ఈ పొడుము పీల్చనీవే, నీ పాడె బిగిస్తానన్నాడట.
i podumu pilchanive, ni pade bigistanannadata.
Let me inhale this snuff first, then I will tie your funeral bier, he said.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely selfish, cold-hearted, or indifferent to others' suffering. It depicts a person who prioritizes a trivial personal habit or minor comfort even while performing a somber task like preparing for a funeral. It highlights a lack of empathy or a cynical attitude towards serious situations.
Related Phrases
వాళ్ళు పిల్ల నివ్వనన్నారు, నేను చేసుకోనన్నాను.
vallu pilla nivvanannaru, nenu chesukonannanu.
They said they wouldn't give their daughter (in marriage), and I said I wouldn't marry her.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone pretends they didn't want something only after they were rejected or denied it. It is a way of saving face or acting out of spite when things don't go one's way, similar to the concept of 'sour grapes'.
గాదె నిండా బియ్యము ఉంటే, కరువు కాలాన నా భార్యనూ పిల్లలనూ నేనే రక్షిస్తానన్నాడట.
gade ninda biyyamu unte, karuvu kalana na bharyanu pillalanu nene rakshistanannadata.
He said that he himself would support his wife and family in dearth and in plenty, so long as the bin was full of corn.
This proverb mockingly refers to people who display false bravery or self-reliance only when they are already in a secure position. It highlights that anyone can boast about taking care of responsibilities when resources are abundant, but true character or capability is only tested in times of real scarcity.
బలవంతాన పిల్లను ఇస్తానంటే, కులమేమి గోత్రమేమి అని అడిగినాడట
balavantana pillanu istanante, kulamemi gotramemi ani adiginadata
When one offered his daughter unasked to another, he was answered " What is your caste and what is your Gotra ?" When a man goes out of his way to make an unusual offer, his inten- tions are apt to be suspected.
This proverb is used to describe a person who shows unnecessary arrogance or makes fussy demands when someone is desperately trying to help them or do them a favor. It highlights the irony of a person who is in no position to negotiate but still tries to act superior or picky.
వస్తానన్నదాన్ని, ఇస్తానన్నవాణ్ణి నమ్మరాదు.
vastanannadanni, istanannavanni nammaradu.
Do not trust a woman who says she will come, nor a man who says he will give.
This traditional proverb suggests being cautious of empty promises. It highlights that intentions or verbal commitments regarding a woman's arrival or a man's generosity are often unreliable until they actually manifest. It is used as a cautionary advice against blind faith in words alone.
తెల్లనివన్నీ పాలా? నల్లనివన్నీ నీళ్లా?
tellanivanni pala? nallanivanni nilla?
Is everything white milk? Is everything black water?
This proverb warns against judging things or people based solely on their outward appearance. It suggests that first impressions or surface-level characteristics can be deceptive; just because something looks like milk doesn't mean it is pure, and just because something looks like murky water doesn't mean it is useless.
రోలు పగిలినా దిమ్మె బాగా బిగిసినది అన్నట్లు
rolu pagilina dimme baga bigisinadi annatlu
Like saying the pestle has tightened well even though the mortar is broken
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to find a positive justification for a failure or a disaster, often ignoring the gravity of the loss. It refers to an optimistic but foolish perspective where the destruction of the main tool (the mortar) is overlooked just because the handle (the pestle) fits tightly now.
ఇస్తానన్న వాణ్ణి, వస్తానన్న దాన్ని నమ్మరాదు
istananna vanni, vastananna danni nammaradu
Do not believe the man who says he will give, nor the woman who says she will come.
This proverb warns against relying on verbal promises or superficial assurances regarding material gain or romantic interest. It suggests that people often make empty promises to please others or to get out of a situation, and one should only believe actions rather than words.
పిలిస్తే బిగిస్తే సరిగాని, వస్తే వాడి అబ్బ తరమా!
piliste bigiste sarigani, vaste vadi abba tarama!
If I invite him and he is too proud to come, it will be all right; but if he does come, how shall I manage it? Said by a poor man who was obliged to show hospitality which he could ill afford.
This expression is used to describe a person who is hesitant or reluctant to start something (often due to pride or shyness), but once they begin or arrive at a place (especially for a meal or a favor), they indulge uncontrollably and are impossible to stop. It highlights the irony of someone being difficult to invite but impossible to manage once they accept.
పాలు తాగని పిల్లి ఉంటుందా?
palu tagani pilli untunda?
Is there a cat that doesn't drink milk?
This rhetorical question is used to describe a situation where someone is naturally or inevitably tempted by something they love. It is often applied when someone pretends to be disinterested in something they actually desire, or to imply that it is impossible for a person to resist a specific, habitual temptation.
తడిసిన కుక్కి బిగిసినట్లు
tadisina kukki bigisinatlu
Like a wet knot tightening further.
This expression is used to describe a situation or problem that becomes more complicated, stubborn, or difficult to resolve over time or due to certain actions. Just as a wet hemp rope or knot becomes tighter and harder to undo, some issues become increasingly rigid and unmanageable.