మొగవారి కాలుసేయి తాకితే, ఆడువారు పెకల్లుతారట

mogavari kaluseyi takite, aduvaru pekallutarata

Translation

It is said that if a man's leg or hand touches them, women will be uprooted.

Meaning

This is a sarcastic or humorous proverb used to mock people who act overly delicate, fragile, or sensitive. It is often directed at those who pretend to be extremely vulnerable or 'break' easily under the slightest contact or pressure.

Related Phrases

Sycophants scratch pimples for a livelihood.

This proverb describes people who resort to extreme sycophancy or humiliating behavior just to earn a living or gain favor. It highlights how some individuals lose their self-respect and do unpleasant or demeaning tasks (symbolized by scratching someone else's sores) to satisfy their hunger or greed.

Will those who cannot rule a village be able to rule kingdoms?

This proverb is used to criticize someone who aspires for great responsibilities or high positions while failing to handle small, basic tasks. It emphasizes that competence at a smaller scale is a prerequisite for larger leadership roles.

Good and bad are the warp and the woof.

Life is a fabric woven with both good and bad experiences. This expression is used to convey that success and failure, or joy and sorrow, are inseparable parts of the human experience, just like the vertical (warp) and horizontal (woof) threads that make a cloth.

It is difficult to bear with a woman who has learned to read and a man who has learned to cook.

This traditional proverb suggests that when individuals cross into roles traditionally held by the opposite gender (in a historical context), they tend to become overly pedantic, meticulous, or argumentative about it. It describes the irritation caused by people who over-analyze tasks that are supposed to be simple or routine.

If a household fails, it is written in the woman's fate; if children do not survive, it is written in the man's fate.

This traditional proverb reflects old societal beliefs regarding gender roles. It suggests that the success or harmony of a family is traditionally attributed to the woman's destiny and character, while the survival and legacy of children are linked to the man's destiny. It is used to highlight the perceived responsibilities and spiritual 'writing on the forehead' (fate) of individuals within a family unit.

When someone shouted 'A scorpion, bring it out!', he said 'Call the men!', to which they replied 'Aren't you a man?'

This expression is used to mock someone who boasts about their bravery or status but avoids responsibility or shows cowardice when a real challenge or crisis arises. It highlights hypocrisy or laziness in people who consider themselves superior but refuse to act when needed.

If the forearm moves, the elbow moves.

This expression emphasizes the importance of hard work and action. It means that only when you put in the physical effort (moving your hands/forearm) will you get the momentum and results (the rest of the arm moving) needed to sustain yourself, typically referring to the act of working to earn a meal.

A touch of the sari's edge is worth ten million gold coins.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely stingy or protective of their wealth. It implies that the person is so miserly that even a slight accidental contact with them or their clothing is treated as a major loss or a demand for a fortune. It can also sarcastically describe someone who thinks too highly of their own value or status.

If the members of your family point their fingers at you, the outsiders will point their legs.

This proverb highlights that if family members disrespect or expose the weaknesses of their own kin, outsiders will feel emboldened to treat them with even greater contempt or cause more significant harm. It emphasizes the importance of family unity and loyalty in maintaining social standing.

The wisdom of a washerman is better than the mind of a scholar.

This proverb emphasizes that practical common sense and real-world experience are often more valuable than mere bookish knowledge or theoretical learning without application.