమంత్రం
chankanettukunte muddu, nettinettukunte nadamantram
If carried on the hip, it is affection; if carried on the head, it is a nuisance.
This proverb highlights the importance of maintaining boundaries and limits. It suggests that while showing affection or giving support is good, over-indulging someone or giving them too much freedom/authority can lead to them becoming a burden or acting out of place. It is often used to warn against spoiling children or being overly lenient with subordinates.
గురువుకు తిరుమంత్రం చెప్పినట్లు.
guruvuku tirumantram cheppinatlu.
Like teaching the sacred mantra to the teacher.
This expression is used when someone tries to teach or advise an expert or a mentor in their own field of expertise. It describes a situation where an amateur or a student attempts to lecture someone who is far more knowledgeable or experienced than themselves.