ఎదురుగుండా అద్దముంటే ఎక్కిరించుకో బుద్ధవుతుంది

edurugunda addamunte ekkirinchuko buddhavutundi

Translation

If there is a mirror in front of you, you feel like making faces at it.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where one's actions are solely triggered by the immediate presence of an object or opportunity, rather than necessity. It highlights how certain environments or people can provoke childish or impulsive behavior.

Related Phrases

Wherever you go, your karma (fate/actions) comes right in front of you.

This expression signifies that one cannot escape the consequences of their actions or their destiny, regardless of where they hide or travel. It is used to suggest that fate is inevitable and follows a person everywhere.

When asked 'Why were you born, Eka?', she replied 'To mock others'.

This proverb is used to describe people who have no productive purpose or skills but spend all their time criticizing, mocking, or finding faults in others. It highlights a person's uselessness combined with an annoying or negative attitude.

A small grain becomes a mountain

This expression is used to describe a situation that starts as a minor issue but escalates into a major problem, or when someone exaggerates a tiny matter into something significant. It is similar to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.

If you invite troubles and then pull your mustache, what will happen?

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone knowingly gets into trouble or creates a mess through their own actions, and then expresses frustration, anger, or despair afterwards. It highlights the futility of reacting with ego or annoyance after making a self-inflicted mistake.

If spoken, it becomes a scandal; if not spoken, it becomes a source of contempt.

This proverb describes a 'catch-22' or a dilemma where a person is stuck between two bad options. It is used when pointing out a mistake might lead to public embarrassment or unwanted drama (aaradi), but staying silent might lead others to take one's patience for granted or treat them with disrespect (alusu).

He went to mock, and fell on his back. He went out shearing and he came home shorn. The biter bit.

This expression describes a situation where someone attempts to make fun of or sabotage another person, but ends up facing an embarrassing failure or bringing trouble upon themselves instead. It is similar to the English proverb 'The tables turned' or 'To be hoist with one's own petard'.

When he had nothing else to do, he started mocking others.

This expression is used to describe someone who engages in silly, annoying, or unproductive behavior simply because they are bored or idle. It highlights that an idle mind often leads to mischief or pointless actions.

While the mouth is speaking, the forehead is mocking.

This expression is used to describe a person who is hypocritical or insincere. It suggests that while their words seem pleasant or agreeable, their facial expressions or underlying intentions betray their true, negative feelings. It can also refer to someone whose actions or expressions contradict what they are saying.

Will an onion ever become a jasmine flower? Will a mistress ever become a wife?

This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to express the idea that things have an inherent nature or status that cannot be changed. It suggests that a substitute or an informal arrangement can never truly replace or equate to the original, formal, or sanctified version of something. It is often used to emphasize that some boundaries or social roles are permanent.

As the mouth speaks, the forehead mocks.

This expression describes a situation where someone's words and their non-verbal cues (or true intentions) are contradictory. It is used to point out hypocrisy or a lack of sincerity, suggesting that while the person is saying something pleasant or formal, their facial expressions or inner attitude betray their real, often negative, feelings.