గుప్పెడు మూసి ఉన్నంతవరకే, తెరిస్తే అంతా హుళక్కి

guppedu musi unnantavarake, teriste anta hulakki

Translation

As long as the fist is closed it holds value; once opened, there is nothing inside.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation, secret, or wealth is respected only as long as it remains hidden or mysterious. Once the truth is revealed, it might turn out to be empty or disappointing. It emphasizes the power of keeping things confidential to maintain dignity or status.

Related Phrases

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.

Closing the small holes while leaving the giant sluices open.

This proverb describes a situation of false economy or poor management. It refers to someone who is overly cautious about trivial, small losses (the holes) while being completely negligent about massive, significant losses (the sluices/floodgates). It is similar to the English expression 'Penny wise and pound foolish'.

Only the bran you have stuffed into your mouth is yours.

This proverb emphasizes that only what you have already consumed or secured for yourself is truly yours. It is used to describe situations involving uncertainty or limited resources, suggesting that one should value what they have already obtained rather than relying on future promises or potential gains that may never materialize.

If you shut up her mouth she remains like a dumb woman, if you let her open her mouth she's a vixen.

This expression is used to describe a person who seems decent or tolerable as long as they stay quiet, but as soon as they start speaking, they reveal their unpleasant nature, lack of sense, or rude behavior. It emphasizes that for some people, silence is their only redeeming quality.

Flies swarm only as long as there is jaggery

This proverb is used to describe fair-weather friends or opportunistic people. It suggests that people will surround you and act as your friends only as long as you have wealth, power, or something to offer them, and they will disappear once your resources are gone.

Why does an old widow need suppressed, coy smiles?

This proverb is used to criticize someone who behaves inappropriately or flirtatiously at an age or in a situation where such behavior is considered undignified or unnecessary. It serves as a sarcastic remark about acting out of character for one's age or status.

Opening the mouth for a morsel but closing it for the bridle.

This expression describes someone who is very eager and cooperative when there is a benefit (like being fed) but becomes uncooperative or stubborn when there is work to be done or discipline to be maintained (like being bridled). It is used to mock people who are opportunistic and shirk responsibilities.

A handful if stripped/plucked, but nothing if it falls off on its own.

This proverb is used to describe things that appear abundant or significant when forcefully gathered or managed, but turn out to be insignificant, empty, or nonexistent when they occur naturally or fail. It is often used to refer to hair (which looks like a lot when held together but is nothing when shed) or to describe situations where the perceived value vanishes upon closer inspection or over time.

If it rains during Ashwini (Karti), it results in total loss.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb referring to the 'Ashwini Karti' period (usually mid-April). It suggests that rainfall during this specific time is detrimental to crops that are ready for harvest or in specific growth stages, leading to significant financial loss for farmers.

Whether a blind eye is open or closed, it is the same.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or a person that is completely useless or ineffective regardless of the circumstances. It implies that certain actions or changes make no practical difference to the final outcome because the underlying capability is missing.