మంచం మీద ఉన్నంతసేపు మొగుడు, కిందికి దిగితే యముడు
mancham mida unnantasepu mogudu, kindiki digite yamudu
A husband as long as he is on the bed, but Death (Yama) once he steps down.
This expression describes someone who is affectionate or kind only when they want something (often sexual or personal favors) but becomes cruel, rude, or indifferent once their need is met. It is used to highlight hypocrisy and selfish behavior in relationships.
Related Phrases
ఆలుమగల కలహం, ఆరికకూడు వండినంతసేపే.
alumagala kalaham, arikakudu vandinantasepe.
A dispute between a husband and wife lasts only as long as it takes to cook millet.
This proverb highlights the temporary and fleeting nature of domestic quarrels between a married couple. Kodo millet (arika) cooks very quickly; similarly, the disagreement between a couple is expected to resolve by the time their next meal is prepared, suggesting that they shouldn't hold grudges.
ఆలుమగల కలహం అద్దంమీద పెసరగింజ ఉన్నంతసేపే
alumagala kalaham addammida pesaraginja unnantasepe
A quarrel between a husband and wife lasts only as long as a green gram stays on a mirror.
This proverb highlights the transient nature of domestic disputes between couples. Just as a small, smooth seed like a green gram cannot find a grip and quickly slides off a slippery surface like a mirror, a disagreement between a married couple is expected to be fleeting and will resolve itself very quickly.
శివుడంటే యముడికి కూడా భయమే
shivudante yamudiki kuda bhayame
Even Yama (the God of Death) is afraid of Shiva.
This expression is used to describe an extremely powerful or influential person whom even the most formidable authorities fear. It highlights supreme authority and indicates that someone is so strong that even those who are usually feared by others are intimidated by them.
ఎన్నో రణాలు కోసినాను గాని నా రణమంత సేపు లేదు అన్నట్టు.
enno ranalu kosinanu gani na ranamanta sepu ledu annattu.
I have operated on many wounds, but none took as long as my own.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is an expert at solving others' problems finds themselves struggling significantly when a similar problem affects them personally. It highlights how personal involvement can make a task feel more difficult or time-consuming than when doing it for others.
ఆలూ మొగుని సందు పోట్లాట అద్దము మీద పెసరగింజ వేసినంత సేపు
alu moguni sandu potlata addamu mida pesaraginja vesinanta sepu
A quarrel between man and wife only lasts as long as a Pesara seed stays on a looking glass.
This proverb describes the fleeting nature of domestic quarrels between a married couple. Just as a smooth, round seed cannot stay on a slippery mirror and falls off instantly, the arguments between a husband and wife are temporary and resolve very quickly. It is used to advise others not to interfere in a couple's small tiffs, as they will reconcile almost immediately.
మంచమున్నంత వరకు కాళ్ళు చాచుకొ
manchamunnanta varaku kallu chachuko
Stretch your legs as far as the cot permits.
A piece of advice to adjust with available things. Similar to “Cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth”; that is, live within your means.
కుక్క బుద్ధి దాలికుంటలో ఉన్నంతసేపే
kukka buddhi dalikuntalo unnantasepe
A dog's behavior remains calm only as long as it is in the fireplace ash pit.
This proverb is used to describe a person whose nature or bad habits are only temporarily suppressed due to their current circumstances or surroundings. Just as a dog stays quiet and still while enjoying the warmth of the warm ashes in a fireplace (dalikunta) but returns to its restless or barking nature the moment it leaves, some people only behave well when it is convenient or comfortable for them.
కలిమి ఉన్నంతసేపే బలగం, కండ ఉన్నంతసేపే మిండడు
kalimi unnantasepe balagam, kanda unnantasepe mindadu
Relatives stay as long as there is wealth, a lover stays as long as there is physical strength.
This proverb highlights the transient and opportunistic nature of human relationships. It suggests that most people surround you only for their own benefit; relatives and friends stick around for your money, while romantic interests may stay only for physical vitality or prowess. Once these assets are gone, the people often disappear.
కలిమి ఉన్నంతసేపు బలగము, కండ ఉన్నంతసేపు మిండడు
kalimi unnantasepu balagamu, kanda unnantasepu mindadu
As long as there is wealth, there are followers; as long as there is physical strength, there is a lover.
This proverb highlights the transient and opportunistic nature of human relationships. It suggests that people often stay around others only for selfish reasons—either for money or physical attraction—and may desert them once those assets are gone. It is used to describe fair-weather friends or superficial bonds.
ఏటికి ఎప్పుడు పోయినావు ఇసుక ఎప్పుడు తెచ్చినావు అంటే, ఆడవారు తలిస్తే అది ఎంతసేపు అన్నదట—మొగవారు తలిస్తే ఇది ఎంతసేపు అని నాలుగు బాదినాడట.
etiki eppudu poyinavu isuka eppudu techchinavu ante, adavaru taliste adi entasepu annadata—mogavaru taliste idi entasepu ani nalugu badinadata.
" When did you go to the river, when did you bring the sand ?" [asked the husband ] "If women like, how long will that take ?" [saucily replied the wife ] "If men like, how long will this take ?" [said the husband ] giving her four double-handers. The husband's question was caused by finding sand in his food.
This proverb is a sarcastic take on making excuses and the consequences of over-cleverness. It describes a situation where a woman tries to cover up a lie with a boastful remark about her capabilities, only for her husband to respond with a harsh reality check. It is used to caution against making unrealistic claims or using wit to hide faults, as it may provoke an equally strong or stronger reaction.
* Il faut tendre volle selon le vent.