నా ఇంటికి నేనే పెద్దను, పిల్లికి పెట్టరా పంగనామము
na intiki nene peddanu, pilliki pettara panganamamu
I am the head of my house, I order you to put a Panganâmam on the cat's face. The folly of a mean man in power.
This expression is used to describe someone who exercises their authority or power in a trivial, eccentric, or nonsensical manner just because they can. It highlights the behavior of people who, having no one to question them, make arbitrary and foolish decisions within their own domain.
Related Phrases
ఊరికి ఉపకారముగా ఆలికి కోక కొని పెడతాను, ఇంటింటికీ డబ్బు ఇవ్వండి అన్నాడట
uriki upakaramuga aliki koka koni pedatanu, intintiki dabbu ivvandi annadata
As a public benefaction, I will buy a cloth for my wife; give me a pice from each house.
This proverb is used to describe a person who wants to fulfill their personal responsibilities or selfish desires using others' resources, while pretending that they are doing a great service to society. It mocks those who seek public funds for private gains under the guise of altruism.
ఎలుక మీది కోపంతో ఇంటికి చిచ్చు పెట్టుకున్నట్టు
eluka midi kopanto intiki chichchu pettukunnattu
Like getting angry with a rat and setting fire to one's house.
This proverb describes a situation where someone, in an attempt to solve a minor problem or take revenge for a small annoyance, ends up causing immense, disproportionate damage to themselves. It warns against letting anger cloud one's judgment and taking self-destructive actions.
Burn not your house to fright away the mice.
తల్లి తర్పణానికే తక్కువైతే, పినతల్లికి పెట్టరా పిండప్రదానం అన్నట్లు.
talli tarpananike takkuvaite, pinatalliki pettara pindapradanam annatlu.
When there is not enough even for the mother's rites, he asks to perform rituals for the stepmother/aunt.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is unable to fulfill basic or essential needs, yet they are asked or attempt to fulfill secondary or less important demands. It highlights misplaced priorities or the irony of demanding extra when the fundamentals are not met.
తల్లికి పెట్టరా వసంతము
talliki pettara vasantamu
Throw scarlet water over your mother.
This expression is used to advise someone against trying to trick or outsmart the very person who taught them everything. It emphasizes that one should not use their cleverness or pranks on their elders or mentors, particularly their own mother, who knows them best.
గురువుకు పంగనామాలు పెట్టడం
guruvuku panganamalu pettadam
To put Panganâmams on your Guru. To outwit him. Panganâmam is a very large Nāmam, the sectarian mark worn on the forehead by Vaishṇavas.
This expression is used when someone cheats, deceives, or outsmarts their own mentor, teacher, or the person who helped them. It implies a betrayal of trust where the student/protege ends up causing a loss or embarrassment to their guide.
* Niemand sieht seine eigene Fehler.
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.
ఇంటికి పెద్దకొడుకు, పెద్ద అల్లుడే లెక్క
intiki peddakoduku, pedda allude lekka
In a family, only the eldest son and the eldest son-in-law are taken into account.
This expression highlights traditional social dynamics where the eldest son and the eldest son-in-law are given the highest priority, responsibility, and respect in family matters and decision-making. It is often used to emphasize their leadership role or the heavy expectations placed upon them.
ఇంటి పిల్లికి పొరుగింటి పిల్లి తోడు
inti pilliki poruginti pilli todu
The neighbour's cat is the ally of the house cat. Both join in mischief.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two people, often who should be at odds or are expected to be rivals, secretly collaborate or help each other for mutual benefit. It is frequently used to highlight how internal and external parties might conspire together, often in a negative or mischievous context.
పిలిచి పెద్దపులికి పేరంటం పెట్టినట్లు
pilichi peddapuliki perantam pettinatlu
Like inviting a tiger to a social gathering.
This proverb describes a situation where someone voluntarily invites a dangerous or troublesome person into their lives or affairs, essentially creating their own misfortune. It is used when a person's own actions or invitations lead to a predictable disaster or threat.
గురువుకు పంగనామాలు పెట్టడం
guruvuku panganamalu pettadam
Applying religious marks (deceiving) to the teacher himself.
This expression is used when a student or a subordinate tries to cheat or outsmart the very person who taught them or mentored them. It signifies an act of extreme betrayal, ingratitude, or cunning deception against a mentor.