ఓలి ఇచ్చిన మొగుడికంటే కూలి ఇచ్చిన మొగుడెక్కువ
oli ichchina mogudikante kuli ichchina mogudekkuva
A husband who pays wages is more significant than a husband who pays the bride price.
This proverb highlights pragmatism over tradition. 'Oli' is a traditional bride price paid at marriage, while 'Kuli' refers to daily wages or immediate support. It suggests that a person who provides for one's immediate needs and livelihood is more valuable than someone who merely fulfilled a traditional or ceremonial obligation in the past.
Related Phrases
ఏడ్చేదాని మొగుడు వస్తే, నా మొగుడూ వస్తాడు
edchedani mogudu vaste, na mogudu vastadu
If the crying woman's husband returns, my husband will return too.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone waits for others to act or succeed before taking initiative themselves, or a situation where one's fate is tied to the general outcome of a group. It is often used to mock someone who lacks independent drive and simply follows the crowd's luck or progress.
ఎటు వచ్చినా ఎద్దుకి నీరే, మొగుడు వచ్చినా మొండి గోడే.
etu vachchina edduki nire, mogudu vachchina mondi gode.
Whichever way it goes, it's water for the bull; even if the husband comes, it's just the stubborn wall.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no hope for improvement or change, regardless of the circumstances. It signifies a state of stagnation or a 'no-win' situation where the outcome remains equally bleak or indifferent no matter who arrives or what happens.
ఏడిచేదాని మొగుడు వస్తే, నా మొగుడూ వస్తాడు
edichedani mogudu vaste, na mogudu vastadu
If the weeping widow's husband returns, mine will come also. Stolid indifference. Want of feeling.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's own success or progress is entirely dependent on another person's outcome. It reflects a state of helplessness or a wait-and-see approach, implying 'if it can happen for them, it will eventually happen for me too.'
కండ్లు చెరిపిన దేవుడు మతిని ఇచ్చినట్లు
kandlu cheripina devudu matini ichchinatlu
Like the God who took away eyesight but granted wisdom.
This expression is used when someone suffers a physical or material loss but gains intellectual clarity, wisdom, or a valuable life lesson in return. It highlights the concept of compensation or finding a silver lining where a disadvantage is balanced by a newly acquired mental strength or maturity.
కంచం ఇచ్చి మెట్టె పెట్టించుకున్నా కానలేడు మొగుడు
kancham ichchi mette pettinchukunna kanaledu mogudu
Even after giving a plate and having a toe ring put on, the husband cannot see it.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely unobservant, dull-witted, or indifferent. It refers to a situation where someone fails to notice something glaringly obvious or a significant gesture, even after being explicitly prompted or provided with all the necessary tools to recognize it.
రోలెక్కిన చిన్నది వోలి ఇచ్చిరమ్మన్నదట
rolekkina chinnadi voli ichchirammannadata
The girl who climbed onto the mortar asked to have her bride-price delivered.
This proverb is used to describe someone who, upon gaining a small amount of power or a slightly elevated position, immediately begins to act with excessive pride or makes premature, arrogant demands. It highlights the behavior of people who lose their humility the moment they achieve even a minor status.
అప్పటి మాటలకు దుప్పటి ఇచ్చాను గానీ, కలకాలం కప్పుకోమని ఇచ్చానా!
appati matalaku duppati ichchanu gani, kalakalam kappukomani ichchana!
I gave the blanket for those specific words spoken then, but did I give it for you to wrap yourself in it forever?
This expression is used when someone takes a temporary favor or a one-time gesture for granted and expects it to continue indefinitely. It highlights that a promise or help given under specific circumstances is not a permanent commitment or an open-ended entitlement.
ఇచ్చింది ఇచ్చి పుచ్చుకున్నట్లు
ichchindi ichchi puchchukunnatlu
Giving what was given and taking back what was taken
This expression is used to describe a situation where an exchange or transaction results in no net gain or change, essentially returning to the original state. It is often used to describe futile efforts or circular logic where one ends up exactly where they started.
పండగనాడూ పాత మొగుడేనా?
pandaganadu pata mogudena?
What! my old husband on the feast day? When everything else is new. A joke.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one expects something special or a significant change during a grand occasion, but finds that everything remains exactly as boring or routine as usual. It reflects disappointment when an expected novelty or improvement fails to materialize.
తాకట్ల మొగుడా తంటాల మొగుడా నీ తనువుండగానే నన్ను మనువిచ్చిపోరా
takatla moguda tantala moguda ni tanuvundagane nannu manuvichchipora
O husband of debts and troubles, while you are still alive, marry me off to someone else and go.
This is a sarcastic and satirical proverb used to describe a person who is so burdened by debt and incompetence that they are useless to their dependents. It expresses extreme frustration where the dependent feels it is better to be freed from the relationship or responsibility while the person is still around, rather than suffering further under their failures. It highlights a state of complete hopelessness in a partnership or leadership.