ఇంట్లో ఈగ - బయట పులి

intlo iga - bayata puli

Translation

A fly at home - a tiger outside

Meaning

This proverb describes someone who is weak or submissive in their own household but acts tough, brave, or arrogant in public. It is used to mock someone's fake bravado or inconsistent behavior.

Related Phrases

The honourable man is coming, put away the pots and pans. Said of a plausible swindler.

This proverb is used to describe a sarcastic or paradoxical situation where someone who is supposed to be 'wealthy' or 'respectable' is actually known for stealing or borrowing things without returning them. It highlights hypocrisy or a false reputation, warning others to protect their belongings despite the person's high social status.

When there is no common saree to wear, the silk saree comes out.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is forced to use their most expensive or valued items out of sheer necessity because their everyday essentials are unavailable or exhausted. It highlights a state of extreme poverty or a situation where things have reached a critical point, leaving one with no choice but to utilize their final, reserved resources.

Does romance/wit come just because one has reached a certain age?

This expression is used to remark that maturity, wit, or a sense of humor (sarasam) do not automatically develop just because a person grows older. It is often used to criticize someone who is old enough but lacks social grace, romantic sensibility, or intelligence.

If it becomes cheap, it comes to the marketplace.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is only willing to do something or offer their services when it requires very little effort or when the risk is extremely low. It is often used to mock someone who avoids responsibility or hard work but suddenly appears when things become easy or free.

As if what you see during the day appears in your dreams at night

This expression refers to things that leave such a strong impression on the mind that they continue to haunt or reappear in thoughts. It is used to describe someone who is obsessed with a particular thought or a traumatic/intense event that they cannot stop thinking about even when asleep.

Nagging by the wife at home, and the pressure of debts outside.

This proverb describes a situation where a person is caught between two stressful environments. It is used to express being overwhelmed by constant domestic complaints or arguments on one side, and financial pressures or creditors' demands on the other.

Fasting at home, but dressing up in the street.

This proverb describes a person who pretends to be wealthy and prosperous in public (by wearing expensive clothes or 'dastu') while suffering from poverty and hunger (fasting or 'pastu') in private. It is used to mock vanity, false pride, or the act of maintaining appearances despite financial hardship.

Ships come on carts; carts come on ships. When ships are broken up, the pieces are carried on carts. Good and ill fortune follow each other.

This proverb highlights the unpredictable and cyclical nature of fortune. Just as tides turn, a wealthy person (represented by ships) might lose everything and become poor (represented by carts), or a person in humble circumstances might rise to great power and wealth. It is used to advise humility during success and hope during hardship.

Like kicking someone outside and then holding their feet inside the house

This expression describes a person's hypocritical or cowardly behavior where they behave aggressively or disrespectfully in public, but act submissive or apologetic in private. It refers to a situation where someone harms another person and later tries to please them for selfish reasons or out of fear.

The harassment of houseflies at home, and the harassment of creditors outside.

This proverb describes a person who has no peace of mind anywhere. It is used when someone is facing constant nagging or petty domestic issues at home and simultaneously dealing with serious financial pressures or debts in the outside world.