కర్ణ ప్రతాపము
karna pratapamu
The valour of Karṇa. A blusterer.
This expression refers to 'empty boasting' or 'self-praise'. In the Mahabharata, Karna often spoke grandly about his prowess before the battle but failed to deliver the promised results at crucial moments. It is used to describe someone who talks big about their abilities or intentions but fails to back them up with actions.
Related Phrases
బిడ్డ పాముకరచి చచ్చి ఏడుస్తుంటే, విషపురుగులము- మా జోలికి వస్తే కరవక మానుతామా అన్నదట, అప్పడే బయటపడిన ఏలికపాము.
bidda pamukarachi chachchi edustunte, vishapurugulamu- ma joliki vaste karavaka manutama annadata, appade bayatapadina elikapamu.
While someone was crying because their child died of a snake bite, an earthworm that just emerged said, 'We are poisonous creatures—if you interfere with us, will we refrain from biting?'
This proverb is used to mock people who have no real power or status but try to sound dangerous or important by associating themselves with a tragedy or a powerful group. It describes an insignificant person (the earthworm) trying to act tough or claim credit for a fearsome reputation (the snake's venom) at an inappropriate or insensitive time.
పదం తప్పినా ప్రాస తప్పరాదు
padam tappina prasa tapparadu
Even if the word is missed, the rhyme should not be missed.
This expression is used to describe someone who prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearances over the actual substance or truth of a matter. It often refers to people who focus more on making their speech sound catchy or poetic rather than ensuring it is accurate or meaningful.
పిల్లిని చంపిన పాపం నీది, బెల్లం తిన్న పాపం నాది
pillini champina papam nidi, bellam tinna papam nadi
You take the sin of killing the cat, I'll take the sin of eating your molasses. Said by a stingy Kômati to a Brahman priest to whom he had presented tha cheapest possible offering that would expiate the sin he had committed by killing a cat, viz., a little image of a cat made of molasses, which he afterwards was greedy enough to take back again and swallow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone hypocritically tries to equate a major transgression with a minor or harmless act. It highlights a person's clever but unfair way of shifting blame or normalizing their own small gains while others face the consequences of serious mistakes. It is often used to mock someone who tries to share 'blame' in a way that actually benefits them.
కర్ణుని చావుకు వెయ్యి కారణాలు
karnuni chavuku veyyi karanalu
There are a thousand reasons for Karna's death.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a failure or a complex event cannot be blamed on a single factor, but is rather the result of many contributing causes. In the Mahabharata, Karna's downfall was caused by multiple curses, promises, and circumstances happening at once.
పదము తప్పినా ప్రాస తప్పరాదు
padamu tappina prasa tapparadu
Even if the word is missed, the rhyme must not be missed.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearance over the actual content or truth. In a literal sense, it refers to poetry where maintaining the rhyme (prasa) is seen as more important than the choice of words. In a general context, it refers to people who focus on sticking to a pattern or keeping up appearances even when the substance is lost.
మన్ను తిన్న పాము
mannu tinna pamu
A snake that has eaten soil
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely sluggish, motionless, or unresponsive. It refers to the belief that a snake becomes heavy and stays still in one place after consuming soil, and is often applied to people who are lazy or act oblivious to their surroundings.
కాలనేమి జపము
kalanemi japamu
Kâlanêmi's prayers. Kâlanêmi was a pretended sage. (See the Râmâyana.—Yuddha Kânda. ) Applied to hypocrisy.
This expression is used to describe a person who outwardly acts like a devotee or a well-wisher but harbors evil intentions or plans harm in private. It originates from the Ramayana, where the demon Kalanemi disguised himself as a sage chanting God's name to deceive and kill Hanuman.
కృతఘ్నత ప్రతిదేశంలో ప్రతివాతావరణంలో మొలిచే కలుపు మొక్క
kritaghnata pratideshamlo prativatavaranamlo moliche kalupu mokka
Ingratitude is a weed that grows in every country and in every climate
This expression describes the universal nature of ungratefulness. It implies that just like weeds grow unwantedly everywhere regardless of the conditions, ungrateful people can be found in any culture, place, or situation. It is used to express disappointment when someone fails to show appreciation for help received.
దానకర్ణుడు
danakarnudu
Karna the giver
This expression is used to describe a person who is exceptionally charitable or generous. It refers to the legendary character Karna from the Mahabharata, who was known for his 'unwavering philanthropy' and for never refusing a request for help, even at the cost of his own life.
నత్తి నాలిగింటి కర్ణం
natti naliginti karnam
Stammering is the ear of the fourth.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person with a speech impediment or a slow-witted person tries to convey information, and by the time it reaches the fourth person through a chain of communication, it becomes completely distorted or misunderstood. It highlights how information loses its original meaning or becomes delayed when passing through unreliable sources.