ఎముక లేని నాలుక ఎటు తిప్పినా తిరుగుతుంది

emuka leni naluka etu tippina tirugutundi

Translation

A boneless tongue can be turned in any direction.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe people who are inconsistent, make false promises, or change their words easily to suit their convenience. Since the tongue has no bone, it can 'bend' to say anything, implying that a person can lie or go back on their word without any physical restraint or moral conviction.

Related Phrases

A tongue without a bone speaks in four different ways

This expression refers to the inconsistency of human speech. Since the tongue is flexible and has no bone (naram) to keep it rigid, it can easily change its stance or twist the truth. It is used to describe people who are unreliable, go back on their word, or change their versions of a story to suit their convenience.

To roam around like a cat with a burnt paw

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely restless, anxious, or constantly moving from one place to another without being able to settle down. It typically refers to a person who is in a state of agitation or hurry.

One who has a tongue can travel in all four directions.

This proverb emphasizes the power of communication. It suggests that a person who can speak well, ask questions, and interact with others can navigate through any situation or place in the world without getting lost or stuck. Communication skills and the ability to seek help are key to survival and success.

A hand without a bone

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely generous and charitable. Just as a hand without a bone would be flexible and unable to close or withhold, it refers to someone who gives freely to others without hesitation or stinginess.

A tongueless bone can say anything.

This expression is used to describe people who make irresponsible statements, false promises, or inconsistent claims because the tongue is flexible and has no bone to restrain it. It highlights that talk is cheap and people can easily lie or change their words without consequence.

The boneless tongue turns in any way.

This proverb is used to describe people who are inconsistent with their words, lie easily, or make promises they don't intend to keep. Since the tongue has no bone to restrict its movement, it can say anything (true or false) to suit the situation or to escape accountability.

Said of a liar. He lies as fast as a dog can trot.

Sun-turning (Sunflower) and bush-turning.

This expression is used to describe someone who talks in a roundabout way or beats around the bush instead of getting straight to the point. While 'Poddu Tirugudu' refers to the sunflower following the sun, 'Donka Tirugudu' specifically refers to evasive, indirect, or circuitous speech.

The tongue without nerves goes all ways. When the conscience is dead, moral restraint disappears.

This proverb is used to describe people who are inconsistent or unreliable in their speech. Since the tongue is flexible (boneless), it can easily twist the truth, make false promises, or change versions of a story to suit the situation. It serves as a warning not to trust everything someone says blindly.

Troops without a leader.

This expression refers to a group of people or an organization that lacks a leader, authority, or disciplined guidance. It describes a situation where there is no one in control, often leading to chaos, lack of direction, or ineffective action. It is commonly used to critique groups that are unorganized or acting without coordination.

* Tyv teenker Hvermand stiacler.

A tongue without bones (nerves) speaks in many ways.

This proverb is used to describe how people can easily change their words, lie, or speak inconsistently because the tongue is flexible and lacks structural restraint. It is often a criticism of someone who makes false promises or shifts their stance conveniently.