ఇల్లు వెళ్లగొట్టగా విడుపుల శృంగారము, మొగుడు వెళ్లగొట్టగా మొత్తల శృంగారము

illu vellagottaga vidupula shringaramu, mogudu vellagottaga mottala shringaramu

Translation

Putting on fine clothes when turned out of the house; adorning the threshold when driven out by the husband. Trying to please when too late.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to maintain a false appearance of dignity or vanity even after facing a humiliating defeat or loss. It refers to someone who acts pretentious or focuses on superficialities when their fundamental situation is ruined or when they have been rejected.

Related Phrases

Like tidying up the stacks of pots after being kicked out of the house

This expression describes a situation where someone performs a trivial or pointless task in a desperate attempt to save face or maintain dignity while facing a major humiliation or total rejection. It refers to a person who, upon being expelled from a home, stays back to organize the kitchen pots instead of leaving immediately, showing an inability to grasp the gravity of their situation.

Inwardly bad, outwardly fair.

This expression refers to hypocrisy or deception. It describes a situation or a person who appears attractive, noble, or pleasant on the outside while being corrupt, ugly, or malicious on the inside. It is equivalent to the English concept of a 'whitened sepulchre' or 'all that glitters is not gold'.

All saint without, all devil within.

Saree is the elegance of a woman

This expression highlights that a saree is the traditional attire that enhances the beauty and grace of a woman. It is often used to emphasize cultural identity and the aesthetic appeal of traditional Indian clothing over modern styles.

A word is the ornament of a word, a fort is the ornament of a town.

This proverb emphasizes that just as a fort protects and dignifies a town, a quick and fitting reply (repartee) adds grace and completeness to a conversation. It is used to highlight the importance of effective communication and responsiveness in dialogue.

For the woman who has nothing, crying is the adornment; for the woman who has everything, her children are the adornment.

This proverb contrasts poverty and prosperity. It suggests that a person who lacks resources often resorts to complaining or seeking sympathy (crying) to gain attention, whereas a person with wealth or resources finds joy and pride in their family and possessions (children/stomach). It is used to describe how people's behaviors and sources of pride differ based on their socio-economic status.

Weeping is the ornament of a poor woman, embonpoint is the ornament of a rich woman.

This proverb highlights the difference in life's priorities and behaviors based on one's economic or social status. A person in poverty or misery often has nothing but their sorrow to express, while a wealthy or satisfied person finds beauty and fulfillment in their abundance and family. It is often used to describe how people's external expressions are dictated by their internal circumstances.

A reply for a word is the beauty of a conversation, as a fort is the beauty of a town.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of wit and timely responses in a conversation. Just as a fort provides grandeur and protection to a settlement, an apt and quick-witted reply enhances the quality and elegance of a dialogue.

Like decorating a corpse.

This expression refers to a futile or meaningless action. It describes an effort that is wasted because the recipient or the situation cannot benefit from it, just as makeup or jewelry is useless on a dead body.

Is there a romantic beauty in every abuse?

This expression is used to question someone who tries to find a positive or justifying excuse for every insult or bad behavior directed at them. It highlights that no matter how one tries to dress it up, an insult remains an insult.

Ugliness inside, beauty outside

This expression is used to describe a person who is deceptive or hypocritical. It refers to someone who maintains a polished, attractive, or virtuous appearance to the world while harboring wicked intentions, bad character, or inner turmoil. It is similar to the English phrase 'All that glitters is not gold' or 'A fair face and a foul heart'.