ఇంటికి పెద్దకొడుకు, పెద్ద అల్లుడే లెక్క
intiki peddakoduku, pedda allude lekka
In a family, only the eldest son and the eldest son-in-law are taken into account.
This expression highlights traditional social dynamics where the eldest son and the eldest son-in-law are given the highest priority, responsibility, and respect in family matters and decision-making. It is often used to emphasize their leadership role or the heavy expectations placed upon them.
Related Phrases
చిన్న నోటికి పెద్ద మాట
chinna notiki pedda mata
Big words for a small mouth
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone (often a younger person or someone in a subordinate position) speaks in a manner that is overly ambitious, arrogant, or beyond their age and status. It is often used as a mild rebuke or a way to highlight that someone is talking beyond their experience or authority.
పెద్దలేని ఊరికి పోతురాజే పెద్ద
peddaleni uriki poturaje pedda
In a village with no elders, Pothuraju (the village deity) is the elder.
In the absence of competent leaders or wise people, even an unqualified or insignificant person can assume a position of power or authority. It is used to describe a situation where someone takes charge simply because there is no one better available.
ఉన్నవాడు ఊరికి పెద్ద, చచ్చినవాడు కాటికి పెద్ద
unnavadu uriki pedda, chachchinavadu katiki pedda
The one who is alive is the head of the village; the one who is dead is the head of the graveyard.
This proverb is used to describe the harsh reality of social status and hierarchy. It implies that a person's power, influence, and authority only exist as long as they are alive. Once a person dies, their worldly status vanishes, and they are merely the most prominent entity in a graveyard. It is often used to remind people to remain humble or to comment on how quickly influence fades after death.
పెద్దకత్తి పెరుమాళ్ళు
peddakatti perumallu
Big sword Perumallu
A sarcastic expression used to describe a person who boasts about their bravery or status but is actually incompetent or useless in reality. It refers to someone who carries a large weapon for show but doesn't know how to use it or lacks the courage to do so.
పెద్దఇంటి అంకు, పెద్దమనిషి బొంకు తెలియవు.
peddainti anku, peddamanishi bonku teliyavu.
The impurity of a great house and the lie of a gentleman are never known.
This proverb highlights that the flaws or misdeeds of influential, wealthy, or high-status individuals are often hidden from public view or suppressed by their reputation. It is used to describe how power and status can mask hypocrisy and dishonesty.
చిదికి చిదికి చిన్నవాని పెండ్లి చేసే సరికి, పెద్ద వాని పెండ్లాము పెద్దల లోకి పోయిందట
chidiki chidiki chinnavani pendli chese sariki, pedda vani pendlamu peddala loki poyindata
By the time the youngest son's wedding was arranged with great struggle, the eldest son's wife passed away.
This proverb describes a situation where one problem is solved with extreme difficulty only for another major crisis to occur. It highlights the irony of fate where despite continuous efforts to settle or fix affairs in a family or project, things never reach a state of completion or peace because new setbacks arise immediately.
ఉన్నవాడు ఊరికి పెద్ద, చచ్చినవాడు కాటికి పెద్ద.
unnavadu uriki pedda, chachchinavadu katiki pedda.
He that is alive is the head man of the village, and he that is dead is the head man of the burial ground. A taunt used to one who tries to make out that he is very highly connected.
This proverb highlights the transient nature of power and social status. It suggests that authority and leadership are only relevant while a person is alive and present in society; once deceased, their worldly influence vanishes and they belong only to the graveyard.
ఇంటికి పెద్దకొడుకై పుట్టేకన్నా అడవిలో తుమ్మదుబ్బై పుట్టేది మేలు
intiki peddakodukai puttekanna adavilo tummadubbai puttedi melu
It is better to be born as a thorny acacia bush in a forest than to be born as the eldest son of a household.
This proverb highlights the immense responsibilities, burdens, and expectations placed upon the eldest son in a traditional Indian family. It implies that the hardships of managing family affairs, providing for siblings, and fulfilling parental expectations are so taxing that a life of a useless bush in the wild seems peaceful by comparison.
పెద్దతల లేకుంటే పెద్దరికం చాలదు
peddatala lekunte peddarikam chaladu
If there is no elderly head, the status of elderliness is insufficient.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of having an experienced or wise person at the helm. It suggests that without a wise leader (a big head) to guide and make decisions, simply holding a position of authority or seniority (elderliness) is not enough to manage a family or a group effectively.
పేచీలకు పెద్దకొడుకు
pechilaku peddakoduku
The eldest son of quarrels (or troubles).
Used to describe a person who is extremely troublesome, argumentative, or someone who always finds a reason to pick a fight or create a dispute. It implies that the person is a 'pioneer' or a 'master' at creating unnecessary complications.