ఇంటికి ఈలకత్తి, పొరుగుకు బంగారు కత్తి

This proverb is used to mock someone who has recently acquired wealth and is showing off excessively or behaving with newfound arrogance. It highlights how people who gain sudden status often make absurd, pretentious demands to flaunt their status, even when it is impractical or painful.

This is a traditional Telugu expression or nursery rhyme phrase used to describe someone who is being indecisive or is in a state of idle hesitation. It is often used playfully or teasingly to address someone who is just standing there without taking any action or making a move in either direction.

This expression is used to describe something that is beautiful or attractive but nonetheless harmful or dangerous. Just because a knife is made of gold, it doesn't mean it won't cut; it implies that one should not be deceived by outward elegance when the inherent nature is destructive.

This expression means that using expensive or high-quality tools does not always guarantee a superior or successful outcome. It highlights that merit, skill, or luck often matter more than the outward appearance or cost of the resources used. It is used to caution against the belief that money alone can buy success.

This proverb describes a person who is helpful, generous, and pleasant to outsiders or neighbors, but is difficult, lazy, or brings misery to their own family members. It is used to criticize those who prioritize their external reputation while neglecting their responsibilities at home.

This expression describes items or individuals that are in their most effective or dangerous state. Just as a knife is most useful when sharpened (tari), a person (historically used in the context of a captive woman or 'kutthi' meaning a young woman/slave) is most vulnerable or completely under someone's control. In modern usage, it highlights the peak state of readiness or the absolute influence one holds over something.

This expression is used to describe a person who is stingy, lazy, or ill-mannered with their own family members but acts extremely generous, helpful, and virtuous when dealing with outsiders or neighbors to maintain a good reputation.

This proverb describes a person who presents a false, prestigious image to the world while living in poor or mediocre conditions at home. It is used to critique someone who prioritizes outward show and vanity over their actual internal reality or family's well-being.

This proverb describes a person who is stingy, lazy, or ill-tempered at home, causing misery to their family, but acts very generous, kind, and helpful toward outsiders or neighbors to maintain a good reputation. It is used to criticize someone who prioritizes their public image over the well-being of their own household.

This proverb describes the difficult relationships a woman may face in her marital home. It suggests that while the mother-in-law constantly nags or demands like a moneylender (mitti), the sister-in-law (specifically the husband's brother's wife) can be sharp, cutting, or hostile like a knife. It is used to express the domestic challenges and lack of peace in a joint family setting.