ఇల్లెక్కి కొరివి తిప్పినట్టు
illekki korivi tippinattu
Getting on the roof [ of a thatched house ] and whirling a firebrand.
This expression is used to describe a person's foolish or self-destructive behavior that brings harm or ruin to their own family or reputation. Just as waving a firebrand while standing on a thatched roof will inevitably set the house on fire, this phrase refers to actions that are blatantly dangerous and guarantee self-inflicted disaster.
Related Phrases
తిన మరిగిన కోడి ఇల్లెక్కి కూసిందట
tina marigina kodi illekki kusindata
The chicken that got used to eating well ended up crowing from the rooftop.
This proverb is used to describe a person who becomes overly bold, arrogant, or demanding after being pampered or given too much freedom. It suggests that when someone is treated with excessive indulgence, they lose their sense of boundaries and start acting in a disrespectful or entitled manner.
కొరివితో కొప్పు గోకుకొన్నట్టు
korivito koppu gokukonnattu
Like scratching one's head with a firebrand. Applied to the use of bad agents.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone knowingly invites trouble or performs an action that is bound to result in self-harm or disaster. It refers to someone who is so foolish or reckless that they use a burning stick to scratch their head, leading to inevitable injury.
అతివినయం ధూర్త లక్షణం
ativinayam dhurta lakshanam
Excessive humility is a sign of a wicked person.
This expression is used to caution that when someone acts overly humble or excessively polite beyond what is natural, they likely have hidden motives or are trying to deceive you. It suggests that extreme submissiveness often masks a cunning nature.
తలంత బలమున్నా, తల కొరివి పెట్టేవాడు లేడు
talanta balamunna, tala korivi pettevadu ledu
Even with strength the size of a mountain, there is no one to perform the final rites.
This proverb highlights a tragic situation where a person might have achieved great power, wealth, or physical strength during their lifetime, yet lacks a family member or a son to perform their funeral rites (specifically lighting the funeral pyre). It is used to describe the irony of being powerful in life but helpless and lonely in death.
నానా రుచులు మరిగి నాలుక మీద కొరివి పెట్టుకున్నట్టు
nana ruchulu marigi naluka mida korivi pettukunnattu
All kinds of savours run over my tongue, [and taste] just as if a firebrand was put on it. Said by a man to a wretched cook.
This proverb describes a situation where someone who has enjoyed many luxuries or pleasures finds it extremely difficult and painful to adjust to a life of hardship or poverty. It highlights the agony of losing a comfortable lifestyle.
కొట్టినా వంగని కొడుకు, తిప్పినా తిరగని మీసం
kottina vangani koduku, tippina tiragani misam
A son who doesn't bend even if beaten, and a mustache that doesn't turn even if twisted.
This expression refers to things that are useless or ineffective because they lack their essential quality. It describes a son who is stubborn or lacks character despite discipline, and a mustache (a symbol of pride or virility) that lacks the stiffness or shape it is supposed to have. It is used to mock things that fail to live up to their expected purpose or dignity.
కొంటె కొరివి అమ్మితె అడివి
konte korivi ammite adivi
To buy is like a torch: to sell a wilderness.
This has reference to the price one gets and one has to pay while buying and selling. Neither buying nor selling is profitable to the needy.
కుక్కకు పెత్తనమిస్తే, చెప్పులన్నీ కొరికి పెట్టినదట
kukkaku pettanamiste, cheppulanni koriki pettinadata
If you give authority to a dog, it will bite all the sandals.
This proverb is used to describe the consequences of giving power or responsibility to an incompetent, unworthy, or foolish person. Instead of performing the duties properly, such a person will only cause destruction or focus on their base instincts, similar to how a dog given authority over a house would simply ruin the footwear.
తలక్రింది కొరివి
talakrindi korivi
A firebrand under the head
This expression refers to a constant, self-inflicted danger or a situation where one harbors something extremely risky or harmful. It is often used to describe keeping an untrustworthy person close or maintaining a habit that will eventually lead to one's own destruction.
తలకింది కొరివి
talakindi korivi
A brand under one's head.
This expression refers to a constant, self-inflicted danger or a source of perpetual anxiety that one keeps close by. It is used to describe a situation where a person maintains a relationship or makes a choice that poses a continuous threat to their own peace or safety, much like sleeping with a burning torch beneath one's head.
A dangerous companion.