కళ్ళు వచ్చినప్పుడే చళ్ళు వస్తే, మదపు టేనుగును మంచానికి కట్టేద్దును నీదాకా రానిద్దునా, అన్నదట.
kallu vachchinappude challu vaste, madapu tenugunu manchaniki katteddunu nidaka ranidduna, annadata.
If I had the strength along with the eyes, I would have tied the wild elephant to the bed and never let it reach you, said the fly.
This proverb is used to mock people who boast about what they would have done in the past or in different circumstances despite their obvious lack of capability. It highlights empty bravado and the tendency of weak or insignificant people to make grand, unrealistic claims once a situation has passed. It is often cited when someone tries to take credit or show false heroism where they actually have no power.
Related Phrases
మావాళ్ళు వద్దన్నదానికి, నేను వచ్చినదానికి ఇతజ్ఞపుదానికి యిట్లనే కావాలి కట్టుకో మన్నాడట.
mavallu vaddannadaniki, nenu vachchinadaniki itajnyapudaniki yitlane kavali kattuko mannadata.
For my people saying no, for my coming here, and for this fate, he said to tie it (the knot) just like this.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a poor choice against the advice of well-wishers and then tries to justify the unfortunate consequences as if they were intended or deserved. It highlights the irony of stubbornly sticking to a bad decision even when it results in hardship.
కంచానికి ఒక్కడు, మంచానికి ఇద్దరు
kanchaniki okkadu, manchaniki iddaru
One for the plate, two for the bed.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely lazy and dependent. They are ready to eat alone (selfish/greedy) but need someone else's help even to move or get up from the bed. It is used to mock people who are active when it comes to consuming resources but become 'weak' or 'disabled' when it is time to work.
నీ కులానికి సొడ్డంటే, చిన్నప్పుడే వదిలివేసినా అన్నదట.
ni kulaniki soddante, chinnappude vadilivesina annadata.
When told that a squint is a flaw in her caste, she replied she had left it behind in her childhood.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to brush off a significant inherent flaw or a permanent mistake as a minor thing of the past. It highlights the absurdity of making excuses for something that is obvious and unchangeable.
ముందు వచ్చిన చెవులకన్నా, వెనక వచ్చిన కొమ్ములు వాడి
mundu vachchina chevulakanna, venaka vachchina kommulu vadi
The horns which came last are sharper than the ears which came first. Said of a new comer wishing to usurp authority over his seniors.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a newcomer, junior, or younger person surpasses their senior or predecessor in skill, power, or success. It highlights that experience (age) doesn't always guarantee superiority over late-blooming talent or sharp ambition.
చస్తానని చద్ది అన్నము తింటే, చల్లగా నిద్ర వచ్చినదట.
chastanani chaddi annamu tinte, challaga nidra vachchinadata.
Saying she would die ( kill herself) she made a great break- fast and had a fine sleep. A trick to get a good meal, as she said it was to be her last.
This proverb is used to mock someone who makes grand, dramatic threats (like committing suicide) but ends up doing something that actually makes them comfortable or benefits them. It highlights the gap between one's words and actions, often implying that the person wasn't serious about their original claim and was just looking for an excuse to indulge.
మోపూరువాళ్ళ మొగుళ్ళు చస్తే, తలమంచివాళ్ళు తాళ్ళు తెంచుకొన్నట్లు
mopuruvalla mogullu chaste, talamanchivallu tallu tenchukonnatlu
When the husbands of Mopuru people died, the people of Talamanchi broke their wedding threads.
This proverb describes a situation where someone reacts unnecessarily or excessively to a situation that does not involve them or doesn't affect them directly. It is used to mock people who mimic others' grief or actions without any logical reason or personal connection.
అల్లుడు వచ్చిందీ అపుడే, ఆశగాడు వచ్చిందీ అపుడే
alludu vachchindi apude, ashagadu vachchindi apude
The son-in-law arrived just then, and the greedy fellow arrived just then.
This expression is used to describe a situation where multiple guests or demands arrive simultaneously, making it difficult for the host to manage hospitality. It specifically highlights the coincidence of a welcome guest (the son-in-law) and an unwelcome or demanding guest (the greedy person) appearing at the same moment.
చచ్చినదాని పిల్లలు వచ్చినదాని కాళ్ళకింద
chachchinadani pillalu vachchinadani kallakinda
The children of the deceased woman are under the feet of the newcomer.
This proverb describes the plight of motherless children who are often neglected or mistreated by a stepmother or a new person entering the household. It is used to highlight situations where vulnerable individuals lose their protection and are left at the mercy of someone who may not care for their well-being.
వరహాను ముప్పావు చేసుకొచ్చినా, మా యింటాయన ఎద్దుల బేరగాడైనాడంతే చాలు అన్నదట.
varahanu muppavu chesukochchina, ma yintayana eddula beragadainadante chalu annadata.
Even if he turned a Varaha coin into three-quarters of its value, it is enough for me that my husband became a cattle trader, she said.
This proverb is used to mock someone who takes pride in their status or title despite suffering a significant financial loss or performing poorly in their job. It highlights a foolish sense of satisfaction with one's position or prestige over practical success and common sense.
నీ గాళ్లు వాచినమ్మా మీ యింట్లో పెండ్లి యెప్పుడంటే, మోకాళ్లు వాచినమ్మా మొన్ననే పోయినదన్నట్టు.
ni gallu vachinamma mi yintlo pendli yeppudante, mokallu vachinamma monnane poyinadannattu.
"When will the marriage be in your house, swollen-insteps?" said [one woman,] "It was all over the day before yes- terday, swollen-knees" retorted the other.
This proverb describes a situation where someone gives a completely irrelevant or nonsensical answer to a specific question, often because they are confused or trying to avoid the topic. It is used to mock people who provide 'out of syllabus' or disconnected responses during a conversation.