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.
Related Phrases
కార్యంనాడు తలవంచుకొని కలకాలం తలెత్తి తిరుగవచ్చును.
karyamnadu talavanchukoni kalakalam taletti tirugavachchunu.
By bowing your head on the day of work, you can walk with your head held high forever.
This expression emphasizes the importance of humility, hard work, and patience during the process of achieving a goal. It suggests that if one is willing to work humbly and endure hardships while a task is being performed (or while learning), they will earn the respect and success needed to live proudly for the rest of their life.
చచ్చిన పామును చావగొట్టినట్లు
chachchina pamunu chavagottinatlu
Like beating a dead snake to death
This expression is used to describe an act of repetitive or redundant effort. It refers to someone who keeps attacking or criticizing a person or a situation that is already defeated or resolved, essentially wasting energy on something that no longer poses a threat or needs further action.
తలపాగా చుట్టలేక తల వంకర అన్నట్లు
talapaga chuttaleka tala vankara annatlu
Like saying the head is crooked because one doesn't know how to tie a turban
This expression describes a situation where someone blames external factors or others for their own lack of skill or failure. It is similar to the English proverb: 'A bad workman always blames his tools.'
పాములు లేనివాడు వానపామును పట్టుకున్నట్లు
pamulu lenivadu vanapamunu pattukunnatlu
Like a man who doesn't have snakes catching an earthworm
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks real skill or courage but tries to act brave or show off by tackling something harmless or insignificant. It highlights a situation where someone settles for a weak imitation because they are incapable of handling the real thing.
అనుములు తింటూ మినుములు పెట్టినట్లు
anumulu tintu minumulu pettinatlu
Eating field beans while offering black gram
This proverb describes a situation where someone enjoys something superior or valuable for themselves while offering something inferior or cheaper to others. It is used to point out hypocrisy, selfishness, or a disparity in treatment where the person in power keeps the best resources and gives away the lesser ones.
అన్నీ పాములు తలకాయ వెళ్లబెట్టితే, ఏలిక పాము గూడ వెళ్లబెట్టిందట
anni pamulu talakaya vellabettite, elika pamu guda vellabettindata
When all the snakes raised their heads, the earthworm also raised its head.
This proverb is used to mock someone who tries to imitate or compete with people of much higher status, capability, or importance, despite lacking the same qualities. It highlights the absurdity of an insignificant person trying to act like a significant one.
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.
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.
జవ్వాది పూసుకొని చంకలెత్తినట్లు
javvadi pusukoni chankalettinatlu
Like lifting one's armpits after applying civet perfume.
This proverb describes a person who becomes overly arrogant, showy, or boastful over a small achievement or a newly acquired status/possession. It is used to mock someone who is behaving with excessive pride or showing off in an undignified manner.
కాలికి బలపం కట్టుకొని, కడప ముగ్గులు పెట్టుతాడు.
kaliki balapam kattukoni, kadapa muggulu pettutadu.
Tying chalk to his feet, he draws patterns on the thresholds.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is constantly wandering or traveling without rest. Just as a chalk piece tied to a foot would leave marks everywhere the person walks, this expression mocks or highlights a person who cannot stay in one place and is always on the move.