నీవు కాదు, నీ తలలో పేను కూడా మాట వింటుంది
nivu kadu, ni talalo penu kuda mata vintundi
Not just you, even the louse in your head will listen.
This expression is used as a humorous yet stern warning or a display of authority. It implies that the speaker's command is so powerful or their threat so serious that even the smallest, most insignificant creature associated with the person will have no choice but to obey or pay attention.
Related Phrases
నల్లనివన్నీ నీళ్ళు కావు, తెల్లనివన్నీ పాలు కావు
nallanivanni nillu kavu, tellanivanni palu kavu
Not everything black is water, and not everything white is milk.
This proverb is used as a warning to not judge anything based solely on its outward appearance. Just because something looks familiar or pure (like milk) doesn't mean it is. It emphasizes that reality can be different from superficial perception, advising people to be cautious and look deeper before forming a judgment.
చేతిలో పని ఉంటే కడుపులో బువ్వ ఉంటుంది
chetilo pani unte kadupulo buvva untundi
If there is work in the hand, there will be food in the stomach
This expression emphasizes the importance of manual labor and employment. It conveys that as long as a person is hardworking and has a job, they will never have to go hungry. It is used to encourage self-reliance and the dignity of labor.
ఒళ్ళో పెడుదునా దళ్ళో పెడుదునా అన్నట్లు
ollo peduduna dallo peduduna annatlu
Like asking whether to put it in the lap or in the basket.
This expression is used to describe a person who displays excessive, hypocritical, or artificial concern and affection. It depicts a situation where someone pretends to be overly helpful or caring through indecision, often while actually being unhelpful or annoying.
ఇరుగు కాదు, పొరుగు కాదు, పెరుగు పోసిన గురిగె కాదు
irugu kadu, porugu kadu, perugu posina gurige kadu
It is not a neighbor, it is not a surrounding person, and it is not a pot filled with curd.
This is a traditional Telugu riddle or a rhythmic expression used to describe something that seems familiar or close but is actually distinct. It is often used to refer to a mirror or a reflection, where the image looks like someone you know (a neighbor) or is contained in a vessel, but isn't actually that person or object.
మాటకారి నీటుకాడు
matakari nitukadu
A clever speaker is a stylish/well-groomed man.
This expression describes a person who is exceptionally eloquent, persuasive, and possesses a charming or polished personality. It is used to compliment someone who has a 'way with words' and presents themselves with confidence and grace.
ఊరు పొమ్మంటుంది, కాడు రమ్మంటుంది
uru pommantundi, kadu rammantundi
The village says "go," the cemetery says "come."
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely old or in the final stages of their life. It metaphorically suggests that the living world (the village) is ready to see them go, while the land of the dead (the graveyard) is waiting to welcome them.
About to die. He is burnt to the socket.
ఏనుగు మదిస్తే నెత్తిన మన్ను పోసుకుంటుంది
enugu madiste nettina mannu posukuntundi
When an elephant goes into musth, it throws dust on its own head.
This proverb describes how an arrogant or intoxicated person often brings about their own downfall or ruin. Just as a rogue elephant in musth (a state of aggression) blindly tosses dirt on itself, a person blinded by pride or power will make foolish decisions that harm their own reputation and well-being.
ఆత్రగాడు బళ్ళో పెట్టేదా? దళ్ళో పెట్టేదా? అన్నట్లు.
atragadu ballo petteda? dallo petteda? annatlu.
Like the impatient person asking, 'Should I put it in the school? Or in the temple?'
This proverb is used to mock someone who is overly anxious or impatient to complete a task before it has even begun or before the right time. It refers to a person who is so excited about starting something that they lose focus on the actual process and start asking irrelevant or premature questions out of sheer haste.
మాటలో నీటుంది, మాటలో పోటుంది, మాటలో సూటి ఉంది.
matalo nitundi, matalo potundi, matalo suti undi.
In speech there is elegance, in speech there is power (a blow), and in speech there is directness.
This expression highlights the multifaceted power of words. It suggests that human speech can be used to convey sophistication (neetu), to deliver a sharp or stinging impact (potu), or to be honest and straightforward (sooti). It is often used to remind people that how we talk can charm, hurt, or clarify depending on the intent.
కుక్క గోవు కాదు, కుందేలు పులి కాదు
kukka govu kadu, kundelu puli kadu
A dog is not a cow, and a rabbit is not a tiger
This expression means that every being or object has its own inherent nature and limitations. It is used to suggest that one cannot change their fundamental character or capabilities to become something vastly different, emphasizing that appearances or minor similarities do not change one's true essence.