మామతో కూడ వేడన్నం తిని, అక్కతో కూడ పైటన్నం తిని, అమ్మతో కూడ అంబలి తాగేవాడు

mamato kuda vedannam tini, akkato kuda paitannam tini, ammato kuda ambali tagevadu

Translation

One who eats hot rice with father-in-law, cold rice with sister, and drinks porridge with mother.

Meaning

This proverb describes a clever, adaptable, or opportunistic person who knows how to adjust their behavior depending on who they are with to suit their own benefit. It highlights the tendency to enjoy luxuries with those who can afford them while appearing humble or simple with those who have less, or simply fitting into any social circle seamlessly.

Related Phrases

Like running with the rabbits and hunting with the hounds.

This expression describes a person who is hypocritical or double-dealing. It refers to someone who pretends to be a friend to both sides of a conflict, or someone who tries to support opposing interests simultaneously for their own benefit.

Like the fiber that reaches the head along with the flowers.

This proverb describes how an ordinary or low-status person gains respect or a higher position simply by being in the company of great people. Just as the fiber (nara) used to tie a garland is worn on the head along with the fragrant flowers, an individual benefits from the association with virtuous or successful people.

He eats cold rice with his father, hot rice with his sister, and rice pudding with his mother.

This expression describes a person who is highly opportunistic or clever at adapting to their surroundings to get the best out of every situation. It refers to someone who manages to dine with everyone, upgrading their meal each time, symbolizing their ability to benefit from multiple parties by playing different roles.

Just like pinching along with the son-in-law.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes advantage of a specific occasion to sneak in their own petty or mischievous actions. It refers to a story where a mother-in-law, while performing a ritual to ward off the evil eye for her son-in-law, uses the proximity to secretly pinch him. It highlights behavior where a person performs a malicious act under the guise of doing something formal or necessary.

She allegedly wove a cot with her father-in-law and then came to weave a bamboo screen with the grandfather.

This proverb describes a person who, having overstepped boundaries or been overly familiar with one person, attempts to do the same with an even more senior or respected elder. It is used to mock someone's audacity, lack of shame, or inappropriate social behavior where they fail to maintain proper distance and respect within family or social hierarchies.

Like serving poison along with milk

This expression describes a situation where something harmful or malicious is hidden within something seemingly good, pure, or beneficial. It is used to caution against treachery or to describe a betrayal where kindness is used as a facade for a hidden agenda.

Like eating the sugarcane along with its roots just because it is sweet.

This proverb describes greed or over-exploitation. It is used to caution someone who, out of liking or benefit, tries to consume or exhaust a resource completely without leaving anything for sustenance or the future, eventually ruining the source itself.

A gurgling sound is a loss to the pot.

This proverb implies that making unnecessary noise or talking too much about a plan or a secret can lead to its failure. Just as a gurgling sound in a pot might indicate a crack or an instability that could lead to the pot breaking, loose talk or 'noise' in business or personal matters can result in damage or loss.

If the son-in-law is my daughter's husband, is the pinch that came with the son-in-law my husband?

This proverb is used to mock someone who makes absurd or nonsensical comparisons, or someone who draws illogical conclusions from a simple fact. It highlights the foolishness of trying to establish unnecessary or impossible relationships between unrelated things.

Whispered consultations lead to the ruin of the hut.

This proverb warns that secretive or manipulative plotting (whispering) often leads to the destruction of one's own home or foundation. It is used to suggest that transparency is better than conspiring, as secret schemes usually backfire on the people involved.