కోతి చేతి పామువలె
koti cheti pamuvale
Like a snake in a monkey's paw. Jacko is afraid of it, but won't let it go.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is fickle, irresponsible, or lacks judgment is given control over something dangerous or sensitive. Just as a monkey doesn't know how to handle a snake safely—either hurting itself, the snake, or others by swinging it around—giving power or a delicate task to an incompetent person leads to unpredictable and harmful consequences.
Related Phrases
మట్టి తిన్న పాములా ఉన్నాడు
matti tinna pamula unnadu
He is like a snake which has eaten earth. In a stupid state. The Hindus say that snakes sometimes eat earth, when in want of food.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely sluggish, inactive, or lying motionless. It is often applied to people who are lazy or those who are resting heavily after overeating, based on the folk belief that a snake becomes immobile after consuming soil.
మన్ను తిన్న పాములా
mannu tinna pamula
Like a snake that has eaten soil
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely lethargic, motionless, or silent. It originates from the observation that a snake becomes slow and inactive after consuming a heavy meal (metaphorically referred to as soil), and it is often applied to people who are unresponsive or dull in a particular situation.
కోతి చేతి పూల దండ
koti cheti pula danda
A garland of flowers in a monkey's paw.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a valuable object or a position of responsibility is given to someone who is incapable of understanding its value or doesn't know how to handle it properly, eventually leading to its destruction.
A good thing thrown away on a stupid person.
ఆడదాని చేతి అద్దం, మగాడి చేతి బిడ్డ బ్రతకదట
adadani cheti addam, magadi cheti bidda bratakadata
A mirror in a woman's hand and a child in a man's hand do not survive.
This is a traditional proverb highlighting gender-stereotypical roles from the past. It suggests that a mirror in a woman's hand will break because she uses it too frequently, and a baby in a man's hand will not thrive because he lacks the natural nurturing patience or skill required for childcare. In modern usage, it is often cited to remark on the lack of care or the inherent risk of mishandling something when it is not in the hands of an 'expert' or 'natural' caretaker.
మట్టి తిన్న పామువలె ఉన్నాడు
matti tinna pamuvale unnadu
He is like a snake that has eaten mud.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely sluggish, lazy, or motionless. It refers to the belief that a snake becomes slow and inactive after consuming soil/prey, and is used to mock someone's lack of energy or activity.
మేకును పెరికిన కోతి వలె
mekunu perikina koti vale
Like the monkey that drew out the wedge. “ ‘ You know the story of the Monkey, don’t you ? ’ [ said Karataka ]. “The Monkey drew the sawyer’s wedge, and died; Let meddlers mark it, and be edited.” ‘ No ! ’ said Damanaka. ‘ How was it ? ‘ In this way,’ answered Karataka :— ‘ In south Behar, close by the retreat of Dhurmma, there was an open plot of ground, upon which a temple was in course of erection, under the management of a man of the Kayeth caste named Subhadatta. A car- penter upon the works had partly sawed through a long beam of wood, and wedged it open, and was gone away, leaving the wedge fixed. Shortly afterwards a large herd of Monkeys came frolicking that way, and one of their number, directed doubtless by the Angel of death, got astride the beam, and grasped the wedge, with his tail and lower parts dangling down between the pieces of the wood. Not content with this, in the mischief natural to monkeys, he began to tug at the wedge; till at last it yielded to a great effort and came out; when the wood closed upon him, and jammed him all fast. So perished the monkey, miserably crushed ; and I say again,— “ Let meddlers mark it and be edited.” ( Arnold's Book of Good Counsels from the Hitopadesa pp. 49, 50.)
This expression describes a situation where someone meddles in affairs they do not understand, resulting in trouble or self-inflicted harm. It originates from a fable where a monkey pulls out a wooden wedge from a split log, only to have its limbs caught when the log snaps shut. It is used to caution against unnecessary interference or curiosity in dangerous matters.
ఆడదాని చేతి అర్థం, మగవాడి చేతి బిడ్డ నిలవవు.
adadani cheti artham, magavadi cheti bidda nilavavu.
Money in a woman's hand and a child in a man's hand will not stay.
This traditional proverb suggests that wealth held by a woman is quickly spent on household needs, while a man may lack the patience or nurturing skill to keep a child calm or safe for long. It is used to describe roles or situations where resources or responsibilities are perceived to be inherently unstable.
బుట్టలో పామువలె
buttalo pamuvale
Like a snake in a basket
This expression is used to describe a person who is feeling trapped, suppressed, or constrained by their circumstances. It signifies a state of being confined in a small space or situation where one lacks freedom of movement or action, yet remains potentially dangerous or restless.
జైనవాని చేతి పేనువలె.
jainavani cheti penuvale.
Like a louse in a Jain's hand.
This expression refers to a situation where one is trapped or stuck in a position where they are neither being helped nor let go, leading to prolonged suffering. It originates from the Jain principle of non-violence (Ahimsa), where a Jain might catch a louse but, refusing to kill it, keeps it in their hand, causing discomfort to both.
భార్య చేతి పంచభక్ష్యపరమాన్నములకన్నా తల్లి చేతి తవిటి రొట్టె నయము.
bharya cheti panchabhakshyaparamannamulakanna talli cheti taviti rotte nayamu.
Bran-bread from the hand of a mother is better than the five cakes and rich food from the hand of a wife. Pañchabhakshyam are five kinds of cakes.—Paramânnam is a rich dish of rice boiled with milk, sugar, spices, &c.
This proverb emphasizes the incomparable love and comfort associated with a mother's care. It suggests that even the simplest, coarsest food prepared by one's mother is more satisfying and precious than the most luxurious feast prepared by anyone else, including one's spouse. It is used to highlight the deep emotional bond and selfless nature of maternal love.