ఏడుగురిని మారిస్తే పెద్ద గౌడసాని.
edugurini mariste pedda gaudasani.
After changing seven husbands, one becomes a senior village elder's wife.
This proverb is a sarcastic comment used to describe a person who, despite having a questionable or immoral past, tries to act very righteous, dignified, or authoritative in the present. It highlights the hypocrisy of someone demanding respect after committing many wrongs.
Related Phrases
ముగ్గురిని కూర్చెరా మూల దేవుడు
muggurini kurchera mula devudu
Alas! God has collected three of us. Said by one of a number of helpless people.
This expression refers to the divine trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) or more commonly in a social context, it refers to the destiny or 'unavoidable union' of people or events. It is often used to signify that certain relationships, groups, or life situations are orchestrated by a higher power or fate and cannot be easily undone.
పనికి బడుగు, తిండికి పెడుగు
paniki badugu, tindiki pedugu
Weak for work, a thunderbolt for food
This expression is used to describe a lazy person who avoids physical labor or responsibilities by pretending to be weak or tired, but shows immense energy and appetite when it comes to eating. It is often used sarcastically to criticize someone's lack of productivity compared to their consumption.
ఇస్తే పెళ్ళి, లేకపోతే పేటాకులు
iste pelli, lekapote petakulu
If given, it's a wedding; if not, it's total destruction.
This expression describes an extreme, 'all or nothing' attitude or a situation that results in either a grand celebration or complete ruin. It is often used to characterize people who are unpredictable and prone to overreacting—becoming overly generous when happy but destructive or hostile when they don't get their way.
పెద్దలేని ఊరికి పోతురాజే పెద్ద
peddaleni uriki poturaje pedda
In a village with no elders, Pothuraju (the village deity) is the elder.
In the absence of competent leaders or wise people, even an unqualified or insignificant person can assume a position of power or authority. It is used to describe a situation where someone takes charge simply because there is no one better available.
మేడసాని కులానికి మంగసాని డోలు
medasani kulaniki mangasani dolu
The drum of the barber woman for the Medasani caste.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the resources, tools, or methods applied are mismatched or disproportionate to the task or the group involved. It often highlights irony or a lack of coordination where one person's actions or style do not suit the status or nature of another.
పొయ్యి అరిస్తే బంధువుల రాక - కుక్క అరిస్తే కబురు రాక
poyyi ariste bandhuvula raka - kukka ariste kaburu raka
If the stove makes a sound, relatives arrive; if a dog barks, news arrives.
This is a traditional folk belief or superstition in Telugu culture. It suggests that specific sounds or omens predict future events: the crackling or whistling sound of a wood-burning stove (hearth) is seen as a sign that guests or relatives are coming, while the barking or howling of a dog is believed to precede the arrival of news or messages.
ఇస్తే పెళ్లి, ఇవ్వకపోతే పెటాకులు
iste pelli, ivvakapote petakulu
If given, a wedding; if not, crackers.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely demanding or fickle. It implies that if things go their way, they will celebrate (a wedding), but if they don't get what they want, they will create chaos or break relationships (crackers/explosions). It describes an 'all or nothing' or 'my way or the highway' attitude.
తల్లి చస్తే కడుపు పెద్ద, తల మాస్తే కొప్పు పెద్ద
talli chaste kadupu pedda, tala maste koppu pedda
When the mother dies, a man's gluttony is seen; when the head is dirty, [ a woman's ] top-knot is large [ and untidy ]. As long as the mother lives her son's greediness is concealed.
This proverb highlights how certain losses or neglects can create a false or superficial appearance of growth or prosperity. In the first part, it implies that without a mother's care and balanced feeding, a child might develop a bloated stomach due to malnutrition or poor diet, which is not true health. In the second part, it suggests that unwashed, tangled hair might look voluminous, but it is actually a sign of poor hygiene rather than healthy hair growth. It is used to describe situations where something looks substantial or 'big' only because of neglect or underlying problems.
తల్లి చస్తే కడుపు పెద్ద, తలలు మూస్తే కొప్పు పెద్ద
talli chaste kadupu pedda, talalu muste koppu pedda
When the mother dies, the stomach grows; when hair is tied, the bun looks big
This proverb highlights how people manage and move on after a loss. It suggests that once the person who feeds and cares for the family (the mother) is gone, one learns to fend for themselves or overeat out of lack of discipline, and that appearances can be deceptive or managed once the initial mourning period ends.
పెద్దతల లేకుంటే పెద్దరికం చాలదు
peddatala lekunte peddarikam chaladu
If there is no elderly head, the status of elderliness is insufficient.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of having an experienced or wise person at the helm. It suggests that without a wise leader (a big head) to guide and make decisions, simply holding a position of authority or seniority (elderliness) is not enough to manage a family or a group effectively.