గుంతకు వస్తే మరదలు మిట్టకు వస్తే వదిన
guntaku vaste maradalu mittaku vaste vadina
If in a ditch she is a sister-in-law (younger); if on a mound she is a sister-in-law (elder).
This expression is used to describe opportunistic behavior. It refers to a person who changes their relationship or attitude towards someone based on the situation or their own convenience. In this context, calling someone 'maradalu' implies a more casual or lower-status relationship when things are difficult (ditch), while calling them 'vadina' implies a more respectful or distant relationship when things are better (mound). It characterizes a fair-weather friend or someone who is inconsistently respectful.
Related Phrases
వయస్సు వస్తే సరసం వస్తుందా?
vayassu vaste sarasam vastunda?
Does romance/wit come just because one has reached a certain age?
This expression is used to remark that maturity, wit, or a sense of humor (sarasam) do not automatically develop just because a person grows older. It is often used to criticize someone who is old enough but lacks social grace, romantic sensibility, or intelligence.
మొదలే మన్ను, కరువు వస్తే గడ్డలు.
modale mannu, karuvu vaste gaddalu.
Nothing but earth to begin with, and by want of rain, clods.
This expression is used to describe a situation that was already bad or mediocre, which then became significantly worse due to additional hardships. It implies that when resources are already scarce or of poor quality, any further calamity makes the situation unbearable or impossible to manage.
Worse and worse.
గోరు వాస్తే వేలంత, వేలు వాస్తే కాలంత, కాలు వాస్తే రోలంత, రోలు వాస్తే ఎంత?
goru vaste velanta, velu vaste kalanta, kalu vaste rolanta, rolu vaste enta?
If the nail swell, [it will be ] as big as the finger; if the finger swell, [it will be ] as big as the leg; if the leg swell, [it will be ] as big as a mortar; if the mortar swell, how big [ will it be ? ] Said in ridicule of a logician.
This is a humorous and logical Telugu proverb or riddle used to describe exaggeration or the concept of exponential growth/inflation. It highlights how a small issue, if left unchecked or exaggerated, can become absurdly large. It is often used to mock someone who is blowing things out of proportion or to point out the logical fallacy in a sequence of exaggerations.
ఏరు వస్తే వాన వెలుస్తుంది.
eru vaste vana velustundi.
When the river arrives, the rain stops.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a minor concern or source of relief is superseded by a larger event, or specifically, that once a major outcome is achieved (the river flowing), the preliminary signs (the rain) are no longer needed. It is often used to imply that after a long-awaited result occurs, the struggles leading up to it come to an end.
చవక వస్తే బజారుకు వస్తుంది
chavaka vaste bajaruku vastundi
If it becomes cheap, it comes to the marketplace.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is only willing to do something or offer their services when it requires very little effort or when the risk is extremely low. It is often used to mock someone who avoids responsibility or hard work but suddenly appears when things become easy or free.
ఏడ్చేదాని మొగుడు వస్తే, ఏకు వడికేదాని మొగుడూ వస్తాడు.
edchedani mogudu vaste, eku vadikedani mogudu vastadu.
If the crying woman's husband returns, the spinning woman's husband will also return.
This proverb is used to convey that time and circumstances are the same for everyone. If a favorable event happens for one person, similar relief or results will eventually come to others in a similar situation. It suggests patience and the universal nature of fate or timing.
వెనకకు వెళ్తే తన్ను, ముందుకు వస్తే పోటు
venakaku velte tannu, munduku vaste potu
If you go behind you are kicked, if you go in front you are gored.
This expression describes a 'no-win' situation or a dilemma where both available options lead to a negative outcome. It is similar to the English idioms 'Between a rock and a hard place' or 'Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.' It is used when a person is stuck between two equally unpleasant alternatives.
Not to be pleased in any way.
ఊరికే వస్తే మావాడు మరి ఒకడు ఉన్నాడు
urike vaste mavadu mari okadu unnadu
If they are to be had for nothing, I have a relative here. Wishing to get two shares. Greediness.
This proverb is used to criticize people who are overly greedy and try to exploit someone's generosity. It describes a situation where if something is offered for free, a person not only takes it for themselves but also asks for more for their relatives or friends, showing no shame in their greed.
డబ్బుకు వచ్చిన చెయ్యే వరహాకు వస్తుంది.
dabbuku vachchina cheyye varahaku vastundi.
The hand that comes for a small coin (dabbu) will also come for a gold coin (varaha).
This proverb is used to warn that a person who starts with small dishonest acts or petty thefts will eventually gain the audacity to commit much larger crimes. It highlights how bad habits or greed escalate over time if not checked early.
దాలిగుంట వారు తామర గుంటకు, తామరగుంట వారు దాలిగుంటకు వచ్చినట్లు
daligunta varu tamara guntaku, tamaragunta varu daliguntaku vachchinatlu
Like people of the ash-pit going to the lotus-pond, and people of the lotus-pond going to the ash-pit.
This expression refers to a situation where two parties exchange places or switch roles, often resulting in both being out of their natural or comfortable element. It describes an unnecessary or mismatched swap where the change doesn't benefit either side, similar to 'the grass is always greener' mentality leading to poor decisions.