ఏడుపులో ఏడుపు ఎడమ చెయ్యి బయట పెట్టుమన్నట్టు.
edupulo edupu edama cheyyi bayata pettumannattu.
Show your [ withered ] left hand and add to their grief. The story is that after a marriage the bridegroom was found to be a fool, which caused much regret to the family of the bride. The bride- groom's friends then told him to show the withered state of his left hand which he had hitherto concealed. Making bad matters worse.
This proverb describes a situation where someone adds a trivial or irrelevant task/request to a person who is already in deep distress or overwhelmed by a significant problem. It is used when a person lacks empathy and makes an untimely request during a crisis.
Related Phrases
చస్తే ఒక ఏడుపు, బతికితే బతుకంతా ఏడుపు
chaste oka edupu, batikite batukanta edupu
If one dies, there is one cry; if one lives, there is crying for a lifetime.
This proverb describes a situation where life is so filled with continuous suffering, misery, or struggle that death is seen as a singular moment of grief for others, whereas living is an endless cycle of pain for the individual. It is used to highlight extreme hardship or a state of perpetual sorrow.
ఇంట్లో ఈగపులి, బయట పెద్దపులి
intlo igapuli, bayata peddapuli
At home he is a spider, abroad he is a tiger. Demure at home, a ruffian abroad. He looks as if butter would not melt in his mouth.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely timid or submissive at home (often toward a spouse or family) but displays great courage, authority, or intimidation when dealing with the outside world. It highlights the contrast between someone's private vulnerability and their public bravado.
ఏరు ఏడామడ ఉండగానే, చీర విప్పి చంకన పెట్టుకున్నట్టు
eru edamada undagane, chira vippi chankana pettukunnattu
She took off her cloth and put it under her arm, while the river was still seventy miles off.
This expression is used to describe someone who acts with premature over-preparedness or haste. It refers to people who start preparing for a task or reacting to a situation long before it is actually necessary, often appearing foolish or over-anxious in the process.
Do not strip before bed time. (French.)*
తెడ్డు ఏది అంటే, కొయ్య ఏది అన్నట్టు
teddu edi ante, koyya edi annattu
One said " Where's the ladle ?" the other said " Where's the stick ?" Two lazy fellows.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives an irrelevant, evasive, or overly literal answer to a specific question. It highlights a lack of common sense or a deliberate attempt to avoid addressing the actual point by shifting the focus to the basic material or a different subject altogether.
కడుపు కూటికి ఏడిస్తే, కొప్పు పూలకు ఏడ్చినది
kadupu kutiki ediste, koppu pulaku edchinadi
When the belly cried for food, the hair cried for flowers.
This proverb describes a situation where there is a stark contrast between basic needs and superficial desires. It is used when someone asks for luxuries or trivial things while another person is struggling for basic survival or facing a serious crisis.
వేలుకు వేలు ఎడము
veluku velu edamu
There is space between each finger. Said by a distant connexion envying the favor conferred on a near relative.
This expression is used to highlight that even closely related people or things have their own individual differences, boundaries, or limitations. It suggests that complete equality or perfect similarity is impossible, even among members of the same family or group.
నీ ఎడమ చెయ్యి తీయి, నా పుర్ర చెయ్యి పెడతాను
ni edama cheyyi tiyi, na purra cheyyi pedatanu
Take away your left hand, I will use my sinister hand.
This expression is used to describe a redundant or meaningless action where one thing is replaced by something identical or equally ineffective. It highlights a situation where there is no real change or improvement despite the movement or effort, often used to mock someone suggesting a solution that is the same as the current problem.
As broad as long.
అరవ యేడుపు
arava yedupu
Like a Tamil mourning. Among the Tamilians, women are sometimes hired to mourn over a deceased person. Applied to an unwilling performance of any duty.
This expression is used to describe excessive, loud, or dramatic wailing that often seems exaggerated or insincere. It refers to a noisy, boisterous way of expressing grief or complaining, typically used in a derogatory or mocking sense to tell someone to stop making a scene.
ఆలిని అదుపులో పెట్టలేనివాడు, అందరినీ అదుపులో పెట్టునా?
alini adupulo pettalenivadu, andarini adupulo pettuna?
One who cannot keep his wife in control, can he control everyone else?
This proverb suggests that if a person cannot manage their own domestic affairs or immediate responsibilities, they are unlikely to be capable of leading or controlling a larger group of people. It is used to mock the leadership claims of those who lack discipline in their personal lives.
పుణ్యానికి పెట్టే అమ్మా నీ మొగుడితో సమానంగా పెట్టుమన్నట్టు
punyaniki pette amma ni mogudito samananga pettumannattu
Like a beggar who said “O charitable lady, give me food like that which you give to your husband.” An absurd request.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is receiving a favor or charity for free, but instead of being grateful, they start making excessive demands or expecting to be treated like a person of high importance. It highlights the audacity and lack of gratitude in demanding equal status or premium treatment when one is getting something for nothing.