కుదిరితే గుజ్జుమంటే, కుదరకపోతే పుర్రమన్నాడట
kudirite gujjumante, kudarakapote purramannadata
When asked to sit properly he said 'Gujj'; when asked to move he said 'Purr'.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely uncooperative or stubborn, giving nonsensical or defiant answers to every suggestion. It is used to mock someone who deliberately acts difficult or makes strange excuses to avoid doing what is asked of them, regardless of the situation.
Related Phrases
పిచ్చి కుదిరింది రోకలి తలకు చుట్టమన్నాడట
pichchi kudirindi rokali talaku chuttamannadata
He said the madness is cured, now wrap a pestle around my head
This proverb is used to describe someone who claims to be reformed or cured of a problem but immediately suggests something equally absurd or foolish. It highlights a situation where there is no real improvement despite claims to the contrary, or when someone's inherent nature remains unchanged.
గుడ్డి గుర్రానికి పండ్లు తోమితే గుగ్గిళ్ళు అవుతాయా?
guddi gurraniki pandlu tomite guggillu avutaya?
If you brush the teeth of a blind horse, will they turn into boiled grains?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a useless or irrelevant action expecting a beneficial outcome. It highlights the futility of putting effort into something that does not change the fundamental nature of the problem or result in the desired reward.
పిల్ల కుదిరినా కుదరకపోయినా, వచ్చే నెలలో పెళ్ళి నిజమన్నాడట.
pilla kudirina kudarakapoyina, vachche nelalo pelli nijamannadata.
Whether a bride is found or not, the wedding is definitely happening next month, he said.
This expression is used to mock someone who is overly eager or determined to proceed with a plan even when the most essential requirements are not yet met. It highlights a lack of practical planning or a situation where someone is putting the cart before the horse.
కొటారు కొల్లపోతున్నది అంటే, పాలివాడు లేకుండ చూడరా అన్నాడట
kotaru kollapotunnadi ante, palivadu lekunda chudara annadata
When told the granary is being looted, he said, 'Just make sure the partner doesn't get a share.'
This proverb describes a person with a spiteful or self-destructive mindset. It refers to someone who is so consumed by envy or rivalry that they would rather see their entire property or business destroyed than let their partner or rival get a single piece of it. It is used to criticize petty behavior where one loses everything just to spite another.
వన్నెకు సున్నం పెడితే, వమ్మకు ఉండయిందట.
vanneku sunnam pedite, vammaku undayindata.
When lime was applied to improve the color, it resulted in a lump for the mother.
This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to improve something or make it beautiful actually ruins it or makes it worse. It is used when a well-intentioned action results in a complete mess or a loss of original value.
పనిలేక పటేలు ఇంటికి వెళితే, పాత గోడకు పూత పెట్టమన్నాడట
panileka patelu intiki velite, pata godaku puta pettamannadata
When someone went to the village head's house because they had no work, he told them to plaster an old wall.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where seeking help or engagement from someone in authority when idle results in being assigned a tedious, pointless, or unnecessary task. It suggests that it is sometimes better to be idle than to ask for work from those who will exploit your time with unproductive labor.
తాగబోతే మజ్జిగ లేదు కానీ, పెరుగుకు చీటి వ్రాయమన్నాడట
tagabote majjiga ledu kani, peruguku chiti vrayamannadata
When told there isn't even buttermilk to drink, he asked for a letter (note) for yogurt.
This proverb is used to mock people who demand luxuries or higher-level items when even basic necessities are unavailable. It describes a situation where someone is disconnected from reality or is being unnecessarily pretentious despite their poor circumstances.
నడమంత్రపు సిరి వస్తే, నడిరేయి గొడుగు పట్టమన్నాడట
nadamantrapu siri vaste, nadireyi godugu pattamannadata
When sudden wealth arrives, he asked for an umbrella to be held at midnight.
This proverb is used to describe the arrogant or foolish behavior of people who suddenly become wealthy or acquire power. It mocks those who display their new status ostentatiously and unnecessarily, like asking for a sunshade (umbrella) in the middle of the night just to show off their importance.
గొర్రెకు బెత్తెడే తోక
gorreku bettede toka
A sheep has a tail only as long as a hand's breadth.
This expression is used to describe something that is naturally limited or small by its very nature. It suggests that one should not expect more than what is possible or inherent in a person or situation. It is often used to tell someone to stay within their limits or to describe a person's limited influence or capacity.
ఎద్దు పొడుస్తుందని తన్నే గుర్రం చాటు చేరినట్లు.
eddu podustundani tanne gurram chatu cherinatlu.
Like seeking cover behind a kicking horse because a bull is trying to gore you.
This proverb describes a situation where a person tries to escape one danger only to end up in a much worse or equally dangerous situation. It is used when a 'remedy' or an alternative choice is just as harmful as the original problem.