నోట్లో వేలు పెట్టినా కరవలేని నంగనాచి

notlo velu pettina karavaleni nanganachi

Translation

A hypocrite who acts as if they wouldn't bite even if you put a finger in their mouth.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who pretends to be extremely innocent, naive, or harmless on the outside, while actually being cunning or manipulative. It characterizes someone putting on an act of extreme docility to hide their true nature.

Related Phrases

A deceptive innocent - a hidden viper

This expression is used to describe a person who pretends to be extremely innocent, naive, or shy on the outside but is actually very cunning, manipulative, or mischievous on the inside. It is often used to call out hypocrisy or deceptive behavior.

If you poke a stick into a dog's mouth, it will snap. A man may make his own dog bite him.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's predictable or inevitable reaction is provoked by a specific action. It implies that if you irritate or provoke someone, you should not be surprised when they react aggressively or loudly. It is often used to suggest that a person is simply acting according to their nature when triggered.

You get gold out of earth and earth out of gold. i. e. you buy land with money.

This proverb highlights the unpredictable nature of luck and timing. It suggests that when one is going through a fortunate period, even a worthless effort (mud) turns into wealth (gold), but during an unfortunate period, even a valuable investment (gold) can turn into a loss (mud). It is often used to describe the irony of success and failure.

A hypocritical saint and a bent thorn.

This expression is used to describe a person who appears innocent, shy, or harmless on the outside but is actually cunning, manipulative, or sharp-tongued. It highlights hypocrisy where someone's outward behavior contradicts their true, often mischievous, character.

If you give him butter he cannot swallow it, if you give him your finger he cannot bite it.

This expression is used to describe a person who appears extremely innocent, naive, or passive to the point of being helpless or dull-witted. It often refers to someone who lacks the basic initiative or reaction expected in common situations.

As demure as if butter would not melt in his mouth, and yet cheese will not choke him.

If you put a finger in his mouth, he doesn't even know how to bite it.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely innocent, naive, or harmless. It implies that the person is so simple-minded or gentle that they wouldn't react even if provoked or presented with an obvious opportunity to act.

A hypocrite's smile leads to ruin in four directions.

This proverb is used to describe a person who appears innocent or modest (a hypocrite) but is actually cunning. It warns that relying on or being deceived by the fake sweetness of such a person will lead to trouble or loss from all sides.

The hypocrite's saree supposedly fell off in the middle of the street.

This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be extremely modest, virtuous, or innocent (a 'Nanganachi'), but whose true character or secrets are eventually exposed in a public and embarrassing way. It highlights that hypocrisy cannot be hidden forever.

Like saying, 'Put your finger in my mouth, and I will poke your eye.'

This expression describes a situation where someone invites or encourages an action only to use it as an opportunity to harm or betray the other person. It signifies a trap, treacherous behavior, or a tit-for-tat response where a seemingly harmless or cooperative gesture is met with a calculated attack.

If told to bite, the snake gets angry; if told to let go, the frog gets angry.

This proverb is used to describe a dilemma or a 'catch-22' situation where any decision made will result in displeasing one party or causing a problem. It reflects a state of being stuck between two difficult choices where you cannot satisfy everyone.