ముడ్డికి పేడ ఉన్నదెల్లా బండి ఎద్దేనా?
muddiki peda unnadella bandi eddena?
Just because there is dung on its rear, does every bull become a cart-pulling bull?
This proverb is used to point out that outward appearances or superficial similarities do not necessarily mean something possesses the actual quality, skill, or status it claims to have. It is often used to mock someone who mimics the external traits of a professional or an expert without having the underlying capability.
Related Phrases
మట్టి ఎద్దయినా, మా ఎద్దే గెలవాలి
matti eddayina, ma edde gelavali
Although it is an earthen one, yet my ox will beat [the real ox].
This proverb describes a person's extreme stubbornness or irrational bias. It is used to mock someone who refuses to accept defeat or admit they are wrong, insisting that their side must prevail even when it is clearly inferior or incapable.
Excessive obstinacy.
ముడ్డి కాలిన పిల్లి మూతికి వెన్న రాసినట్లు
muddi kalina pilli mutiki venna rasinatlu
Like applying butter to the mouth of a cat with a burnt backside
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely restless, impatient, or constantly on the move because of a problem they are facing, while someone else offers a superficial or irrelevant solution. It can also refer to a person who is in a frantic state of agitation and cannot stay in one place.
నగరి పేదా, ఉప్పు చేదా?
nagari peda, uppu cheda?
Is the city poor, or is the salt bitter?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who makes lame excuses or finds faults in things that are generally good or standard. It implies that a city (representing wealth/abundance) cannot be truly poor, and salt cannot be bitter; therefore, the problem lies with the person's perception or their unwillingness to accept reality.
ముడ్డికిందికి నీళ్లు వస్తే లేవక మానరు
muddikindiki nillu vaste levaka manaru
When water reaches beneath the buttocks, one cannot help but get up.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is forced to act only when a problem becomes imminent or unavoidable. It suggests that most people do not take action until a crisis is literally 'at their seat,' highlighting human tendency towards procrastination until there is no other choice.
మనిషి పేద అయీతే మాటకు పేదా?
manishi peda ayite mataku peda?
Does it mean that being poor, one should be poor in one’s speech as well?
One may give a noble speech, even if one is financially poor. The nobility of one does not depend on one’s wealth or the lack of it.
ఉన్నవాడు ఊరికి పెద్ద, చచ్చినవాడు కాటికి పెద్ద.
unnavadu uriki pedda, chachchinavadu katiki pedda.
He that is alive is the head man of the village, and he that is dead is the head man of the burial ground. A taunt used to one who tries to make out that he is very highly connected.
This proverb highlights the transient nature of power and social status. It suggests that authority and leadership are only relevant while a person is alive and present in society; once deceased, their worldly influence vanishes and they belong only to the graveyard.
పట్టినదెల్లా బంగారం ముట్టినదెల్లా ముత్యం
pattinadella bangaram muttinadella mutyam
Whatever is held turns into gold, whatever is touched turns into a pearl.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely lucky or highly successful in every endeavor they undertake. It is similar to the English expression 'The Midas Touch.' It implies that everything the person involves themselves in results in prosperity and success.
గుడ్డి ఎద్దు జొన్న చేలో పడ్డట్టు
guddi eddu jonna chelo paddattu
Like a blind bullock going into a field of millet. Not able to get much out of it.
This proverb describes a situation where someone stumbles upon a windfall or a great opportunity by sheer luck or accident, without any awareness or effort. It is used to remark on people who indulge themselves greedily when they find something beneficial, or those who benefit from a situation they don't fully understand.
కూటికి పేదయితే, కులానికి పేదా?
kutiki pedayite, kulaniki peda?
Though a man be poor, will he lose caste ?
This expression is used to remind others that being economically disadvantaged or lacking wealth does not mean a person lacks self-respect, dignity, or cultural identity. It suggests that poverty affects one's physical needs, but should not diminish their social standing or the respect they deserve.
చూచినదెల్లా సుంకము, పాశినదెల్లా పంకము
chuchinadella sunkamu, pashinadella pankamu
Every thing that is seen [is subjected to the payment of] duty; and every thing that is rotten [is thrown away in the] mud. Excessive demands.
This proverb describes a state of extreme greed or exploitation where an authority tries to tax or claim everything they lay their eyes on. It also suggests a situation where things have deteriorated to a point where everything useful is being exploited and everything left over is useless waste. It is often used to criticize greedy rulers or systems that leave nothing for the common person.