కొట్టినా వంగని కొడుకు, తిప్పినా తిరగని మీసం
kottina vangani koduku, tippina tiragani misam
A son who doesn't bend even if beaten, and a mustache that doesn't turn even if twisted.
This expression refers to things that are useless or ineffective because they lack their essential quality. It describes a son who is stubborn or lacks character despite discipline, and a mustache (a symbol of pride or virility) that lacks the stiffness or shape it is supposed to have. It is used to mock things that fail to live up to their expected purpose or dignity.
Related Phrases
మృగశిరలో పెట్టిన పైరు, మీసకట్టున పుట్టిన కొడుకు మేలు.
mrigashiralo pettina pairu, misakattuna puttina koduku melu.
A crop planted during the Mrigashira season and a son born when the father is at the prime of his youth (growing a mustache) are the best.
This proverb highlights the importance of timing. Just as the Mrigashira rain is considered the most auspicious for starting agriculture, a son born when the father is young and capable is considered beneficial for the family's strength and continuity.
వెన్నతో కొట్టిన వానిని రాయితో కొట్టినట్లు
vennato kottina vanini rayito kottinatlu
Like hitting someone with a stone who previously hit you with butter.
This proverb is used to describe an act of extreme ingratitude or an unfair, harsh reaction to a kind gesture. It refers to a situation where a person responds to someone's gentleness or favor with cruelty or hostility.
అరగని కూడు జరగని మాట.
aragani kudu jaragani mata.
Undigested food and a word that cannot be fulfilled.
This expression highlights two things that cause significant discomfort: undigested food causes physical pain, while a promise or word that cannot be fulfilled (an impossible commitment) causes mental stress and reputational damage. It is used to caution people against making promises they cannot keep or taking on more than they can handle.
ముండ కొడుకే కొడుకు, రాజు కొడుకే కొడుకు
munda koduke koduku, raju koduke koduku
A widow's son is a son, a king's son is a son. A king's son and a widow's son are both greatly indulged.
This proverb highlights that fate or luck favors two extremes: either those who have nothing to lose and must work extremely hard (the widow's son) or those who are born with immense privilege (the king's son). It is used to describe how people at the very bottom of the social ladder and the very top often end up being the most successful or influential, albeit for different reasons.
ఇల్లెక్కి కొరివి తిప్పినట్టు
illekki korivi tippinattu
Getting on the roof [ of a thatched house ] and whirling a firebrand.
This expression is used to describe a person's foolish or self-destructive behavior that brings harm or ruin to their own family or reputation. Just as waving a firebrand while standing on a thatched roof will inevitably set the house on fire, this phrase refers to actions that are blatantly dangerous and guarantee self-inflicted disaster.
ఎముక లేని నాలుక ఎటు తిప్పినా తిరుగుతుంది
emuka leni naluka etu tippina tirugutundi
A boneless tongue can be turned in any direction.
This expression is used to describe people who are inconsistent, make false promises, or change their words easily to suit their convenience. Since the tongue has no bone, it can 'bend' to say anything, implying that a person can lie or go back on their word without any physical restraint or moral conviction.
ఎముక లేని నాలుక ఎటు తిప్పినా తిరుగుతుంది
emuka leni naluka etu tippina tirugutundi
The boneless tongue turns in any way.
This proverb is used to describe people who are inconsistent with their words, lie easily, or make promises they don't intend to keep. Since the tongue has no bone to restrict its movement, it can say anything (true or false) to suit the situation or to escape accountability.
Said of a liar. He lies as fast as a dog can trot.
కోడల్ని కొట్టినవాడు అత్తని కొట్టలేడా?
kodalni kottinavadu attani kottaleda?
Can the one who hit the daughter-in-law not hit the mother-in-law?
This expression means that a person who is capable of committing a minor offense or mistreating a specific person is also capable of committing a bigger offense or attacking someone in a higher position. It is used to warn that once a person crosses a boundary of decency or law, no one is safe from their behavior.
కొట్టినా వంగని కొడుకు, తిప్పినా తిరగని మీసం వ్యర్థం.
kottina vangani koduku, tippina tiragani misam vyartham.
A son who does not bow even when beaten, and a mustache that does not curl when twirled, are both useless.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of discipline, respect, and masculinity in a traditional context. It suggests that a son who is stubborn or disobedient despite correction is of no value to the family, just as a mustache (often seen as a symbol of pride or virility) that cannot be groomed or maintained lacks character.
రోళ్లు కొత్తవి అయితే, తిరగండ్లు కొత్తవా?
rollu kottavi ayite, tiragandlu kottava?
Though the Âllu be new, are the mill stones new ? An answer to a lame excuse.
This proverb is used to point out that while some circumstances or people in a situation might be new, the fundamental problems, habits, or nature of the task remain the same. It is often used when someone tries to act as if a situation is completely different just because of minor changes, reminding them that the core reality hasn't changed.