నీ మాలకత్తెనిష్టతో మడిగుడ్డ ఆరవేయబోతే, మడత వీడి మాదిగ వాడి కుక్కమీద పడిందట.
ni malakattenishtato madigudda araveyabote, madata vidi madiga vadi kukkamida padindata.
When trying to dry a ritual cloth with a pretend sense of purity, it unfolded and fell on an untouchable's dog.
This proverb is used to mock hypocritical or excessive shows of piety or discipline. It describes a situation where someone performs a task with an air of superior virtue or strictness, only for their efforts to fail spectacularly in an ironic or 'polluting' way. It highlights that fake perfectionism often leads to clumsy or embarrassing results.
Related Phrases
టెంకాయ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టగానే దొంగకడ్డమా?
tenkaya chettuku madigudda kattagane dongakaddama?
Will wrapping a ritual cloth around a coconut tree stop a thief?
This proverb highlights that mere formalities, rituals, or superficial measures cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from causing harm. It is used to point out that a person's character or a serious security threat won't be changed by symbolic gestures.
మాదిగవాడి ఆలు అయినా మాడే కాలికి చెప్పు లేదు
madigavadi alu ayina made kaliki cheppu ledu
Though a shoemaker's wife, she has no shoes for her burn- ing feet. A shoemaker's wife and a smith's mare are always the worst shod.
This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks the very thing their family or profession specializes in providing. It is used to highlight irony or scarcity in the midst of abundance, similar to the English expression 'The shoemaker's children go barefoot'.
మడ్డి ముండకు మల్లెపూలు ఇస్తే, మడిచి ముడ్డి కింద పెట్టుకుందట.
maddi mundaku mallepulu iste, madichi muddi kinda pettukundata.
When Jasmine flowers were given to a boorish woman, she folded them up and sat on them. Instead of putting the garland round her neck.—Malle ( prop. Jasminum Sambac ) is a general name given to all common jasmines ( W. Elliot. )
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person of low taste or lack of refinement is given something beautiful or valuable, but they fail to appreciate its worth and instead misuse it or treat it with disrespect. It highlights that certain things are wasted on those who do not understand their value.
పాతరలో పడ్డ కుక్కను తీయబోతే కరవ వచ్చినట్లు
pataralo padda kukkanu tiyabote karava vachchinatlu
Like a dog that falls into a pit and tries to bite the person attempting to rescue it.
This proverb describes a situation where a person in deep trouble reacts with hostility or ingratitude toward someone trying to help them. It is used to characterize ungrateful behavior or when a person's defensive instincts are misplaced against their well-wishers.
చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టి ఉన్నదిలే, దొంగ చెట్టెక్కడు అన్నదట సోమిదేవమ్మ
chettuku madigudda katti unnadile, donga chettekkadu annadata somidevamma
The tree is wrapped in a sacred ritual cloth, so a thief won't climb it, said Somidevamma.
This proverb mocks people who have naive or blind faith in superficial rituals or symbols to prevent bad things from happening. It describes a situation where someone believes that a simple religious gesture (like tying a 'madigudda' or ritual cloth) will magically stop a criminal, ignoring the practical reality that a thief does not care about such things. It is used to highlight foolishness or misplaced confidence in symbolic protection.
టెంకాయ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టగానే అది దొంగకు అడ్డమా?
tenkaya chettuku madigudda kattagane adi dongaku addama?
Will a holy cloth tied to a coconut tree stop a thief?
This proverb is used to say that external appearances of piety or ritualistic symbols cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from doing harm. It highlights the futility of using religious or symbolic gestures to solve practical security problems or to change someone's inherent nature.
మద్యపానం చేస్తాను గానీ మడిగుడ్డ కావాలన్నాడట
madyapanam chestanu gani madigudda kavalannadata
He drinks alcohol but asks for a ritualistically pure cloth.
This expression is used to describe hypocritical behavior where a person engages in a major vice or immoral act while being overly concerned about minor rules, rituals, or outward appearances of sanctity. It highlights the irony of someone lacking core character but demanding superficial respect or purity.
దానిమ్మ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కాపలా!
danimma chettuku madigudda kapala!
Guarding a pomegranate tree with a ritualistically pure cloth!
This proverb is used to describe an unnecessary or excessive level of protection or caution for something that doesn't require it. It highlights the absurdity of applying strict, holy, or delicate standards (like 'Madigudda') to mundane situations where they are ineffective or irrelevant.
పైన పడ్డ మాట, మడిని పడ్డ నీరు
paina padda mata, madini padda niru
A word spoken over someone is like water falling into a field.
This proverb emphasizes that once a word is spoken or a promise is made publicly, it becomes a responsibility or an obligation that cannot be taken back, much like how water diverted into a farm plot stays there to nourish the crop.
పగవాణ్ణి పంచాంగ మడిగితే, మధ్యాహ్నానికి మరణమన్నాడట.
pagavanni panchanga madigite, madhyahnaniki maranamannadata.
When an enemy was asked to read the almanac (horoscope), he said death would occur by noon.
This proverb highlights that you should never expect an unbiased or favorable opinion from an enemy. Just as an enemy would predict the worst possible outcome when consulted, one should be cautious of the advice or motives of those who harbor ill will against them.