కోరి కోరి బావతో పోతే, కుంటివాడు పుట్టాడట
kori kori bavato pote, kuntivadu puttadata
When she went to her brother-in-law by choice, a cripple was born.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a deliberate choice or takes a specific risk hoping for a great result, but ends up with a disappointing or defective outcome. It highlights the irony of a hand-picked path leading to failure.
Related Phrases
గొంతమ్మ కోరికలు
gontamma korikalu
Gontamma's wishes.
This expression refers to endless, unrealistic, or extravagant demands that are difficult or impossible to fulfill. It is used to describe someone who keeps asking for more and more without any practical consideration or limit.
కోరి పిల్లను ఇస్తామంటే, కులం తక్కువ అన్నట్లు
kori pillanu istamante, kulam takkuva annatlu
When someone offers their daughter in marriage voluntarily, the other person insults them by saying they are of a lower caste.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone rejects or demeans a generous offer or a valuable favor simply because it was offered freely or easily. It highlights human nature's tendency to undervalue things that come without struggle or to find petty excuses to decline an act of kindness.
ఇంటివాడు లేచేది, కుంటివాడి మీదికే
intivadu lechedi, kuntivadi midike
The householder's anger rises only against the crippled man.
This proverb describes a situation where a person in power or authority directs their frustration or anger only toward someone who is weaker, helpless, or unable to retaliate, rather than addressing the actual cause of the problem.
కూతురు బిడ్డవని కోరి తెచ్చుకొంటే నాకై కొరివైనావా నా మనమరాలా
kuturu biddavani kori techchukonte nakai korivainava na manamarala
I brought you home with love because you are my daughter's child, but you became a firebrand for me, my granddaughter.
This expression is used when someone we love and care for deeply ends up causing us significant trouble, pain, or destruction. It highlights the irony and betrayal felt when a person who was expected to be a source of joy or support turns into a source of misery. It is often used in familial contexts or situations where personal affection led to a regrettable outcome.
పొట్టివాడికి పుట్టెడు బుద్ధులు
pottivadiki puttedu buddhulu
A short person has a basketful of brains/wisdom.
This is a popular Telugu saying used to suggest that what a person lacks in physical stature, they make up for with extreme cleverness, wit, or cunning. It is often used playfully or as a cautionary remark about not underestimating someone based on their small height.
ఇంటివాడు 'ఇలో' అంటే పొరుగువాడు 'పొలో' అన్నాడట.
intivadu ilo ante poruguvadu polo annadata.
When the homeowner said 'Ilo', the neighbor said 'Polo'.
This proverb describes a situation where someone blindly follows or joins in a conversation or action without knowing the context or meaning, simply to appear involved. It highlights the tendency of people to chime in or mimic others unnecessarily.
లోన చెదలు పుట్టదా గిట్టదా
lona chedalu puttada gittada
Won't termites be born and perish within?
This expression is used to describe things that happen internally or naturally without external influence. It often refers to how feelings, thoughts, or internal decay can arise and disappear within a person's heart or a system without anyone else knowing. It signifies that some processes are inherent and inevitable.
తోలు కొరికేవాడు పోతే, బొమికలు నమిలేవాడు వస్తాడు.
tolu korikevadu pote, bomikalu namilevadu vastadu.
If the one who bites the skin leaves, the one who chews the bones will arrive.
This proverb is used to warn that replacing a bad person or situation might lead to an even worse alternative. It suggests that sometimes the current hardship, though difficult, is more manageable than the potential unknown trouble that follows. It is similar to the English expression 'out of the frying pan and into the fire'.
ఏరికోరి వ్యవసాయం చేస్తే, కాడిమేడి దొంగలెత్తుకపోయినట్లు.
erikori vyavasayam cheste, kadimedi dongalettukapoyinatlu.
When one chooses to do farming with great interest, thieves steal the yoke and the plough.
This proverb describes a situation where someone starts a task or venture with great enthusiasm and careful planning, only to face an immediate, unexpected disaster that ruins everything at the very beginning. It is used to express irony when bad luck strikes right when one is most prepared.
నాభిలో పుట్టిన పురుగు వంటివాడు
nabhilo puttina purugu vantivadu
One like a worm born in the Nâbhi. Nâbhi ( Sans. Vatsanâbha ) is an active vegetable poison, ' the root of the Aconite ferox brought from Nepal' ( Wilson ). Said of a treacherous villain.
This expression is used to describe someone who has intimate, first-hand, and deep knowledge of a person, family, or organization. Just as a worm residing in the navel knows everything about the body, this phrase refers to an insider who knows all the secrets and internal affairs.