ఒడుపు చేత కడుపు చేసుకొనట్లు.
odupu cheta kadupu chesukonatlu.
Like filling one's stomach through skillful tactics.
This expression refers to someone who is resourceful and makes a living or gains benefits through their cleverness, skill, or tactful maneuvering rather than just hard labor. It describes the art of managing situations to one's advantage.
Related Phrases
కండ్లు పెద్దవి, కడుపు చిన్నది.
kandlu peddavi, kadupu chinnadi.
Eyes are big, stomach is small.
This expression refers to a person whose eyes are bigger than their stomach. It describes a situation where someone takes or orders a lot of food because it looks appealing, but they cannot actually finish it all because they get full quickly. It is used to caution against greed or wastefulness.
తల్లి కడుపు చూచును, పెళ్ళాం వీపు చూచును.
talli kadupu chuchunu, pellam vipu chuchunu.
A mother looks at the stomach; a wife looks at the back.
This proverb contrasts the nature of love and expectations. A mother's concern is primarily for her child's well-being and whether they have eaten (the stomach), reflecting selfless care. In contrast, a wife is traditionally depicted as looking at the 'back' to see what her husband has brought home (burdens or earnings), symbolizing the practical expectations and responsibilities within a marriage.
తల్లి కడుపు చూచును, పెళ్లాము వీపు చూచును
talli kadupu chuchunu, pellamu vipu chuchunu
The mother will look at his belly the wife at his back. The mother will look to see how her son fares, the wife to see what her husband has brought home for her. Come but come stooping.
This proverb contrasts the different perspectives of love and dependency. A mother's love is selfless, worrying if her child has eaten enough (stomach), whereas a wife's perspective (historically in this context) might be focused on the provisions or earnings the husband brings home (the load on the back). It highlights the transition from being cared for to having responsibilities.
* 'Ακέφαλος μυθος. † II domandar costa poco.
ఆలికి అదుపు ఇంటికి పొదుపు
aliki adupu intiki podupu
Discipline for the wife and frugality for the home.
This traditional proverb suggests that a well-managed household depends on two main pillars: a disciplined or well-behaved spouse who maintains order, and the practice of saving money or being thrifty. It is used to emphasize the importance of self-control and financial management in achieving domestic harmony and prosperity.
కడుపు చేసినవాడే కాయము, పిప్పళ్ళు తెస్తాడు
kadupu chesinavade kayamu, pippallu testadu
The one who caused the pregnancy is the one who will bring the medicinal herbs and spices.
This proverb is used to say that the person responsible for a situation or a problem is the one who must also take responsibility for its consequences and provide the necessary support or solution. It emphasizes accountability.
చేయిచేసుకోనా, చేతులు దులుపుకోనా?
cheyichesukona, chetulu dulupukona?
Should I use my hand (strike you), or should I wash my hands of you?
This expression is used when someone is extremely frustrated or angry with another person's behavior. It presents a dilemma: whether to physically retaliate/punish them ('చేయిచేసుకోవడం') or to simply give up on them and cut ties completely ('చేతులు దులుపుకోవడం'). It signifies a breaking point in a relationship or a situation where the other person's actions are no longer tolerable.
చేసుకున్న కడుపు దించుకోక తప్పదు
chesukunna kadupu dinchukoka tappadu
One must bear the delivery of the pregnancy they caused themselves.
This proverb is used to convey that an individual must face and take responsibility for the consequences of their own actions, especially mistakes or wrongdoings. It emphasizes that there is no escape from the repercussions of one's own choices.
ప్రదక్షిణాలు చేస్తే బిడ్డలు పుడతారంటే, చుట్టు చుట్టుకు కడుపు చూచుకొన్నదట
pradakshinalu cheste biddalu pudatarante, chuttu chuttuku kadupu chuchukonnadata
When told that circumambulations result in children, she checked her belly after every single round
This proverb mocks extreme impatience or the expectation of immediate results for a long-term process. It describes a person who expects an instant reward the moment they start a task, failing to understand that certain goals require time, patience, and consistent effort.
ముద్దున పేరు చెడె, మురిపాన నడుపు చెడె
mudduna peru chede, muripana nadupu chede
The name is spoilt by affection, the gait is spoilt by strutting. A child's proper name is corrupted into a familiar name as Sînayya for Srinivâsayya, Kakkâi for Kanakamma, &c.
This proverb warns against the dangers of over-indulgence and lack of discipline. It suggests that when a child or a person is overly coddled (muddu), they may lose their reputation, and when they are too pampered (muripamu), their behavior and character (nadupu) will deteriorate. It is used to emphasize the importance of moderation in affection and the need for discipline in upbringing.
చేసుకొన్న వారికి చేసుకొన్నంత మహాదేవ
chesukonna variki chesukonnanta mahadeva
O Mahâdêva! what a man does, that does he in full receive.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It implies that individuals are solely responsible for the consequences of their actions, whether good or bad. It is often used to suggest that one's current situation is a direct result of their past efforts or deeds.