ముద్దులయ్య పోయి, మొద్దులయ్య అయినాడు.
muddulayya poyi, moddulayya ayinadu.
The beloved boy left, and a blockhead has taken his place.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was once charming, active, or promising has become dull, lazy, or unresponsive over time. It signifies a negative transformation in personality or utility, often used when a child loses their childhood charm and becomes difficult or slow-witted.
Related Phrases
మొగుడంటే మొద్దులు పెట్టి, మిండడంటే ముద్దులు పెట్టును.
mogudante moddulu petti, mindadante muddulu pettunu.
She hits her husband with logs of wood, but showers her lover with kisses.
This proverb describes a person who is hypocritical or unfaithful, treating those who have a rightful claim to their affection with contempt or cruelty, while being overly affectionate toward those who are undeserving or illicit. It is generally used to critique misplaced priorities or disloyalty.
రాగాలు తీసి తీసి గవయ్య అయినాడు
ragalu tisi tisi gavayya ayinadu
By singing melodies repeatedly, he became a musician.
This expression is used to describe how constant practice and perseverance lead to mastery in any field. It is similar to the English proverb 'Practice makes perfect.'
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.
మూతి ముద్దులకేడిస్తే, వీపు గుద్దులకేడ్చిందట
muti muddulakediste, vipu guddulakedchindata
When the mouth cried for kisses, the back cried for punches.
This proverb describes a situation where someone's attempt to gain affection or a favor results in an unexpected punishment or a harsh consequence. It is often used to mock someone who expected a reward but received a reprimand instead, or when a situation backfires completely.
ఎల్లయ్యకు ఎడ్లు లేవు, మల్లయ్యకు మనుష్యులు లేరు
ellayyaku edlu levu, mallayyaku manushyulu leru
Ellayya has no oxen, and Mallayya has no men.
This expression is used to describe a situation where resources are poorly distributed or complementary assets are missing. It highlights a scenario where everyone lacks what is necessary to complete a task, emphasizing mutual deficiency or a lack of coordination where one person has land but no cattle, and another has strength but no helpers.
గొల్ల నుద్దులు, పిల్ల ముద్దులు
golla nuddulu, pilla muddulu
The shepherd's nap and a child's kisses.
This proverb refers to things that are brief and short-lived. A shepherd's sleep is interrupted by the flock, just as a child's kiss is fleeting. It is used to describe tasks or moments that do not last long.
కొడుకు ముద్దు, కోడలు మొద్దు.
koduku muddu, kodalu moddu.
The son is a darling, while the daughter-in-law is a blockhead.
This proverb reflects a common human bias and double standard within families. It highlights how parents often overlook their own child's faults (viewing them with affection) while being overly critical, dismissive, or insensitive toward their daughter-in-law's efforts and intelligence.
దోవన పోయేదెవరయ్యా అంటే దొబ్బులుతినే నేనయ్యా అన్నట్లు
dovana poyedevarayya ante dobbulutine nenayya annatlu
When asked who is passing by on the path, someone replies 'It is me, the one who gets scolded'
This expression describes a situation where an innocent bystander or a random person unnecessarily gets involved in trouble or becomes a scapegoat for no fault of their own. It is used to mock one's own misfortune of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
పుల్లయ్య వేమారం వెళ్లి వచ్చినట్లు
pullayya vemaram velli vachchinatlu
Like Pullayya going to Vemaram and coming back
This expression is used to describe a person who goes on a long journey or takes up a task but returns immediately without achieving anything or even starting the intended work. It highlights a futile, purposeless, or unproductive effort.
పుల్లయ్య వేమవరం
pullayya vemavaram
Pullayya's Vemavaram
This expression refers to a situation where someone gives an irrelevant or unrelated answer to a specific question. It is often used to describe a person who is absent-minded or dodging a point by talking about something completely different, similar to the English phrase 'talking at cross-purposes'.