ఇంట్లో ఈగపులి, బయట పెద్దపులి
intlo igapuli, bayata peddapuli
At home he is a spider, abroad he is a tiger. Demure at home, a ruffian abroad. He looks as if butter would not melt in his mouth.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely timid or submissive at home (often toward a spouse or family) but displays great courage, authority, or intimidation when dealing with the outside world. It highlights the contrast between someone's private vulnerability and their public bravado.
Related Phrases
బయట తన్ని ఇంట్లో కాళ్లు పట్టుకున్నట్టు
bayata tanni intlo kallu pattukunnattu
Kicking [a man ] when out of doors and falling at his feet in the house. Disgracing him in public and cringing to him in private.
This expression describes a hypocritical or manipulative behavior where someone insults or harms a person in public (or treats them poorly elsewhere) and then tries to act humble or seek forgiveness in private. It refers to a person who tries to cover up their public misdeeds with private apologies or subservience.
చిన్న ఇంట్లో పెద్ద కాపురం
chinna intlo pedda kapuram
Big household in a small house
This expression is used to describe a situation where a large family is living in a very small space. It highlights the struggles of overcrowding or managing extensive responsibilities with very limited resources.
చిరుతపులి కడుపున పెద్దపులి పుట్టినట్లు
chirutapuli kadupuna peddapuli puttinatlu
Like a tiger being born to a leopard.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a child or descendant far surpasses the parents in stature, capability, or greatness. It highlights an extraordinary outcome from modest or ordinary origins, similar to the English concept of 'the student surpassing the master' or a humble lineage producing a great leader.
పెద్దపులి ఎదుటయినా పడవచ్చుగాని, నగరివారి ఎదుట పడరాదు
peddapuli edutayina padavachchugani, nagarivari eduta padaradu
One may face a tiger, but one should never face government officials.
This proverb highlights the unpredictable and potentially destructive nature of bureaucracy and state power in ancient times. It suggests that while a tiger is a known physical danger, the legal or political entanglements with authorities (royalty/government) can be more complex, lingering, and ruinous to a person's life.
ఇంట్లో ఈగల మోత, బయట సవారీల మోత
intlo igala mota, bayata savarila mota
In the house a buzzing of flies, outside the hum of palankin bearers.
This expression describes a person or family who lives in poverty or misery at home while maintaining a false, extravagant status or show of wealth in public. It highlights the contrast between actual dire conditions and outward pretension.
Outward show, but poverty at home.
ఈనిన పులి
inina puli
A tiger that has just given birth
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely aggressive, fierce, or in a state of high tension. Just as a tigress is most protective and dangerous immediately after giving birth, this phrase characterizes someone who is dangerously irritable or ready to attack at the slightest provocation.
ఏడుపులో ఏడుపు ఎడమ చెయ్యి బయట పెట్టుమన్నట్టు.
edupulo edupu edama cheyyi bayata pettumannattu.
Show your [ withered ] left hand and add to their grief. The story is that after a marriage the bridegroom was found to be a fool, which caused much regret to the family of the bride. The bride- groom's friends then told him to show the withered state of his left hand which he had hitherto concealed. Making bad matters worse.
This proverb describes a situation where someone adds a trivial or irrelevant task/request to a person who is already in deep distress or overwhelmed by a significant problem. It is used when a person lacks empathy and makes an untimely request during a crisis.
పెయ్యను కాపాడమని పెద్దపులికి అప్పజెప్పినట్లు
peyyanu kapadamani peddapuliki appajeppinatlu
Like entrusting a tiger to protect a calf
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone seeks protection or help from the very person who is likely to cause them harm. It highlights the foolishness of trusting a predator with its natural prey or putting a person in charge of something they are known to exploit.
బయట పులి, ఇంట పిల్లి
bayata puli, inta pilli
A tiger outside, a cat inside
This expression describes a person who acts brave, fierce, or authoritative in public or in front of strangers, but is timid, submissive, or easily intimidated at home or in front of their family members. It is often used to mock someone's false bravado.
పిలిచి పెద్దపులికి పేరంటం పెట్టినట్లు
pilichi peddapuliki perantam pettinatlu
Like inviting a tiger to a social gathering.
This proverb describes a situation where someone voluntarily invites a dangerous or troublesome person into their lives or affairs, essentially creating their own misfortune. It is used when a person's own actions or invitations lead to a predictable disaster or threat.