గుడిపాము కరిచినట్లు, గంగిగోవు పొడిచినట్లు

gudipamu karichinatlu, gangigovu podichinatlu

Translation

Like a temple snake biting or a sacred cow goring.

Meaning

This expression refers to being harmed by someone or something that is generally perceived as harmless, saintly, or trustworthy. It describes an unexpected betrayal or injury from a source where one only expected goodness or safety.

Related Phrases

Like piercing an ox's chest with a thorn-stick.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply hurt or offended by a direct, blunt, and painful remark or action. Just as a sharp prod causes immediate and intense pain to an ox, this phrase refers to words or deeds that strike a person at their most vulnerable or sensitive spot, causing significant emotional distress.

Like forgetting one's caste after getting heavily drunk.

This expression is used to describe a person who, due to arrogance, success, or intoxication (literal or metaphorical), forgets their roots, upbringing, or social boundaries. It refers to someone acting recklessly and losing their sense of identity or responsibility.

Death does not come even if the writing (fate) is pierced.

This expression is used to describe someone who is incredibly lucky or has survived a life-threatening situation against all odds. It implies that unless it is one's destined time to die, no amount of danger or misfortune can end their life.

Killing a sacred cow that gores you is not sin.

This proverb justifies self-defense. It implies that when someone attacks or harms you, you have the right to defend yourself or retaliate, regardless of how noble, virtuous, or superior that person is usually considered to be. Even a sacred cow (symbol of non-violence and divinity) loses its immunity if it turns aggressive.

Like cutting down the wish-granting tree for charcoal.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone destroys or wastes something extremely valuable for a trivial, minor, or short-term gain. It highlights extreme foolishness and lack of foresight.

You are strutting as if the sun rose exclusively on your face.

This expression is used to mock someone who is acting overly proud, arrogant, or self-important without any actual justification. It suggests the person thinks they are the center of the universe or have achieved something extraordinary when they haven't.

Fighting chickens will not leave even if they are pecked (hurt).

This proverb is used to describe people who are deeply committed to a rivalry or a conflict. Even when they suffer losses or injuries during the struggle, their stubbornness or animosity keeps them from backing down. It is often used to characterize persistent quarreling or long-standing feuds between individuals who refuse to reconcile despite the negative consequences.

Like the ram one raised personally coming back to butt/kick them.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is betrayed or harmed by a person they have nurtured, helped, or protected. It is similar to the English expression 'biting the hand that feeds you.' It highlights the irony and pain of facing ingratitude from those closest to us.

Like poking holes in the pots of a free water-shed.

This expression describes acts of senseless mischief or malice that harm the public good without any benefit to the perpetrator. A 'Chali-pandiri' is a traditional shed where free drinking water is offered to travelers; destroying these pots represents an especially mean-spirited act of sabotage against a selfless service.

The bite of the temple-snake, the goring of the sacred cow. An injury is none the less, though it be inflicted by a relation or friend.

This proverb describes a situation where harm or trouble comes from a source that is expected to be harmless, sacred, or benevolent. It is used when someone you trust implicitly, or a place/person associated with goodness, unexpectedly causes you grief or injury.