కోడికి గజ్జెలు కడితే కుప్ప కుళ్ళగించదా?
kodiki gajjelu kadite kuppa kullaginchada?
If you tie anklets to a hen, won't it still scratch the heap?
This proverb suggests that no matter how much you try to dignify or change someone's outward appearance with finery, their inherent nature or basic habits will not change. It is used to describe situations where a person continues to behave according to their true character regardless of their new status or environment.
Related Phrases
కోడికూత, కాడి పూత
kodikuta, kadi puta
The crowing of the rooster, the yoking of the plow.
This expression describes the early morning routine and work ethic of a traditional farmer. It signifies that as soon as the rooster crows (dawn), the farmer is already at the field yoking the oxen to start work. It is used to emphasize punctuality, diligence, and the start of a productive day.
కోతికి కల్లు తాగించినట్లు
kotiki kallu taginchinatlu
Like making a monkey drink toddy (palm wine)
This expression is used to describe a situation where a naturally mischievous or restless person becomes even more uncontrollable, chaotic, or hyperactive due to external factors. It is used when someone's existing negative traits are amplified by bad influence or circumstances.
కోడి కుళ్ళగించేది అంతా పెంటకుప్పలే
kodi kullaginchedi anta pentakuppale
All that a hen scratches is only the dung heap.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, despite their efforts or pretense of doing something important, always ends up involved in trivial, petty, or low-level matters. It suggests that a person's actions are limited by their nature or capacity, much like a hen that always searches for food in a pile of waste regardless of where it is.
ఆడలేక మద్దెల ఓడు అన్నట్లు (లేదా) ఆడలేక పాతగజ్జెలు అన్నట్లు
adaleka maddela odu annatlu (leda) adaleka patagajjelu annatlu
Like saying the dancing bells are old because one cannot dance.
This proverb is used to describe a person who blames their tools, circumstances, or others for their own lack of skill or failure. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'A bad workman always blames his tools.'
పిల్ల పుట్టకముందే కుల్లాయి కుట్టినట్లు
pilla puttakamunde kullayi kuttinatlu
Stitching a cap before the child is even born
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes premature preparations or plans for an event that hasn't happened yet and whose outcome is uncertain. It is similar to the English idiom 'counting your chickens before they hatch'.
గారాము గజ్జెల కేడిస్తే, వీపు దెబ్బల కేడ్చిందిట
garamu gajjela kediste, vipu debbala kedchindita
While the pampered child cried for anklets, the back cried for blows.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's excessive demands or spoiled behavior leads to unexpected negative consequences or punishment. It highlights the transition from being over-indulged to being disciplined when one's demands become unreasonable.
నీ పత్తుపణం పాడుగానూ, నా వెరుపణం కుప్పలు కుప్పలు పెట్టు.
ni pattupanam paduganu, na verupanam kuppalu kuppalu pettu.
Ruin take your ten fanams, put my one fanam in heaps. The words Pattu paṇam and Oru paṇam are Tamil. Said by a Telugu man, ignorant of Tamil, who was owed one fanam, and owed ten.
This proverb describes a person's extreme selfishness or hypocrisy. It refers to someone who wants others to suffer losses while they themselves profit excessively, even at the expense of others. It is used to mock people who display a 'mine is mine, and yours is also mine' attitude or those who wish for others' ruin while seeking their own prosperity.
తనకు చెప్ప తడికెలచాటు, ఒకరికి చెప్ప ఒప్పుల కుప్ప.
tanaku cheppa tadikelachatu, okariki cheppa oppula kuppa.
When [the priest] applies [the law] to himself he screens himself [from its penalty]; but in laying down [the law] for others he is a beauty.* Justice, but not in my own house. (Spanish.)† No one likes justice brought home to his own door. (Italian.)
This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves hypocritically. It refers to someone who hides their own faults or avoids responsibility (hiding behind a screen) but gives moral lectures and acts like a paragon of virtue (pile of virtues) when judging others.
శేషయ్య బుసలు కొడితే గరుడయ్య గాండ్రించాడట
sheshayya busalu kodite garudayya gandrinchadata
When Seshayya hissed, Garudayya roared.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two individuals are trying to intimidate or outdo each other with empty threats or exaggerated displays of power. It highlights a competitive rivalry where one person's provocation is met with an even louder or more aggressive response, often implying that neither is actually taking action but merely making noise.
నిన్న కుప్పా నేడు ఆళ్లు
ninna kuppa nedu allu
Yesterday there was a heap [of cut corn], to-day there is Âllu [ thrashed ]. Sudden advancement, speedy progress. Yesterday a cowherd, to-day a cavalier. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to describe a rapid transformation or a sudden change in status or fortune. It refers to the agricultural process where what was a massive heap of unthreshed grain yesterday has been processed into clean grain today, signifying that things can change very quickly with effort or time.