దొంగను దోస్తే దాదులేరు, ఫిర్యాదులేదు.
donganu doste daduleru, phiryaduledu.
If a thief is robbed, there is no savior and no complaint.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person who acquired something through dishonest means loses it to someone else. In such cases, the original thief cannot seek justice or complain to the authorities because their own possession was illegal in the first place. It is similar to the concept of 'no honor among thieves.'
Related Phrases
పాపమని పక్కటెముక ఇస్తే, పీక్కోలేక ఫిర్యాదు చేసినట్లు
papamani pakkatemuka iste, pikkoleka phiryadu chesinatlu
When a rib was given out of pity, he complained because he couldn't pull it out and eat it.
This expression is used to describe an ungrateful person who, after receiving extreme help or a sacrifice from someone, complains about the difficulty of utilizing that help. It highlights the height of ingratitude where someone helps you at their own cost, but you find fault in the assistance provided.
జోడులేని బ్రతుకు త్రాడులేని బొంగరము.
joduleni bratuku traduleni bongaramu.
A life without a partner is like a spinning top without a string.
This proverb highlights the importance of companionship. Just as a top cannot spin or find direction without a string to guide it, a person's life without a life partner is seen as aimless, unstable, or lacking support and control.
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.
తాడు లేకుండా బొంగరం ఆడించేవాడు
tadu lekunda bongaram adinchevadu
One who spins a top without a string
This expression is used to describe an extremely clever, manipulative, or resourceful person who can achieve results or control situations without the conventional tools or means. It can be used both as a compliment for someone's ingenuity or as a cautionary remark about a master manipulator.
తాను దొంగైతే, పరులను నమ్మడు.
tanu dongaite, parulanu nammadu.
If one is a thief themselves, they will not trust others.
This proverb describes a psychological projection where a person who is dishonest or lacks integrity assumes that everyone else is also deceitful. It is used to point out that one's own character often dictates how they perceive and judge the character 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.'
ఏనాడు లేనిది ఎజ్జిగడ్డ చారు
enadu lenidi ejjigadda charu
Something that never happened before: Wild onion soup.
This expression is used to describe a sudden, unusual, or hypocritical change in behavior or circumstances. It is often applied when someone who is usually stingy or indifferent suddenly shows unexpected kindness or performs an unusual act, implying that the action is out of character or has an ulterior motive.
అంతా తెలిసినవాడూ లేడు, ఏమీ తెలియనివాడూ లేడు.
anta telisinavadu ledu, emi teliyanivadu ledu.
There is no one who knows everything, and there is no one who knows nothing.
This proverb emphasizes that knowledge is vast and no single person can claim absolute mastery over all subjects. Similarly, every person, no matter how uneducated or simple, possesses some form of unique knowledge or skill. It is used to promote humility among the learned and respect for everyone's inherent wisdom.
అంతనాడు లేదు, ఇంతనాడు లేదు, సంతనాడు పెట్టింది ముంతంత కొప్పు
antanadu ledu, intanadu ledu, santanadu pettindi muntanta koppu
Not on that day, not on this day, but on the market day she tied a bun as big as a pot.
This proverb describes a person who remains idle or neglected for a long time but chooses the most busy or inappropriate moment to show off or act. It is used to mock someone who exhibits excessive vanity or performs a task with exaggerated effort only when there is an audience or when it is inconvenient for others.
నోటికీ చేతికీ అడ్డులేదు
notiki chetiki adduledu
There is no barrier between the mouth and the hand.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks self-control or discipline. It usually refers to someone who eats excessively without restraint or someone who speaks impulsively and acts recklessly without thinking of the consequences.