ఎత్తుకొని తిన్న బోలె ఎదురుగా వస్తే, చంకనున్న బోలె సలాం చేసిందట.
ettukoni tinna bole eduruga vaste, chankanunna bole salam chesindata.
When the pot that was stolen and eaten from came face to face, the pot under the armpit saluted it.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person who has committed a large-scale or blatant theft or mistake meets someone who has done a smaller, hidden one. It implies that when a big thief encounters a bigger one, the smaller thief pays respect out of fear or recognition of shared guilt. It satirizes the hierarchy and mutual recognition among dishonest people.
Related Phrases
ఎత్తుకుంటే చంకలో ఉండదు, దించితే దిగువన ఉండదు.
ettukunte chankalo undadu, dinchite diguvana undadu.
If picked up, it won't stay in the armpit; if put down, it won't stay on the ground.
This proverb describes a highly restless, fickle, or hyperactive person (often a child) who cannot find comfort or stability anywhere. It is used to characterize something that is difficult to manage or someone who is constantly dissatisfied regardless of their situation.
తొత్తుకొక బొల్లిమేక
tottukoka bollimeka
A spotted goat for every maidservant.
This expression is used to describe a situation of excessive extravagance or unnecessary distribution of resources. It refers to someone who is so foolishly generous or wealthy that they give away valuable items (like spotted goats) even to those who do not require or deserve them, often leading to their own ruin.
అడుక్కుతిన్నా బొలె ఆసాగా ఉండాలి
adukkutinna bole asaga undali
Even if one lives by begging, the bowl should be held with dignity.
This proverb emphasizes that no matter how low one's financial or social status is, one should maintain their self-respect and dignity. It is used to suggest that even in poverty, one must carry themselves with a certain level of pride and orderliness.
స్వాతి సముద్రాన్ని చంకన బెట్టుకొస్తుంది
svati samudranni chankana bettukostundi
Swati carries the ocean under her armpit
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely efficient, resourceful, or capable of achieving seemingly impossible tasks with ease. It highlights extraordinary skill or the power of specific timing (referring to the Swati Nakshatram/star) where a small effort leads to a massive result.
మేకపిల్లను చంకన పెట్టుకుని ఊరంతా వెతికినట్లు
mekapillanu chankana pettukuni uranta vetikinatlu
Like carrying a kid (baby goat) under one's arm and searching the whole village for it.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is looking for something that they already possess or that is right with them. It is used to mock absent-mindedness or the act of searching far and wide for a solution that is close at hand.
ఎత్తుకొని తిన్నబోలె ఎదురుగా వస్తే, చంకన ఉన్నబోలె సలాం చేసినదట.
ettukoni tinnabole eduruga vaste, chankana unnabole salam chesinadata.
When he was met by the bowl that he used to collect alms in and eat out of, the bowl under his arm made salâm to it. A begging impostor paying a visit on one occasion to a village where he thought he was not known, kept his alms-bowl under his arm, but when he met a man carrying an old bowl that had once belonged to him, the one under his arm is said to have betrayed its owner by claiming acquaintance with its predecessor.
This proverb describes a situation where someone who has committed a mistake or a crime meets their peer or accomplice. It is used to mock people who pretend to be respectful or formal to hide their shared guilt or to highlight the irony of one thief showing respect to another thief who was more successful in their deed.
సందు దొరికితే చావడి కొట్టం చంకన బెట్టినట్లు
sandu dorikite chavadi kottam chankana bettinatlu
Like tucking the village meeting hall under one's arm just because a small gap was found.
This proverb is used to describe extremely greedy or opportunistic people who take undue advantage of a small opportunity to grab something far beyond their share or needs. It highlights the absurdity of someone trying to steal or occupy everything just because they found a slight opening or lack of supervision.
పిల్లిని చంకన పెట్టుకుని పెళ్ళికి వెళ్ళినట్టు.
pillini chankana pettukuni pelliki vellinattu.
Like going to a wedding while carrying a cat under one's arm.
This expression describes a situation where someone brings along an unnecessary burden or a nuisance while trying to perform an important task. It refers to people who create their own obstacles or distractions that make a simple or celebratory event difficult for themselves and others.
బోలెడు తిట్లయినా బొక్కెడు కొట్టలు కావు
boledu titlayina bokkedu kottalu kavu
Even a bowlful of curses will not amount to a mouthful of hits.
This proverb is used to convey that verbal abuse or mere words do not cause physical harm or result in any tangible loss. It suggests that one should ignore empty threats or insults as they lack the power to actually hurt someone, unlike physical actions.
చంకజోలె చిల్లిపోలేదు, చందలూరు కాలిపోలేదు.
chankajole chillipoledu, chandaluru kalipoledu.
The shoulder bag hasn't gotten a hole, and Chandaluru hasn't burnt down.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no immediate hurry or crisis. It suggests that there is still plenty of time to complete a task because the resources are intact and the destination is still there. It is often used to counsel patience or to justify procrastination.