మాను మాను తిరిగి మహికోతి కైవడి
manu manu tirigi mahikoti kaivadi
Like a great monkey wandering from tree to tree
This expression describes a person who is restless, fickle, or constantly shifting from one thing to another without focus. It is often used to characterize someone who lacks stability in their thoughts or actions, much like a monkey that cannot stay on one branch for long.
Related Phrases
విటుని పచ్చ జూచి తాళలేక తానిటు నిలను దిరుగుట.
vituni pachcha juchi talaleka tanitu nilanu diruguta.
Unable to bear seeing the lover's greenness, wandering about the earth here.
This poetic expression describes someone who is restless or wandering aimlessly due to the unbearable sight or thought of their lover's beauty or prosperity. It is often used to describe the state of longing, envy, or being deeply unsettled by another person's radiant appearance or success.
ఇరుగు ఇంగలం పొరుగు మంగలం
irugu ingalam porugu mangalam
The neighbors are fire and the surroundings are soot (or bad omens).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is surrounded by difficult or troublesome neighbors on all sides. It implies that no matter which way you turn, there is conflict or negativity, making it impossible to live in peace.
కనుమనాడు మినుము కొరకాలి
kanumanadu minumu korakali
One must bite/eat black gram on Kanuma day
This is a traditional saying related to the Sankranti festival. Kanuma is the third day of the harvest festival, dedicated to cattle. It is a cultural custom to consume black gram (minumulu) in some form—usually as Vada or Garelu—on this day to ensure health and strength for the coming year.
తంబళ అనుమానము
tambala anumanamu
The scrupulosity of a Śaiva priest. The Tambaḷas are a class of Śûdra priests who wear the sacred thread, and endeavour to observe Brahminical customs. Applied to foolish scruples.
This expression refers to excessive or unnecessary suspicion. It originates from a folklore where a priest (Tambala) remains suspicious of others' intentions even when things are straightforward, leading to self-created anxiety or complications. It is used to describe a person who doubts everything despite having no valid reason.
మాను పండ్లు మాను కిందనే రాలుతవి.
manu pandlu manu kindane ralutavi.
The tree's fruits fall below the tree.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. It is used to describe how children often inherit the characteristics, behaviors, or qualities of their parents or family environment.
What is in your lot, that you will have. Every man hath his own planet.
నా మాట మీద నమ్మకం లేకపోతే మా అమ్మను రాట్నం అమ్మవద్దని చెప్పు
na mata mida nammakam lekapote ma ammanu ratnam ammavaddani cheppu
If you do not trust my word, ask my mother not to sell the spinning wheel.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a grand or false promise based on a future event they have no intention of fulfilling. It highlights a person's lack of sincerity or credibility by creating a circular, illogical excuse.
తాను దొంగై, ఇంటిపై అనుమాన పడినట్లు.
tanu dongai, intipai anumana padinatlu.
Like a thief himself doubting the whole house.
This proverb describes a situation where a guilty person suspects others of the very same misdeeds they are committing. It is used when someone's own dishonesty or flaws lead them to distrust everyone else around them, often as a psychological projection.
కాసులకును దిరుగు కలుగునా మోక్షంబు
kasulakunu dirugu kaluguna mokshambu
Can salvation be achieved by those who wander after coins (money)?
This expression emphasizes that spiritual liberation or true peace cannot be attained by someone whose mind is constantly preoccupied with materialistic greed and wealth. It is used to highlight the conflict between extreme materialism and spiritual growth.
తాను దొంగైతే, ఇరుగు పొరుగును నమ్మడు.
tanu dongaite, irugu porugunu nammadu.
If one is a thief themselves, they won't trust their neighbors.
This proverb describes a person who, due to their own dishonest nature or bad habits, projects those same qualities onto others. It is used to describe someone who is overly suspicious of others because they know their own faults. It is similar to the English expression 'a thief thinks everyone steals'.
మారుమనుం కోడలికి మలిమనుం అత్త సలహాలు
marumanum kodaliki malimanum atta salahalu
Second-marriage daughter-in-law getting advice from a second-marriage mother-in-law.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two people who have both made similar mistakes or have similar controversial backgrounds are trying to advise or judge one another. It implies that neither party has the moral high ground or superior experience to be lecturing the other, often highlighting hypocrisy or a 'pot calling the kettle black' scenario.