బీచారాలు వేశాయి అత్తయ్యా అంటే పుడిసెడు వెనక్కుతీయవే కోడలా అన్నదట
bicharalu veshayi attayya ante pudisedu venakkutiyave kodala annadata
When the daughter-in-law said the crops have yielded seeds, the mother-in-law asked her to take a handful back.
This proverb is used to describe people who are extremely stingy or greedy. It depicts a situation where, instead of being happy about a harvest, a person immediately thinks of how to hoard or save even a tiny amount more, showing an obsessive level of frugality or selfishness.
Related Phrases
అంబటి ఏరు వచ్చింది అత్తగారూ అంటే, కొలబుట్టి నా చేతిలోనే ఉన్నది కోడలా అన్నదట.
ambati eru vachchindi attagaru ante, kolabutti na chetilone unnadi kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said 'A flood of porridge has arrived, mother-in-law!', the mother-in-law replied 'The measuring basket is still in my hand, daughter-in-law.'
This proverb highlights excessive control, stinginess, or a refusal to let go of authority even when there is an abundance of resources. It describes a situation where a person in power insists on rationing or strictly controlling something even when it is available in plenty, or simply asserts their dominance for the sake of it.
బడాయి ఏమిర అన్నయ్యా అంటే పైసా లేదుర తమ్మయ్యా అన్నాడట
badayi emira annayya ante paisa ledura tammayya annadata
When asked 'What is with this showing off, brother?', he replied 'I don't have a single paisa, younger brother.'
This proverb is used to mock people who boast or show off their status and lifestyle while actually being broke or having no resources. It highlights the irony of people maintaining a grand facade despite having an empty pocket.
రావేమయ్యా తిండివేమయ్యా అంటే వెనక్కే పోయానన్నాడట.
ravemayya tindivemayya ante venakke poyanannadata.
When asked, "Come sir, have some food," he replied, "I have already gone back (declined/left)."
This expression is used to describe a person who is overly sensitive, unnecessarily prideful, or plays hard to get even when someone is being hospitable. It depicts a situation where a guest feels offended or acts dramatic over a perceived delay in an invitation, responding with a sarcastic or stubborn attitude despite actually wanting the favor.
ఆకలి వేస్తోంది అత్తగారా అంటే, రోకలి మింగవే కోడలా అన్నదట.
akali vestondi attagara ante, rokali mingave kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said she was hungry, her mother- in-law told her to swallow the pestle.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone asks for a basic necessity or a small favor and receives a cruel, impossible, or mocking response instead of help. It highlights the lack of empathy or the hostile relationship between two people, often used to critique someone who gives heartless advice.
Rōkali is a wooden pestle, five or six feet long, used for pounding rice.
చెడ్డవాడు వెనకయ్య చేతికి వెసలిచ్చినట్లు.
cheddavadu venakayya chetiki vesalichchinatlu.
Like giving a vessel to a bad man named Venkayya.
This proverb describes a situation where an unreliable or irresponsible person is given a task or an object, which they will inevitably ruin or lose. It is used when someone entrusts something valuable to a person known for their carelessness or bad character, leading to a predictable failure.
ఆకాశంలో అగడప వేసిందే అత్తా అంటే, నా చేతిలో అబక ఉన్నదిలే కోడలా అన్నదట
akashamlo agadapa vesinde atta ante, na chetilo abaka unnadile kodala annadata
When the daughter-in-law said, 'Mother-in-law, a barrier has been placed in the sky,' the mother-in-law replied, 'I have the ladle in my hand, dear.'
This proverb is used to describe a competitive relationship or a 'one-upmanship' attitude, particularly between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. It highlights a situation where one person makes an absurd or exaggerated claim, and the other responds with an equally nonsensical or defiant retort just to show they are not outdone or to maintain authority, regardless of logic.
పడినాయి అన్నదట.
padinayi annadata.
She said 'they have fallen'.
This phrase is used to describe a person who tries to cover up their failure or misfortune by acting as if it was their original intention or a deliberate choice. It originates from a story where a person falls down and, to avoid embarrassment, claims they intended to lie down.
అగడపలు వేసినవి అత్తగారా అంటే, కొలబుర్ర నా చేతిలోనే ఉన్నది కోడలా అన్నదట.
agadapalu vesinavi attagara ante, kolaburra na chetilone unnadi kodala annadata.
"See! The signs of rain appear!" cried the daughter-in-law "What of that?" said the mother-in-law "I have the measure." (See, Nos. 19, 155.)
This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to hide their lack of progress or authority by asserting that they still hold the means of control. It is used to point out someone who is being evasive, lazy, or trying to maintain power without actually completing the task at hand.
ఆడపలు వేసినవి అత్తా అంటే, అట్లకు బియ్యం నానబొయ్యి కోడలా అన్నదట.
adapalu vesinavi atta ante, atlaku biyyam nanaboyyi kodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said the clouds had gathered, the mother-in-law told her to soak rice for crepes.
This proverb describes a situation where someone misinterprets a sign of trouble or a warning as a reason for celebration or greed. When the daughter-in-law warns of dark clouds (incoming rain/storm), the mother-in-law, thinking only of tasty food, asks to prepare for snacks. It is used to mock people who lack foresight or who are disconnected from reality due to their desires.
అగడపలు వేసినవి అత్తా అంటే, చేరెడు వెనక్కుకోడలా అన్నదట.
agadapalu vesinavi atta ante, cheredu venakkukodala annadata.
When the daughter-in-law said the boundary logs have been laid, the mother-in-law told her to move them back by a handful.
This proverb is used to describe a person (usually someone in authority) who gives unnecessary or contradictory advice just to show their dominance, even when the work done is perfectly fine. It highlights the tendency of some people to find faults or demand changes simply to exercise their power.