కత్తి తీసి కంపలో వేసి ఏకు తీసి పొడుచుకుంటానన్నట్టు
katti tisi kampalo vesi eku tisi poduchukuntanannattu
Like a man throwing away the knife and threatening to kill himself with a flock of cotton. Saying and doing are two things.
This proverb is used to describe someone who avoids dealing with real problems or major challenges but makes a great fuss or drama over something trivial and harmless. It mocks a person who displays false bravado or reacts disproportionately to minor issues while ignoring the actual tools or solutions available to them.
Related Phrases
మనిషి కాటుకు మందు లేదు.
manishi katuku mandu ledu.
There is no medicine for the bite of a man. The bite of an enraged man is said to be fatally poisonous.
This proverb refers to the malicious nature of human behavior, specifically betrayal, gossip, or cruelty. While there are remedies for snake bites or animal wounds, the damage caused by a person's words or actions can be irreparable and impossible to heal with physical medicine.
కుక్క తీసిన కొయ్య, నక్క తీసిన కొయ్య
kukka tisina koyya, nakka tisina koyya
A stick taken by a dog, a stick taken by a jackal. No one agreeing with his neighbour. All at sixes and sevens.
This proverb is used to describe a situation or task that has been completely ruined or made useless by being handled by too many incompetent or unreliable people. It implies that when something is passed between many hands without proper care, it loses its original value or purpose.
మసిమీద మసి ఎక్కి కూర్చుంటే, మోసి మోసి చచ్చినాను అన్నాడట
masimida masi ekki kurchunte, mosi mosi chachchinanu annadata
" When a man gets up and sits on a man, the weight kills me" said he. A stupid lout was persuaded by his wife to go and hear the Rāmāyaṇa read as she thought it might improve his mind. While standing leaning his head on his stick, a scamp got upon his shoulders and sat there. The blockhead thought this was a necessary part of the performance. When he returned home he was asked how he liked the Rāmāyaṇa and replied as above.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be overworked or burdened when they are actually doing very little or carrying something weightless. It highlights the irony of those who complain about trivial efforts as if they were monumental tasks.
చెట్టు ఎక్కించి నిచ్చెన తీసేసినట్లు
chettu ekkinchi nichchena tisesinatlu
Making a man mount a tree and then taking away the ladder. Treachery. Breach of faith.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone encourages or helps another person to take a risk or reach a certain position, only to abandon them or withdraw support once they are vulnerable. It signifies betrayal or leaving someone in a helpless situation after leading them into it.
ఏరు తీసినట్టు
eru tisinattu
Like the flood subsiding. Perfect stillness after a tumult. After a storm comes a calm.
This expression is used to describe something that has been done with extreme precision, neatness, or perfection. It is most commonly used to compliment beautiful handwriting, straight lines, or a very well-executed task that looks flawlessly continuous and smooth.
తెలిసి తెలిసి బొందలో పడ్డట్టు
telisi telisi bondalo paddattu
Although he knew the pit well, he fell into it.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone intentionally makes a mistake or gets into trouble despite being fully aware of the consequences or the danger beforehand.
రాళ్ళను నార తీసినట్టు
rallanu nara tisinattu
Like taking the bark off a stone.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to achieve something impossible or attempting to extract something from a source that has nothing to give. It characterizes a task that is extremely difficult, futile, or involves dealing with a very stubborn and heartless person.
To milk a he goat. (Latin.)*
దయగల మొగుడు దండుకు పోతూ, రోలు తీసి రొమ్మున వేలాడదీశాడట.
dayagala mogudu danduku potu, rolu tisi rommuna veladadishadata.
When the kind husband went to the wars, he hung the mortar round his wife's neck.
This proverb is used to describe people who, under the guise of being kind or helpful, actually cause more trouble or burden for others. It mocks hypocritical or foolish 'favors' that are actually detrimental.
Rôlu is a large heavy mortar used for pounding rice in. Said ironically of a bad husband cruel to the last.
బిడ్డను వేసి లోతు చూచినట్టు
biddanu vesi lotu chuchinattu
Like throwing a child into a well to find out the depth.
This expression is used to describe a foolish or reckless action where one risks something very precious just to test or find out something trivial or dangerous. It highlights extreme negligence or a lack of common sense in decision-making.
పొదుగు కోసి పాలు తాగినట్లు
podugu kosi palu taginatlu
Like cutting the udder, and drinking the milk. Ruining one's self by ambition.
This expression describes a person who, in their greed for immediate gain, destroys the very source of their wealth or livelihood. It is used to criticize short-sighted actions that provide a small instant benefit but cause permanent loss.