నాలుగు ఈతల పీత పాతాళగంగ అయింది
nalugu itala pita patalaganga ayindi
A crab that spawned four times became the celestial Ganges of the underworld.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a small or simple matter has been exaggerated or complicated beyond recognition over time. It refers to how a story or a person's status can grow into something immense and unrecognizable (like the deep, vast Patalaganga) from a very humble or minor beginning.
Related Phrases
లంజ పితృదేవతలకు పెట్టి ఆకాశం చూసినట్టు
lanja pitridevatalaku petti akasham chusinattu
A harlot made an offering to the manes of her ancestors and looked towards heaven.
This expression is used to describe hypocritical behavior or someone performing a pious act while their character or intentions are completely contradictory to the sanctity of the ritual. It highlights the irony of someone who lacks virtue expecting divine or traditional rewards through superficial actions.
ఇరుగు ఇంగలం పొరుగు మంగలం
irugu ingalam porugu mangalam
The neighbors are fire and the surroundings are soot (or bad omens).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is surrounded by difficult or troublesome neighbors on all sides. It implies that no matter which way you turn, there is conflict or negativity, making it impossible to live in peace.
నాలుగు ఈతలు ఈనేసరికి నక్కనాంచారి అయింది
nalugu italu inesariki nakkananchari ayindi
By the time she gave birth four times, she became a Nakkananchari.
This proverb is used to describe someone who has become extremely cunning, crafty, or street-smart through experience. Just as an animal might become more wary after several births, a person becomes very worldly-wise and perhaps a bit manipulative or overly cautious after going through several life experiences or cycles of work.
వడికిందంతా పత్తి అయినట్లు
vadikindanta patti ayinatlu
As if everything spun became cotton again.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of hard work or effort results in zero progress, or when things return to their original raw state despite the labor put in. It signifies wasted effort or a futile exercise where the end product is no better than the starting material.
చిత్త కార్తె ఎండకు పిట్టల తల పగులును
chitta karte endaku pittala tala pagulunu
In the Chitta solar mansion heat, even the heads of birds will shatter.
This is a popular Telugu saying referring to the Chitta Karthe (a specific period in the traditional solar calendar). It describes the extreme intensity of the heat during this period, suggesting it is so fierce that it can crack a bird's skull. It is used to caution people about severe weather conditions.
ఆరు ఈతల నక్కకు మూడు ఈతల నక్క ముక్క నేర్పిందట
aru itala nakkaku mudu itala nakka mukka nerpindata
The fox that gave birth three times tried to teach a lesson to the fox that gave birth six times.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a less experienced person tries to give advice or teach someone who is far more experienced and seasoned than themselves. It highlights the irony of a novice patronizing a veteran.
కాలు వంగినగాని, గంగానమ్మయినా పట్టదు.
kalu vanginagani, ganganammayina pattadu.
Even if the leg bends, even Goddess Gangamma wouldn't hold it.
This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. It suggests that even in a situation where they are forced to bow or humble themselves (like bending a leg), they are so tight-fisted that even a deity associated with cleansing and mercy wouldn't be able to get anything out of them, or they wouldn't offer anything even in extreme circumstances.
తలగడ కింద పాము
talagada kinda pamu
A snake under the pillow.
This expression refers to a hidden or imminent danger that is very close to a person, often without them realizing it. It is used to describe a precarious situation where a threat exists in one's immediate or most trusted environment.
తిలా పాపం తలా పిడికెడు
tila papam tala pidikedu
A sesame seed of sin for each, a handful for everyone.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a group of people collectively share the responsibility or blame for a wrongdoing. It implies that even if an individual's contribution to a bad deed is small (like a sesame seed), when everyone participates, the collective sin becomes large, and everyone must bear their portion of the consequence.
పీతాంబరము ఎరువిచ్చినమ్మ పీట వెంబడి పట్టుకొని తిరగవలసినది.
pitambaramu eruvichchinamma pita vembadi pattukoni tiragavalasinadi.
The woman who lent her silk garment had to follow the seat everywhere.
This proverb describes a situation where someone provides a valuable resource or favor to another, but then becomes so anxious or overbearing about its care that they end up constantly hovering over the recipient. It is used to illustrate how excessive strings attached to a favor can make the help more burdensome than beneficial for both parties.