బయట దేవుడు, ఇంట దయ్యము
bayata devudu, inta dayyamu
A god outside, a devil at home
This expression describes a hypocritical person who acts virtuous, kind, and saintly in public or with strangers, but is cruel, abusive, or ill-tempered with their own family members behind closed doors. It is used to expose someone's double standards or fake personality.
Related Phrases
కొండంత దేవుడికి కొండంత పత్రి పెట్టగలమా?
kondanta devudiki kondanta patri pettagalama?
Can we offer leaves as large as a mountain to a God who is as big as a mountain?
This expression is used to signify that it is impossible to fully repay someone's immense help or match their stature with material offerings. It emphasizes that devotion or gratitude is more important than the scale of the gift, acknowledging human limitations when dealing with greatness.
దేవుడని మొక్కితే దయ్యమై పట్టుకున్నట్టు
devudani mokkite dayyamai pattukunnattu
Like praying to someone as a God, only for them to possess you like a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone seeks help or protection from a person or entity, but instead of receiving help, that person becomes a source of trouble or harassment. It reflects the irony of a perceived savior becoming a tormentor.
కొండంత దేవుడికి కొండంత పత్రి పెట్టగలమా?
kondanta devudiki kondanta patri pettagalama?
Can we offer mountain-sized leaves to a mountain-sized God?
This expression is used to acknowledge that one's offerings or gratitude can never truly match the magnitude of the help or blessings received. It is often said humbly when offering a small gift or gesture to someone of great stature or to a deity, implying that while the offering is small, the devotion is large.
నుయ్యి తీయబోతే దయ్యం బయటపడ్డట్టు
nuyyi tiyabote dayyam bayatapaddattu
When they began to dig a well, a devil came out. Applied to a sudden and heavy misfortune.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone starts a simple or helpful task but ends up facing an unexpected, major trouble or an scary complication. It highlights how a routine effort can sometimes lead to unforeseen negative consequences.
ఏది పట్టినా దయ్యము పట్టినట్లు
edi pattina dayyamu pattinatlu
Whatever one touches/holds, it is as if a ghost has possessed it.
This expression is used to describe someone who goes to extremes or becomes obsessively persistent in whatever task they undertake. It can also refer to someone who consistently encounters bad luck or complications in every endeavor they start, as if it were cursed or jinxed.
పెండ్లాము బెల్లము, తల్లి దయ్యము.
pendlamu bellamu, talli dayyamu.
Wife is jaggery, mother is a ghost.
This proverb is used to describe a person who prioritizes his wife and finds her sweet (like jaggery) while neglecting his mother or viewing her as a burden/troublemaker (like a ghost). It is typically used as a criticism of someone who forgets their filial duties after marriage.
దేవుడని మొక్కితే, దయ్యమై పట్టుకొన్నట్లు
devudani mokkite, dayyamai pattukonnatlu
Like praying to a deity, only for it to possess you like a ghost.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone seeks help or protection from a person or entity, but instead of receiving help, that very person or entity becomes a source of trouble or misery. It is similar to the concept of a 'blessing becoming a curse' or a savior turning into an oppressor.
బయట పులి, ఇంట పిల్లి
bayata puli, inta pilli
A tiger outside, a cat inside
This expression describes a person who acts brave, fierce, or authoritative in public or in front of strangers, but is timid, submissive, or easily intimidated at home or in front of their family members. It is often used to mock someone's false bravado.
దేవుడు కాయగూరలిస్తే దయ్యం వంటవాని నిచ్చింది.
devudu kayaguraliste dayyam vantavani nichchindi.
God gave the vegetables, but the devil gave the cook.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where excellent raw materials or resources are wasted or ruined by incompetent handling or poor execution. It suggests that even the best gifts can be made useless by someone who doesn't know how to use them properly.
నుయ్యి తీయబోతే దయ్యం బయటపడినట్లు
nuyyi tiyabote dayyam bayatapadinatlu
Like a ghost appearing when one went to dig a well
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one starts a task with good intentions or for a basic need, but unexpectedly encounters a huge problem or a hidden danger. It is similar to the English idea of 'opening a can of worms' or discovering an unforeseen complication while performing a routine job.