ఇంటివాడు 'ఇలో' అంటే పొరుగువాడు 'పొలో' అన్నాడట.

intivadu ilo ante poruguvadu polo annadata.

Translation

When the homeowner said 'Ilo', the neighbor said 'Polo'.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone blindly follows or joins in a conversation or action without knowing the context or meaning, simply to appear involved. It highlights the tendency of people to chime in or mimic others unnecessarily.

Related Phrases

If the owner of the house hits with a feather, the neighbor will hit with a rod.

This proverb warns that if you treat your own family members or belongings with disrespect or negligence in public, others will feel entitled to treat them even more harshly. It emphasizes that the way you value your own sets the standard for how the world will treat them.

When the owner says the buffalo is barren, the neighbor says it is a milch buffalo.

This proverb describes a situation where someone who has no firsthand knowledge or responsibility regarding a matter contradicts the person who knows the actual facts. It is used to mock people who offer unsolicited, overly optimistic, or ignorant opinions that contradict the reality faced by the person involved.

When the one who caught it said it was a Pariga fish, the one who didn't catch it said it was a Matta fish.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who has no involvement or knowledge in a matter tries to contradict or argue with the person who actually did the work or has firsthand experience. It highlights the tendency of people to offer unwanted and uninformed opinions.

He who gives is a donor, he who does not give is a clout.

This expression highlights that generosity earns a person respect and a lasting legacy. A person who helps others is remembered as a benefactor, whereas someone who is stingy or refuses to help is quickly forgotten or disregarded by society. It is used to encourage charity and reflect on the social value of giving.

The impertinent speech of a beggar.

When someone says 'it is an ox', replying 'it gave a small measure of milk'.

This proverb is used to describe a person who talks without logic or common sense. Since oxen are male and cannot give milk, claiming one gave milk shows total ignorance or a refusal to listen to facts. It highlights situations where someone provides an absurd answer to a simple premise.

When one said "Kādu, Kādu" the other said "Nādi, Nādi."

This proverb describes a situation where someone persistently tries to claim ownership or credit for something even after being explicitly told it doesn't belong to them or is incorrect. It is used to mock people who are shamelessly stubborn or opportunistic despite being rejected.

Kādu in Telugu means " it is not," "no;" in Tamil it signifies " the ear." A Telugu man on one occasion accidentally stuck the barb of his spear into a Tamilian's ear, on which the latter cried out "Kādu! Kādu!" ( My ear! my ear! ) The Telugu man thinking he meant to say " Not yours, not yours" pulled at the spear all the harder, saying "Nādi! Nādi!" (It's mine! it's mine!). Said to a man who is obstinate in argument.

Like pouring water into one's own stove when the neighbor is flourishing.

This proverb describes the height of envy and spite. It refers to people who are so jealous of others' success (greenery/prosperity) that they self-destruct or stop their own progress out of sheer malice or depression caused by seeing others thrive.

When the daughter-in-law said, 'Mother-in-law, a barrier has been placed in the sky,' the mother-in-law replied, 'I have the ladle in my hand, dear.'

This proverb is used to describe a competitive relationship or a 'one-upmanship' attitude, particularly between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. It highlights a situation where one person makes an absurd or exaggerated claim, and the other responds with an equally nonsensical or defiant retort just to show they are not outdone or to maintain authority, regardless of logic.

When the owner said his she-buffalo was barren, the neigh- bour said it was milch. Applied to a spirit of contradiction.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an outsider or neighbor contradicts the owner's first-hand knowledge with baseless or overly optimistic claims. It highlights the tendency of people to comment or give unsolicited advice on matters they don't fully understand, often being more stubborn about the facts than the person directly involved in the situation.

When an outsider says it's a pregnant buffalo, the owner says it's a barren buffalo.

This proverb describes a situation where an owner or an insider devalues their own possessions or family members while an outsider recognizes their true worth. It is used to highlight a lack of appreciation for what one already has, or a tendency to be overly critical of one's own people or assets.