ఇంటి గుట్టు పొరుగు ఇళ్ళలో చెప్పే ఆడుబిడ్డ, దొంగిలించే కోడలు దొరికినట్లు
inti guttu porugu illalo cheppe adubidda, dongilinche kodalu dorikinatlu
Like finding a daughter-in-law who steals and a daughter who reveals house secrets to neighbors.
This expression describes a situation where a household faces double trouble or misfortune from within. It refers to a dysfunctional family environment where one person (the daughter) destroys the family's reputation through gossip, while another (the daughter-in-law) destroys its wealth or trust through theft. It is used to describe a combination of internal betrayals that lead to the downfall of a home.
Related Phrases
కన్నంలో దొరికిన దొంగ గతి
kannamlo dorikina donga gati
The fate of a thief caught in the hole (of a wall).
This expression describes a situation where someone is caught red-handed or trapped in a hopeless, compromising position with no possibility of escape or denial. It is used when a person's wrongdoing is exposed so clearly that they are left completely helpless and at the mercy of others.
దొంగకు దొరికిందే చాలు.
dongaku dorikinde chalu.
Whatever a thief manages to get is enough.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is in a position of loss or risk, and they should be content with whatever they can recover or save. It also implies that for a person with bad intentions, even a small gain is a victory. It is often used to suggest that one should settle for whatever is available rather than risking everything for more.
దోచుకుపోయినవాడు దొర, దొరికినవాడు దొంగ.
dochukupoyinavadu dora, dorikinavadu donga.
The one who loots and gets away is a lord, the one who gets caught is a thief.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status and justice. It suggests that if a person commits a large-scale crime but manages to escape or hide it, they are often respected as a great person or leader. However, the one who gets caught, even for a minor offense, is branded a criminal. It is used to comment on the hypocrisy of society and the flaw in identifying criminals solely based on their capture.
పొరుగింటి బిడ్డను దించి, నీటి లోతు చూచినట్లు
poruginti biddanu dinchi, niti lotu chuchinatlu
Like dropping the neighbor's child into the water to check its depth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely selfish or cautious to a fault, risking others' well-being to test a dangerous situation before committing themselves. It highlights a lack of empathy and the tendency to use others as scapegoats or guinea pigs.
దొంగకు దొరికినదే చాలును
dongaku dorikinade chalunu
A thief is content with what he gets.
This expression suggests that for someone who is gaining something through illicit means or luck rather than hard work, even a small amount is a bonus. It is used to describe situations where people should be satisfied with whatever they can get when they have no right to it in the first place.
దొరికిన సొమ్ముకు దొంగవుతాడా?
dorikina sommuku dongavutada?
Will he become a thief for the wealth he found?
This proverb is used to defend someone's character when they find something by chance rather than stealing it. It suggests that finding lost property accidentally does not make a person a criminal or a thief.
నిలవడానికి చోటు దొరికితే కూర్చోవడానికి చోటు దొరికినట్లే
nilavadaniki chotu dorikite kurchovadaniki chotu dorikinatle
If you find a place to stand, it's as if you found a place to sit.
This proverb describes people who, after being granted a small favor or a foot in the door, gradually demand more or take complete control. It is used to warn about opportunistic people who exploit initial kindness to gain a larger foothold.
దొంగిలబోతే మంగలం దొరికినది
dongilabote mangalam dorikinadi
When he went to steal, he only got an earthen dish. Disappointment in evil designs.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to commit a crime or a sneaky act with high expectations but ends up with something completely worthless or faces a disappointing outcome. It highlights the irony of a failed or unprofitable venture.
దొంగిలబోతే మంగలం దొరికిందట
dongilabote mangalam dorikindata
When one went to steal, they found a broken piece of a clay pot.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person sets out with a negative intention or a risky plan to gain something, but ends up with something completely useless or worse than what they started with. It highlights the irony of failing miserably even in a dishonest attempt.
దినము మంచిదని తెల్లవార్లూ దొంగిలినట్టు
dinamu manchidani tellavarlu dongilinattu
Trusting to the "lucky day" the thief let the dawn overtake him. Taking advantage of liberty.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who overuses or exploits a favorable situation or a piece of luck to an irrational or dangerous extent. It highlights the foolishness of losing one's sense of caution or proportion just because circumstances seem positive.