కూచిపూడి దొంగతనానికి కట్టుబట్టలు కావలెనా
kuchipudi dongatananiki kattubattalu kavalena
Does a theft in Kuchipudi require formal clothing?
This proverb is used to highlight that for certain actions or situations, specific preparations or formalities are unnecessary. It is often used to mock someone who is worrying about minor details or appearances when the task at hand is either straightforward or inherently messy/improper.
Related Phrases
బండి దొంగరికము
bandi dongarikamu
Stealing a cart. Open robbery.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a mistake or commits a fault, but instead of admitting it, they try to shift the blame onto someone else or act as if they are the victim. It refers to someone being caught in a wrong act but behaving dishonestly to escape the consequences.
తనకు చెప్ప తడికల చాటు, ఒకరికి చెప్ప ఒప్పులకుప్ప
tanaku cheppa tadikala chatu, okariki cheppa oppulakuppa
Hiding behind a fence when told to do it oneself, but acting like a master of virtues when telling others.
This proverb is used to describe a hypocritical person who avoids responsibility or hides when it is their turn to perform a task, yet eagerly gives advice and lectures others on how to do things perfectly. It is similar to the English expression 'Practicing what you preach.'
రోజులు మంచివని పగలే దొంగతనానికి బయలుదేరినట్లు.
rojulu manchivani pagale dongatananiki bayaluderinatlu.
Like someone setting out to commit a theft during the day just because the days are good.
This proverb is used to mock someone who misinterprets a favorable situation or a 'good time' as an excuse to perform foolish, risky, or illegal acts without caution. It highlights the irony of using a positive circumstance to justify an inherently wrong or illogical action.
ముల్లు తీయను ముల్లే కావాలి, దొంగను పట్టను దొంగే కావాలి
mullu tiyanu mulle kavali, donganu pattanu donge kavali
To remove a thorn, you need a thorn; to catch a thief, you need a thief.
This expression means that sometimes you must use the same methods or types of people associated with a problem to solve it. It is equivalent to the English proverbs 'set a thief to catch a thief' or 'fight fire with fire,' implying that specialized knowledge or similar tactics are required to overcome a specific challenge.
దొంగ సంగతి దొంగకే ఎరుగును
donga sangati dongake erugunu
Only a thief knows the secrets of another thief
This proverb implies that people of the same kind, especially those involved in deceptive or specific activities, understand each other's tactics and mindsets better than outsiders. It is used to suggest that it takes one to know one.
కూచిపూడి కుక్క మొరిగినా సంగీతమే.
kuchipudi kukka morigina sangitame.
Even if a dog from Kuchipudi barks, it is music.
This proverb highlights the influence of one's environment and upbringing. Kuchipudi is a village famous for its classical dance and music; therefore, the saying suggests that in a place so deeply rooted in art, even the most mundane sounds (like a dog barking) possess artistic quality. It is used to describe a person who is so naturally talented or well-trained that even their casual efforts are impressive.
వెయ్యి రూపాయలు కావలెనా, వెధవ తోడబుట్టినది కావలెనా?
veyyi rupayalu kavalena, vedhava todabuttinadi kavalena?
Do you want the thousand Rupees, or the widow sister ? Among the Vaishṇava Brahmans the widows make themselves very useful and earn something for their livelihood. The proverb refers to a partition of the property.
This is a traditional proverb or 'sametha' used to illustrate the burden of responsibility and the preference for wealth over troublesome familial obligations in a sarcastic or harsh manner. It highlights a cynical view of prioritizing financial gain over supporting a family member who may be seen as a lifelong liability (as a widow was historically perceived).
* Wie leicht kommt nicht ein Haar in die Butter!
పని చేయనివాడు ఇంటికి దొంగ, పన్ను ఇవ్వనివాడు దివాణానికి దొంగ
pani cheyanivadu intiki donga, pannu ivvanivadu divananiki donga
The one who does not work is a thief to the house; the one who does not pay taxes is a thief to the government.
This proverb highlights personal and civic responsibilities. It suggests that a family member who doesn't contribute labor is a burden to the household, just as a citizen who evades taxes is a traitor to the state (divanam). It is used to emphasize that laziness and tax evasion are both forms of dishonesty.
కూచిపూడిలో కుక్క మొరిగినా సంగీతమే
kuchipudilo kukka morigina sangitame
Even if a dog barks in Kuchipudi, it sounds like music.
This proverb is used to highlight the prestige or high standards of a place or environment known for a specific art or excellence. Kuchipudi is a village famous for the classical dance form of the same name. The saying implies that when you are in a place filled with talent and culture, even the most mundane or random sounds seem refined and artistic.
మందికి చెప్పాను కానీ, మనకు చెప్పానా?
mandiki cheppanu kani, manaku cheppana?
I told the crowd, but did I tell myself?
This expression is used to describe a person who gives advice to everyone else but fails to follow that same advice in their own life. It highlights hypocrisy or the gap between preaching and practicing, similar to the English idiom 'Practice what you preach.'