ఏలికపాము అన్నదట విషపురుగులం మా జోలికి వస్తే కరిచి చంపమా అని
elikapamu annadata vishapurugulam ma joliki vaste karichi champama ani
An earthworm supposedly said, 'We are poisonous creatures; if you mess with us, won't we bite and kill you?'
This proverb is used to mock people who lack actual power or capability but make empty, boastful threats. It highlights the irony of a harmless creature (like an earthworm) trying to appear dangerous or intimidating to others.
Related Phrases
ఎల్లపాములు తలెత్తితే ఏలికపాము తలెత్తినట్లు
ellapamulu talettite elikapamu talettinatlu
Like a roundworm raising its head when all snakes raise theirs.
This expression is used to mock someone insignificant or incompetent who tries to act important or compete when people of great stature or talent are showing their prowess. It highlights the ridiculousness of a weak person mimicking a strong person.
బిడ్డ పాముకరచి చచ్చి ఏడుస్తుంటే, విషపురుగులము- మా జోలికి వస్తే కరవక మానుతామా అన్నదట, అప్పడే బయటపడిన ఏలికపాము.
bidda pamukarachi chachchi edustunte, vishapurugulamu- ma joliki vaste karavaka manutama annadata, appade bayatapadina elikapamu.
While someone was crying because their child died of a snake bite, an earthworm that just emerged said, 'We are poisonous creatures—if you interfere with us, will we refrain from biting?'
This proverb is used to mock people who have no real power or status but try to sound dangerous or important by associating themselves with a tragedy or a powerful group. It describes an insignificant person (the earthworm) trying to act tough or claim credit for a fearsome reputation (the snake's venom) at an inappropriate or insensitive time.
పిల్లిని చంపిన పాపం నీది, బెల్లం తిన్న పాపం నాది
pillini champina papam nidi, bellam tinna papam nadi
You take the sin of killing the cat, I'll take the sin of eating your molasses. Said by a stingy Kômati to a Brahman priest to whom he had presented tha cheapest possible offering that would expiate the sin he had committed by killing a cat, viz., a little image of a cat made of molasses, which he afterwards was greedy enough to take back again and swallow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone hypocritically tries to equate a major transgression with a minor or harmless act. It highlights a person's clever but unfair way of shifting blame or normalizing their own small gains while others face the consequences of serious mistakes. It is often used to mock someone who tries to share 'blame' in a way that actually benefits them.
విషానికి విషమే విరుగుడు
vishaniki vishame virugudu
Poison is the antidote for poison.
This expression is used to suggest that a problem or an evil force can only be neutralized or countered by something of its own nature or intensity. It is similar to the English proverb 'Fight fire with fire' or 'Like cures like.'
విషములో పుట్టిన పురుగు, విషములోనే జీవిస్తుంది.
vishamulo puttina purugu, vishamulone jivistundi.
A worm born in poison lives only in poison.
This expression is used to describe individuals who are born into and raised in negative, corrupt, or toxic environments. It suggests that such people become so accustomed to their surroundings that they cannot thrive or exist anywhere else, often remaining unchanged despite external influences.
తప్పు తిని కులం మరిచినట్టు
tappu tini kulam marichinattu
Eating to excess, he forgets his caste. Said of a man who, being sumptuously entertained, forgets his low origin.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone commits a mistake or falls into bad habits and consequently forgets their roots, values, or original identity. It specifically refers to how a single improper act or a lapse in judgment can lead to a complete loss of self-respect or social standing.
విషపుంజము
vishapunjamu
A mass of poison. Wickedness.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely malicious, hateful, or full of wicked intentions. It metaphorically represents someone whose entire character is composed of 'poisonous' traits.
కాలికి చుట్టుకున్న పాము కరిచి తీరుతుంది
kaliki chuttukunna pamu karichi tirutundi
The snake that has coiled around the leg will definitely bite
This expression is used to describe a dangerous situation or a person who is relentlessly harmful. It implies that if you associate with or get trapped by something inherently dangerous or evil, it will eventually cause harm, no matter how much you try to ignore or avoid it. It is often used to warn that some problems won't just go away without consequences.
మీసాలెందుకు రాలేదురా అంటే మేనత్త పోలిక అని, గడ్డం వచ్చిందేమిరా అంటే అది మేనమామ పోలిక అన్నాడట.
misalenduku raledura ante menatta polika ani, gaddam vachchindemira ante adi menamama polika annadata.
When asked why he had no mustache, he said he resembles his paternal aunt; when asked why he had a beard, he said he resembles his maternal uncle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who gives silly, illogical, or contradictory excuses to cover up their flaws or inconsistencies. It points out the absurdity of someone who tries to justify everything with convenient but nonsensical reasoning.
విషములో పుట్టిన పురుగుకు విషమే ఆహారం.
vishamulo puttina puruguku vishame aharam.
For a worm born in poison, poison itself is the food.
This expression suggests that individuals become accustomed to the environment they are raised in, no matter how toxic or harsh it may be. It is used to describe people who have grown up in negative circumstances and therefore find those conditions normal or even necessary for their survival.