గొర్రెల గోత్రాలు, గొల్లల గోత్రాలు తోడేళ్లు చూస్తాయి
gorrela gotralu, gollala gotralu todellu chustayi
Wolves look for the lineage of sheep and the lineage of shepherds.
This proverb is used to describe predators or exploiters who wait for the right moment to strike. Just as a wolf studies the habits and backgrounds of both the sheep and the shepherds to find a weakness, cunning people observe their targets and their protectors to find an opportunity to take advantage of them. It highlights that an enemy's interest in your details is usually for malicious purposes.
Related Phrases
జీతంబత్తె లేకుండా తోడేలు గొర్రెలను కాస్తానన్నదట
jitambatte lekunda todelu gorrelanu kastanannadata
The wolf said it would guard the sheep without any salary or allowances.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person with malicious intent or a natural predator offers 'selfless' help to their prey. It warns against trusting someone who stands to benefit secretly from the very thing they are supposed to protect, highlighting hypocrisy and ulterior motives.
తల గొట్టేవానికైనా మూడు మనవులుంటాయి.
tala gottevanikaina mudu manavuluntayi.
Even a person who is about to behead someone is allowed three requests.
This proverb highlights that even in the most dire or final situations, a person should be given a fair chance to speak or be heard. It is used to suggest that everyone deserves basic respect, due process, or a final opportunity to explain themselves before a decision is finalized.
సకల శాస్త్రాలు, నిలబడి మూత్రాలు.
sakala shastralu, nilabadi mutralu.
All the scriptures [studied], while urinating standing up.
This expression is used to mock someone who possesses vast knowledge or theoretical wisdom but lacks basic discipline, manners, or practical common sense. It highlights the irony of a person who claims to be highly educated or spiritual yet behaves in a crude or unrefined manner.
గొల్లల గోత్రాలు గొర్రెలకెరుక, గొర్రెల గోత్రాలు గొల్లల కెరుక.
gollala gotralu gorrelakeruka, gorrela gotralu gollala keruka.
The sheep know the lineages of the shepherds, and the shepherds know the lineages of the sheep.
This proverb describes a relationship where two parties know each other's secrets, habits, and history intimately because they spend all their time together. It is used to suggest that one cannot hide anything from a close associate or that those who work closely together have a deep, mutual understanding of each other's affairs.
ఇల్లు కాలినా ఇల్లాలు చచ్చినా గొల్లు మానదు.
illu kalina illalu chachchina gollu manadu.
If the house be burnt or the goodwife die, there will cer- tainly be lamentations.
This expression is used to describe a person who is habitually prone to complaining or creating a ruckus regardless of the circumstances. It suggests that for some people, misery or noisy behavior is a constant trait that doesn't change even in the face of significant disasters or personal loss.
ఊరికళ గోడలే తెలుపుతాయి.
urikala godale teluputayi.
The beauty and prosperity of a village are revealed by its walls.
This expression suggests that the outward appearance or basic infrastructure of a place reflects its overall condition and the well-being of its inhabitants. In a broader sense, it means that first impressions or small details can reveal the internal state of a person, family, or organization.
కోడిని కోసి, గోత్రానికంతా పగ అయినట్లు
kodini kosi, gotranikanta paga ayinatlu
Like killing a chicken and making the whole clan enemies.
This proverb describes a situation where someone commits a small, insignificant offense or takes a trivial gain that results in a disproportionately large amount of conflict or enmity with an entire group of people. It is used to caution against actions where the 'cost' of social backlash far outweighs the 'benefit' of the act.
దోవతి పెద్దదయితే గోత్రం పెద్దదగునా?
dovati peddadayite gotram peddadaguna?
If the dhoti is large, does the lineage become great?
This proverb is used to say that outward appearance, expensive clothing, or displays of wealth do not determine a person's character, family status, or nobility. Just because someone wears fancy clothes doesn't mean they possess high virtues or a respected heritage.
కూడు ఉంటే కులగోత్రాలెందుకు
kudu unte kulagotralenduku
If there is food, why do lineage and caste matter?
This proverb highlights that basic survival and hunger take precedence over social status, caste, or background. When a person is starving, their primary concern is obtaining food (sustenance) rather than worrying about pride, pedigree, or social divisions. It is used to emphasize that necessity and practical needs are more important than superficial social identities.
సకల శబ్దాది గోత్రాణాం, పుల్లమ్మ పుత్రాణాం
sakala shabdadi gotranam, pullamma putranam
Belonging to the 'all-sounds' lineage, and being the sons of Pullamma.
This humorous expression is used to describe people who lack a proper pedigree or distinguished background but try to sound sophisticated by using high-sounding, pseudo-Sanskrit words. It is often applied to commoners who pretend to be intellectual or elite, highlighting the contrast between their grand claims ('Sakala Shabda') and their simple, ordinary reality ('Pullamma Putrulu').