కక్కిన కుక్కవద్దికీ కన్న కుక్కవద్దికీ కానివాణ్ని అయినా పంపవద్దు.
kakkina kukkavaddiki kanna kukkavaddiki kanivanni ayina pampavaddu.
Don't send even your enemy near a dog which has vomited, or a bitch which has pupped.
This proverb highlights situations of extreme irritability and danger. A dog that has vomited is often sick and unpredictable, while a dog with newborns is fiercely protective and aggressive. It teaches that one should not put anyone—even a foe—into a situation where certain harm or irrational fury is expected.
Related Phrases
నక్క వచ్చి కుక్క తోక సవరించినట్లు
nakka vachchi kukka toka savarinchinatlu
Like a fox coming to straighten a dog's tail.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an unqualified person tries to fix something they don't understand, or when someone uses a deceptive or useless method to solve a problem. It implies that the intervention is both unnecessary and likely motivated by trickery, as a fox cannot truly 'fix' a dog's nature.
తిన్న కుక్క తినిపోతే, కన్న కుక్కను కట్టేసినారంట.
tinna kukka tinipote, kanna kukkanu kattesinaranta.
While the dog that ate the food ran away, they tied up the dog that saw it happen.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the actual culprit or wrongdoer escapes, and an innocent bystander or a witness is unfairly blamed or punished for the deed. It highlights a failure of justice or a mistake in identifying the true offender.
నాగుబాము చిన్నదనవద్దు, పాలినవాడు సన్నమనవద్దు
nagubamu chinnadanavaddu, palinavadu sannamanavaddu
Do not say a cobra is small; do not say an enemy is weak.
This proverb warns against underestimating potential dangers based on size or appearance. Just as even a small cobra possesses deadly venom, an opponent or enemy, regardless of how weak or diminished they may seem, can still cause significant harm. It is used to advise caution and vigilance.
తిన్న కుక్క తినిపోతే, కన్న కుక్కకు కాలు విరుగగొట్టినట్లు.
tinna kukka tinipote, kanna kukkaku kalu virugagottinatlu.
When the dog that ate the food ran away, breaking the leg of the dog that was just watching.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an innocent person is punished for the mistakes or crimes committed by someone else who escaped. It highlights unfair treatment or misplaced anger.
బక్కవానికి బలిసినవాడు బావ, బలిసినవాడికి బక్కవాడు బావ
bakkavaniki balisinavadu bava, balisinavadiki bakkavadu bava
To a lean man, a wealthy man is a brother-in-law; to a wealthy man, a lean man is also a brother-in-law.
This proverb highlights the reciprocity and equality inherent in kinship and relationships, regardless of economic status. In Telugu culture, 'Bava' (brother-in-law) denotes a close relative. The saying suggests that blood relations or social bonds remain the same regardless of one person being rich (balisinavadu) and the other being poor (bakkavadu). It is used to emphasize that status shouldn't change how family members treat or address one another.
పేను కుక్కినా కుక్కుతాడు, చెవి కరిచినా కరుస్తాడు
penu kukkina kukkutadu, chevi karichina karustadu
[ The monkey ] may either kill the louse, or bite off the ear.
This expression is used to describe an unpredictable person who oscillates between extremes—someone who can be insignificantly helpful or harmlessly quiet one moment, and then suddenly do something aggressive, harmful, or unexpected the next. It highlights a volatile or inconsistent personality.
తిన్న కుక్క తిని పోతే, కన్న కుక్కను పట్టి కాళ్లు విరగకొట్టినట్టు
tinna kukka tini pote, kanna kukkanu patti kallu viragakottinattu
When the dog which had eaten [ the food ] ran off, he caught hold of another dog and broke its leg. Making the innocent suffer for the guilty.
This proverb describes a situation where the actual culprit escapes, and an innocent person who happens to be nearby is punished for the crime. It is used to highlight injustice or a lapse in judgement where the wrong person is held accountable for someone else's mistake.
పండ్లూడిన కుక్క పసరాన్ని కరువదా?
pandludina kukka pasaranni karuvada?
Will a dog with fallen teeth not bite the cattle?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where even if someone has lost their primary power or strength, their basic nature or instincts do not change. Just because a dog is old and toothless, it doesn't mean it won't try to attack or snap at prey. It implies that one should still be cautious of a person's inherent character regardless of their current weakened state.
కూర్చుంటే కుక్కయినా కరువదు
kurchunte kukkayina karuvadu
Even a dog will not bite you if you sit down.
This proverb suggests that when someone is angry or aggressive, adopting a humble or submissive posture can prevent a conflict. It is used to teach that humility and avoiding provocation can defuse dangerous situations or hostile behavior from others.
కాని కాలానికి కంది అయినా కాయదు
kani kalaniki kandi ayina kayadu
In bad times, even a pigeon pea plant will not bear fruit
This proverb describes a period of misfortune where even the simplest or most reliable tasks fail to yield results. It is used to express that when luck is against someone, even their best efforts and usually dependable resources will let them down.