ఇష్టంలేని పెళ్ళాన్ని 'ఒసే' అన్నా తప్పే 'అమ్మా' అన్నా తప్పే
ishtamleni pellanni ose anna tappe amma anna tappe
If you don't like your wife, calling her 'Ose' is a mistake, and calling her 'Amma' is also a mistake.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is determined to find fault regardless of the actions taken. When a person is prejudiced or dislikes someone, even respectful or neutral behavior will be misinterpreted or criticized. It is used to highlight unfair bias and the impossibility of pleasing someone who has already made up their mind to be unhappy with you.
Related Phrases
అన్ని కార్తెలు తప్పినా హస్త తప్పదు
anni kartelu tappina hasta tappadu
Even if all other seasons fail, the Hasta rain will not fail.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansions (Kartes). It implies that even if the rains fail during other periods, the rains during the 'Hasta Karthe' are reliable and inevitable. In a broader sense, it refers to a dependable final chance or a certainty that one can rely on when everything else fails.
అత్తా నీ కొంగు తొలగిందన్నా తప్పే, లేదన్నా తప్పే.
atta ni kongu tolagindanna tappe, ledanna tappe.
Mother-in-law, it is a mistake to say your saree pallu has slipped, and it is also a mistake to say it hasn't.
This proverb describes a 'no-win' situation or a dilemma where regardless of what you say or do, you will be blamed or criticized. It is typically used when dealing with extremely sensitive, irrational, or authoritative people who find fault in every action of a subordinate or younger person.
దయలేని అత్తకు దండం పెట్టినా తప్పే.
dayaleni attaku dandam pettina tappe.
If [ the daughter-in-law ] even salute her unkind mother-in- law, it's a fault.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is so biased or ill-intentioned that no matter how much respect or kindness you show them, they will still find a reason to criticize or find fault. It is used to describe people who are impossible to please.
పదం తప్పినా ప్రాస తప్పరాదు
padam tappina prasa tapparadu
Even if the word is missed, the rhyme should not be missed.
This expression is used to describe someone who prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearances over the actual substance or truth of a matter. It often refers to people who focus more on making their speech sound catchy or poetic rather than ensuring it is accurate or meaningful.
చచ్చే పెళ్ళాన్ని అమ్మా అంటే బతుకుతుందా
chachche pellanni amma ante batukutunda
If you call a dying wife 'Mother', will she live?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a remedy or a respectful gesture is applied too late or is irrelevant to the gravity of the problem. It implies that certain outcomes are inevitable and flattering words or desperate last-minute changes cannot reverse a terminal situation or a deep-seated failure.
మర్యాద రామన్న మాట తప్పినా, నా వేటు తప్పదు.
maryada ramanna mata tappina, na vetu tappadu.
Though the word of Maryâda Râmanna fail, my blow will not fail. Maryâda Râmanna ( 'the respected Râmanna' ) was a famous minister, renowned for his judgment and the wisdom of his decisions.
This expression signifies an absolute determination or an unshakeable commitment to an action. It implies that while even a person known for supreme integrity (like the legendary judge Maryada Ramanna) might theoretically fail or falter, the speaker's resolve or the consequence of their action is inevitable and certain.
కత్తిపోటు తప్పేనా, కలం పోటు తప్పదు.
kattipotu tappena, kalam potu tappadu.
One might escape a sword strike, but one cannot escape the strike of a pen.
This expression highlights that written words have a more permanent and devastating impact than physical violence. While physical wounds may heal or be avoided, the consequences of what is written—such as laws, journalism, or literature—are enduring and inescapable. It is often used to emphasize the power of the media or the written record in holding people accountable.
పదము తప్పినా ప్రాస తప్పరాదు
padamu tappina prasa tapparadu
Even if the word is missed, the rhyme must not be missed.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearance over the actual content or truth. In a literal sense, it refers to poetry where maintaining the rhyme (prasa) is seen as more important than the choice of words. In a general context, it refers to people who focus on sticking to a pattern or keeping up appearances even when the substance is lost.
వెట్టివాని చేతిరాయి తగిలెనా తగులును, తప్పినా తప్పను
vettivani chetirayi tagilena tagulunu, tappina tappanu
A stone thrown by an unskilled laborer might hit the target or it might miss it entirely.
This proverb is used to describe actions or outcomes that are completely dependent on luck or chance rather than skill or planning. It implies that when someone incompetent or careless does something, there is no guarantee of the result; it is purely accidental if it works out.
అరవై ఏళ్లయిన తర్వాత అమ్మా అన్నాడట
aravai ellayina tarvata amma annadata
After sixty years had passed, he cried Ammâ (mother). Second childhood. Old men are twice children. (Latin.)
This expression is used to describe someone who starts learning the basics or realizes their responsibilities far too late in life. It highlights an action that is extremely delayed or untimely, suggesting that the time to do something has already passed.