గాడిదముండా! ఏటేటా కంటావేలనే? అంటే నాకు కోపమొస్తే నడుమ కూడా కంటాను అన్నదట.
gadidamunda! eteta kantavelane? ante naku kopamoste naduma kuda kantanu annadata.
When asked, 'You donkey! Why do you give birth every year?', it replied, 'If I get angry, I will give birth in the middle of the year too.'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person, when questioned about their mistakes or undesirable repetitive behavior, responds with defiance or a threat to do even worse instead of rectifying themselves. It highlights stubbornness and a lack of remorse.
Related Phrases
విడవమంటే పాముకు కోపం, పట్టమంటే కప్పకు కోపం.
vidavamante pamuku kopam, pattamante kappaku kopam.
If told to let go, the snake gets angry; if told to catch, the frog gets angry.
This proverb describes a dilemma or a 'catch-22' situation where any decision made will result in someone being offended or a negative outcome. It is used when a person is stuck between two conflicting parties or choices where satisfying one inevitably displeases the other.
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
కుక్క తోక వంకర, ఎంతటికీ గుణము మానను అన్నదట.
kukka toka vankara, entatiki gunamu mananu annadata.
A dog's tail is crooked; it said it won't change its nature.
This expression is used to describe a person who refuses to change their inherent bad habits or character, regardless of how much advice they receive or how much effort is made to reform them. It is similar to the English proverb 'A leopard cannot change its spots'.
కాదు కాదు అంటే నాది నాది అన్నాడట.
kadu kadu ante nadi nadi annadata.
When one said "Kādu, Kādu" the other said "Nādi, Nādi."
This proverb describes a situation where someone persistently tries to claim ownership or credit for something even after being explicitly told it doesn't belong to them or is incorrect. It is used to mock people who are shamelessly stubborn or opportunistic despite being rejected.
Kādu in Telugu means " it is not," "no;" in Tamil it signifies " the ear." A Telugu man on one occasion accidentally stuck the barb of his spear into a Tamilian's ear, on which the latter cried out "Kādu! Kādu!" ( My ear! my ear! ) The Telugu man thinking he meant to say " Not yours, not yours" pulled at the spear all the harder, saying "Nādi! Nādi!" (It's mine! it's mine!). Said to a man who is obstinate in argument.
ఎక్కుమంటే ఎద్దుకు కోపం, దిగుమంటే కుంటివానికి కోపం
ekkumante edduku kopam, digumante kuntivaniki kopam
If you say "Mount," the bullock is angry; if you say "Get off" the lame man is angry.
This proverb describes a 'no-win' or 'catch-22' situation where any decision made will upset someone involved. It is used when a person is caught between two parties with conflicting interests, where satisfying one inevitably displeases the other.
It is hard to please every one. (Dutch.)*
కాదు కాదు అంటే నాది నాది అన్నాడట
kadu kadu ante nadi nadi annadata
When one said 'No, no', the other said 'It's mine, it's mine'.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely greedy or opportunistic. It refers to a situation where a person tries to claim ownership of something even when others are denying it belongs to them or trying to distance themselves from it. It highlights a tendency to grab everything available without considering whether it is appropriate or right.
కరవమంటే కప్పకు కోపం, విడవమంటే పాముకు కోపం.
karavamante kappaku kopam, vidavamante pamuku kopam.
If asked to bite, the frog would be angry; if asked to let go, the snake would be angry.
This refers to a situation when there are two disputing parties and advising either of them to compromise or withdraw from the dispute will be rejected by both. On those occasions, it is wise to keep quiet.
కోడలు కొడుకును కంటానంటే, వద్దనే అత్త ఉంటుందా?
kodalu kodukunu kantanante, vaddane atta untunda?
If a daughter-in-law says she will give birth to a son, would any mother-in-law say no?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers to do something that is universally beneficial or highly desired. It implies that no one in their right mind would refuse a proposal that brings mutual profit or happiness. It is often used when a deal or suggestion is so good that acceptance is a foregone conclusion.
గాడిదకు తన కూత కమ్మగానే ఉంటుంది
gadidaku tana kuta kammagane untundi
To a donkey, its own braying sounds sweet.
This proverb is used to describe people who are unaware of their own flaws or lack of talent, often thinking highly of their own mediocre or annoying actions. It is similar to the English expression 'Every cook praises his own broth' or 'To each his own.' It can also be used to point out that personal bias makes one's own work or family appear perfect despite obvious faults.
విడువుమంటే పాముకు కోపము, పట్టుమంటే కప్పకు కోపము
viduvumante pamuku kopamu, pattumante kappaku kopamu
If you say "let it go" the snake will be angry, if you say "hold it" the frog will be angry. A difficulty in pleasing both parties in the settlement of a dispute. It is hard to please a' parties. (Scotch.)
This proverb describes a difficult dilemma or a 'no-win' situation where any decision made will inevitably offend or hurt one of the parties involved. It is used when a person is caught between two conflicting interests and is unable to please everyone.