ముందరి కాళ్లకు బందాలు వేసి ముండల తాళ్లు తెంపేవాడు
mundari kallaku bandalu vesi mundala tallu tempevadu
A man who ties the fore legs together and breaks the widows' cords. Said of a crafty swindler, who having made his victim as helpless as an animal whose fore feet have been tied together proceeds to plunder. Widows wear no cords ; the expression signifies a state of helplessness.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely clever, mischievous, or deceitful in a destructive way. It refers to someone who can simultaneously perform a restrictive action (like hobbling an animal) and a socially disruptive or cruel action (like breaking a widow's traditional bond). In modern usage, it often characterizes a person who is capable of doing anything, often implying they are a cunning troublemaker or a 'smart aleck' who creates chaos.
Related Phrases
అందరి కాళ్ళకు మొక్కినా అత్తగారింటికి పోక తప్పదు.
andari kallaku mokkina attagarintiki poka tappadu.
Even if you bow down to everyone's feet, you cannot avoid going to your mother-in-law's house.
This proverb is used to convey that one cannot escape their inevitable duties or destiny, no matter how much they try to resist or plead. It highlights that certain responsibilities or transitions in life are unavoidable and must be faced sooner or later.
ముందరి కాళ్ళకు బంధాలు
mundari kallaku bandhalu
Shackles for the front legs
This expression is used to describe an action taken in advance to prevent someone or something from moving forward or causing trouble. It refers to the practice of tying the front legs of an animal to restrict its movement, figuratively implying a preemptive strike or a preventative measure to keep a situation under control.
ఏటు ముందా ఏకాదశి ముందా?
etu munda ekadashi munda?
Which comes first, the blow or the Ekadashi fast?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is already suffering from one problem and is suddenly hit with another. It specifically refers to being caught between a physical hardship (the blow) and a religious or self-imposed hardship (the fast). It is used when someone is overwhelmed by consecutive or simultaneous troubles.
ఏరు ముందా, ఏరువాక ముందా, ఏకాదశి ముందా, పున్నమి ముందా?
eru munda, eruvaka munda, ekadashi munda, punnami munda?
Is the river first, the start of plowing first, the Ekadashi festival first, or the full moon first?
This is a traditional Telugu riddle or rhetorical question used to highlight the confusion or overlapping priorities of agricultural and spiritual life. It refers to 'Eruvaka Punnam', a festival marking the start of the monsoon and the first plowing. It is often used to describe a state of confusion when multiple important events happen simultaneously, or to test one's knowledge of seasonal cycles and traditions.
ఊరి ముందరి చేను కాకుల పాలు
uri mundari chenu kakula palu
A farm located right in front of the village belongs to the crows.
This proverb highlights that assets or properties that are easily accessible to everyone often end up being wasted, damaged, or stolen because they cannot be properly guarded. Just as a field near a village is easily picked over by birds before the owner can harvest it, things that lack privacy or protection are prone to exploitation.
సుత్తె ముందా? కారు ముందా?
sutte munda? karu munda?
Was the hammer first, or were the tongs ?
This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme confusion, circular logic, or a 'chicken and egg' dilemma. It refers to the irony that a blacksmith needs a hammer to make pincers, but needs pincers to hold the metal to make a hammer. It is often used to mock someone who is confused about the order of operations or stuck in a paradox.
తన కాళ్లకు బందాలు తానే తెచ్చుకొన్నట్టు.
tana kallaku bandalu tane techchukonnattu.
He brought fetters for his own legs. He brings a staff to brak his ain head. (Scotch.)
This expression describes a situation where a person, through their own actions or decisions, creates obstacles or restrictions for themselves. It is used when someone's self-inflicted complications lead to their own downfall or lack of freedom.
పాతముండలందరూ పోగై, కొత్తముండ తాడు తెంపినట్లు.
patamundalandaru pogai, kottamunda tadu tempinatlu.
Like all the old widows gathering together to snap the thread of a new widow.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where experienced people who have already suffered a misfortune or are in a bad state, influence or force a newcomer into the same miserable condition. It highlights the toxic behavior of groups who, instead of helping someone avoid their fate, actively work to ensure the new person suffers just like they did.
లగ్గం ముందా పల్లకి ముందా అన్నాట్ట
laggam munda pallaki munda annatta
Did the auspicious wedding time come first, or did the palanquin arrive first?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is caught up in trivial or logistical details (like the arrival of a transport palanquin) while overlooking the primary, essential event (the wedding timing itself). It refers to poor prioritization or unnecessary confusion regarding the order of events.
పాతముండలందరూ పోగయి కొత్తముండ తాడు తెంపినట్టు.
patamundalandaru pogayi kottamunda tadu tempinattu.
Like the old widows assembling to break the marriage cord of a new widow. A gang of rascals conspiring to ruin a new comer, who they fear will be in their way.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a group of people who are already in a miserable or failed state influence a newcomer to join their ranks or suffer the same fate. It highlights how people in bad circumstances sometimes collectively ensure that others don't fare better than them, or how bad company can quickly lead someone to ruin.