దొంగలు దొంగలు కలిసి ఊళ్ళు పంచుకున్నట్టు
dongalu dongalu kalisi ullu panchukunnattu
Like thieves joining together to divide the villages among themselves.
This expression is used when two or more dishonest people or entities collaborate to share ill-gotten gains or exploit a situation for their own benefit. It describes a situation where 'honor among thieves' exists solely to ensure they can divide the loot without conflict, often at the expense of others.
Related Phrases
ఒళ్ళు వంగనివాడు దొంగలతో కలిసినాడట.
ollu vanganivadu dongalato kalisinadata.
The one who doesn't bend his body (lazy person) supposedly joined a gang of thieves.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is so lazy and averse to hard work that they prefer to take the shortcut of joining criminals rather than putting in manual effort. It highlights how laziness can lead a person toward a path of dishonesty or crime.
దొంగలు దోచిన కొంప
dongalu dochina kompa
A house looted by thieves
This expression is used to describe a place that is in a state of absolute chaos, emptiness, or total disarray. It can refer to a house that looks messy or, metaphorically, to a situation where everything of value (be it materials, ideas, or assets) has been stripped away, leaving behind a scene of devastation or utter disorder.
దొంగను తేలు కుట్టినట్టు
donganu telu kuttinattu
Like a robber stung by a scorpion. A man does not cry out when he suffers from his own folly.
This expression describes a situation where someone is suffering or facing a problem but cannot complain or cry out for help because doing so would reveal their own wrongdoings or secrets. Just as a thief cannot scream when stung by a scorpion while stealing for fear of getting caught, it refers to a state of silent, helpless suffering.
దోసకాయలు తిన్న కడుపు, దొంగలు పడ్డ ఇల్లు ఒకటే.
dosakayalu tinna kadupu, dongalu padda illu okate.
A stomach filled with cucumbers and a house robbed by thieves are the same.
This proverb highlights that certain efforts or possessions provide no lasting value or substance. Just as a stomach feels full after eating cucumbers but becomes empty very quickly due to their high water content, a house after a robbery is left with nothing. It is used to describe situations that result in emptiness or a lack of substantial benefit despite initial appearances.
ఆకాశవీధిలో కొంగలు, అంగడి వీధిలో దొంగలు
akashavidhilo kongalu, angadi vidhilo dongalu
Cranes in the sky street, thieves in the market street.
This expression is used to describe things that are found in their natural or expected habitat. Just as it is natural to see birds flying in the sky, it is common to find pickpockets or dishonest people in crowded marketplaces. It serves as a reminder to be cautious in specific environments where certain risks are inherent.
దొంగకు దొంగ తోడు
dongaku donga todu
A thief is a companion to another thief
This expression is used to describe how people with similar bad habits, questionable characters, or dishonest intentions tend to support and protect each other. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Birds of a feather flock together' or 'Honor among thieves', often used in a negative context to highlight collusion between wrongdoers.
దొంగలూ దొంగలూ కలిసి ఊళ్ళు పంచుకొన్నట్లు.
dongalu dongalu kalisi ullu panchukonnatlu.
Like thieves joining together to divide the villages among themselves.
This expression is used to describe a situation where corrupt or wicked people collaborate to share spoils or ill-gotten gains. It highlights a conspiracy where individuals with no integrity cooperate solely for mutual benefit at the expense of others.
దొంగను దొంగ ఎరుగును
donganu donga erugunu
A thief is known by a thief. A thief knows a thief, as a wolf knows a wolf.
This proverb implies that people of the same kind, especially those with malicious or secretive habits, can easily recognize each other's traits or motives. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'It takes one to know one' or 'Birds of a feather flock together.'
దొంగ సంగతి దొంగకే ఎరుగును
donga sangati dongake erugunu
Only a thief knows the secrets of another thief
This proverb implies that people of the same kind, especially those involved in deceptive or specific activities, understand each other's tactics and mindsets better than outsiders. It is used to suggest that it takes one to know one.
లింగధారికన్న దొంగలు లేరయా
lingadharikanna dongalu leraya
There are no thieves greater than those who wear the Lingam (religious symbols).
This expression is used to critique religious hypocrisy. It suggests that people who put on outward displays of piety or wear religious symbols (like the Lingam) can sometimes be the most deceitful, using their holy appearance as a cover for their dishonest actions.