కాలుత్రొక్కిన మొగుడు ఏనుగంత, కనిపెంచని బిడ్డ బారడంత
kalutrokkina mogudu enuganta, kanipenchani bidda baradanta
The husband who stepped on one's foot looks as big as an elephant, and the child one hasn't raised looks a fathom tall.
This proverb describes the psychological tendency to exaggerate or misjudge things based on emotion or lack of experience. It refers to how a small mistake by a spouse can be perceived as a massive grievance (like an elephant), or how people often underestimate the effort of parenting by thinking someone else's child grew up effortlessly or 'overnight'.
Related Phrases
పైన మంట, కింద మంట, కడుపులో మంట, కాలు నిలిపితే ఖామందు తంట
paina manta, kinda manta, kadupulo manta, kalu nilipite khamandu tanta
Fire above, fire below, fire in the belly, and if the foot stops, the master causes trouble.
This proverb describes the plight of a hardworking laborer or farmer. 'Fire above' refers to the scorching sun, 'fire below' refers to the hot earth, and 'fire in the belly' refers to hunger. It signifies that despite physical suffering and hunger, they cannot stop working because they are afraid of the master's wrath or the loss of their livelihood.
అబ్బ పెంచిన బిడ్డ అయినా కావాలి, అమ్మ పెంచిన బిడ్డ అయినా కావాలి, ముండ పెంచిన బిడ్డ మండలాధిపతి అవుతాడా?
abba penchina bidda ayina kavali, amma penchina bidda ayina kavali, munda penchina bidda mandaladhipati avutada?
A child must be raised by a father or a mother; can a child raised by a mistress become a ruler?
This traditional proverb emphasizes the importance of a proper upbringing, parental guidance, and legitimate social standing in shaping a person's character and future success. It suggests that without the discipline and moral foundation provided by parents, one cannot achieve great heights or leadership roles. It is often used to highlight that a lack of proper mentorship leads to a lack of merit.
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
బతుకనేరని బిడ్డ బారెడుండు
batukanerani bidda baredundu
A child who doesn't know how to survive grows to be a fathom long.
This proverb describes a person who lacks practical life skills or common sense despite being physically grown or having significant resources. It is used to mock someone who is old enough or 'big' enough to be capable, yet remains helpless, lazy, or foolish in managing their own affairs.
అదను కాని పేరు, ముదిమిలోని బిడ్డ.
adanu kani peru, mudimiloni bidda.
A name given out of season and a child born in old age.
This proverb describes things that come too late to be truly useful or enjoyable. Just as a name given at the wrong time loses its significance, or a child born to elderly parents might face hardships or lack the energy of young parents, it refers to misplaced timing or delayed blessings that bring more burden than joy.
కాలు త్రొక్కిన వేళ కంకణం కట్టిన వేళ.
kalu trokkina vela kankanam kattina vela.
The time the foot was set and the time the sacred thread was tied.
This expression refers to the timing of a significant event, particularly marriage or entering a new home. It suggests that the success or failure of a venture is often attributed to the 'auspiciousness' of the exact moment someone first stepped in or when the ritual began. It is used when discussing the destiny or luck associated with a new beginning.
బతకని బిడ్డ బారెడు
batakani bidda baredu
The child who doesn't survive appears a fathom long.
This expression is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities or potential of things that are already lost or projects that have failed. Just as a child who died at birth is often remembered as being exceptionally healthy or large, people often overstate the greatness of 'what could have been' in hindsight.
పండగనాడూ పాత మొగుడేనా?
pandaganadu pata mogudena?
What! my old husband on the feast day? When everything else is new. A joke.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one expects something special or a significant change during a grand occasion, but finds that everything remains exactly as boring or routine as usual. It reflects disappointment when an expected novelty or improvement fails to materialize.
పండుగనాడు కూడా పాత మొగుడేనా అన్నదట
panduganadu kuda pata mogudena annadata
Even on a festival day, is it the same old husband? she asked.
This expression is used to mock someone who expects unnecessary or impossible novelty in things that are constant. It highlights a person's lack of common sense or their habit of complaining about routine matters even when those matters are fundamental and unchanging.
కనిపెంచినవాడు కాలు జారినట్లు
kanipenchinavadu kalu jarinatlu
Like the one who gave birth and raised (the child) slipping their foot.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is highly experienced, responsible, or the very creator/protector of something makes a fundamental or unexpected mistake. It highlights the irony and disappointment when a person who is supposed to know better or be most careful ends up failing or committing an error.