ఇటు వేస్తే హనుమంతుడు, అటు వేస్తే వీరభద్రుడు
itu veste hanumantudu, atu veste virabhadrudu
If thrown this way, it is Hanuman; if thrown that way, it is Veerabhadra.
This expression refers to a 'no-win' or 'catch-22' situation where every possible outcome or decision leads to a difficult or aggressive confrontation. It is used when a person is caught between two equally formidable or stubborn options, or when no matter what one does, someone will get angry.
Related Phrases
వీరభద్ర పళ్ళెమునకు హనుమత్పళ్ళెము
virabhadra pallemunaku hanumatpallemu
A Hanuman platter in response to a Veerabhadra platter.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone responds to an aggressive or fierce action with an equally strong or superior counter-action. It is often used when one person's display of power or temper is met by someone even more formidable, similar to 'tit for tat' but with an emphasis on matching intensity.
రాముడిలాంటి రాజుంటే, హనుమంతుడిలాంటి బంటు అప్పుడే పుడతాడు.
ramudilanti rajunte, hanumantudilanti bantu appude pudatadu.
If there is a king like Rama, a servant like Hanuman will be born then and there.
This proverb emphasizes that leadership defines the quality of the followers. When a leader is righteous, noble, and capable (like Lord Rama), they will naturally attract or inspire followers who are exceptionally loyal, strong, and dedicated (like Hanuman). It is used to suggest that a great leader brings out the best in their subordinates.
వేలికి వేస్తే మెలిక, కాలికి వేస్తే బంధం
veliki veste melika, kaliki veste bandham
If put on the finger it's a twist, if put on the leg it's a shackle.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or versatile in making excuses. It refers to a person who can adapt their behavior or arguments to any situation just to get their way—if you try to catch them one way, they twist out of it; if you try another, they bind you instead.
కుక్కకు కూడువేస్తే కూటికుండకు ముప్పు
kukkaku kuduveste kutikundaku muppu
If you feed the dog, the food-pot is at risk.
This proverb refers to people who are ungrateful or those who, when helped, try to take advantage of or harm their benefactor. It describes a situation where showing kindness to an unworthy or untrustworthy person results in them endangering your own resources or well-being.
వేలుకు వేస్తే కాలికి, కాలికి వేస్తే వేలికి.
veluku veste kaliki, kaliki veste veliki.
If put on the finger it goes to the toe, and if put on the toe it goes to the finger.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely manipulative, inconsistent, or shifty in their speech. It refers to someone who changes their story or logic constantly to suit their convenience, making it impossible to pin them down to a single fact or commitment.
వెన్ను వేస్తే వైరుకర్ర పొన్నువేస్తే చేతికర్ర
vennu veste vairukarra ponnuveste chetikarra
If it grows a grain-ear it is a straw-stalk, if it is fitted with a ferrule it is a walking-stick.
This proverb highlights the versatility and utility of an object based on how it is developed or used. In a broader sense, it refers to how a person's potential or a situation's outcome depends on the direction it takes or the finishing touches provided.
లంక కాల్చినవాడు హనుమంతుడు.
lanka kalchinavadu hanumantudu.
The man who burnt Lankâ is Hanumân.
This phrase is used to give credit to the person who actually performed a task or took a significant action, often used when clarifying roles in a major event or recognizing true bravery and capability.
పడమర కొట్టేస్తే పాడుగుంటలన్నీ నిండును, తూర్పున వేస్తే తుంగగడ్డ కూడా ఎండిపోవును
padamara kotteste paduguntalanni nindunu, turpuna veste tungagadda kuda endipovunu
If it rains from the west, even ruined pits will fill up; if it rains from the east, even the water-grass roots will dry up.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to monsoon patterns in the Telugu regions. It suggests that rainfall coming from the west (Southwest monsoon) is abundant and reliable enough to fill every dry pond, whereas rain clouds from the east (Northeast monsoon) are often insufficient or inconsistent, leading to drought-like conditions where even moisture-loving plants like 'tunga' grass wither away.
పటమట కొట్టువేస్తే పాడిఆవు అంకెవేస్తుంది
patamata kottuveste padiavu ankevestundi
If you strike the western side of the shed, the milch cow bellows.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's actions or words have an immediate, predictable, or indirect effect on another person. It can also refer to people who react prematurely or sensitive individuals who respond even when a remark is not directly aimed at them.
తూర్పున కురిస్తే, దుక్కిటెద్దు అంకె వేస్తుంది
turpuna kuriste, dukkiteddu anke vestundi
If it rains in the east, the plowing ox bellows.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb. It means that rainfall from the eastern direction (indicative of the monsoon or favorable winds) is a sign of good agricultural prospects. The ox bellows in joy or readiness, signaling that the season for plowing and farming has successfully begun.