ముగ్గురు మూడు లోకాలయితే, ముసలిది యమలోకం

This proverb describes a situation where someone who is already suffering or weak gets into even more trouble by taking on a burden or challenge they cannot handle, and then laments their fate. It is used to mock someone who unnecessarily invites trouble and then complains about the consequences.

This traditional proverb reflects the historical socioeconomic burden of the dowry system and wedding expenses in India. It suggests that the financial strain of marrying off three daughters can lead to total poverty, regardless of one's initial wealth or status.

This traditional proverb highlights the different roles family members play in a woman's life according to historical social norms. It suggests that while a husband is a woman's primary companion and focus during her lifetime, a son is seen as the one who ensures her spiritual salvation and peace in the afterlife through the performance of last rites and rituals.

This expression is used when something that has been long-awaited or achieved after great difficulty turns out to be defective or comes with a significant flaw. It describes a situation where the joy of a hard-won success is dampened by an unexpected problem.

This traditional expression highlights the difference between a woman's life at her parent's house (puttinillu), where she is often pampered and carefree, versus her life at her in-laws' house (mettinillu), where she faces responsibilities, restrictions, and sometimes hardships or criticism (arallu).

This expression is used to emphasize that a secret or a piece of information cannot be kept hidden once it is shared with even a few people. It suggests that news travels fast and will soon become public knowledge if shared beyond a single person.

This expression refers to something that is messy, disorganized, or poorly executed. It compares a drawing or task to a pattern made by a monkey or on rough stone, implying it lacks clarity, beauty, or skill. It is often used to describe bad handwriting or a chaotic situation.

This proverb is used to describe individuals who maintain their strength, productivity, or work capacity regardless of their age. It implies that certain beings remain robust and useful until the very end, suggesting that age is just a number for those with a strong constitution or work ethic.

This proverb is used to mock someone who, despite extensive training or preparation, achieves a useless or cowardly result. It highlights the irony of misusing one's skills to harm the weak instead of accomplishing something significant.

This traditional Telugu proverb reflects the historical socioeconomic burden of marrying off three daughters. It suggests that the expenses and responsibilities associated with the weddings and dowries of three girls would drain a family's wealth so entirely that even a wealthy or stable man (metaphorically the 'old man') would be rendered penniless or ruined.