ఓరీ రజక చక్రవర్తి, అంటే ఇంతపెద్దపేరు మాకెందుకు దొరా మీకే ఉండనీయండి అన్నాడట.
ori rajaka chakravarti, ante intapeddaperu makenduku dora mike undaniyandi annadata.
When called 'O Emperor of Washermen', he replied 'Why do we need such a big name, Sir? Let it remain with you.'
This is a sarcastic expression or proverb used to highlight how excessive or flowery titles can often be thinly veiled insults or mockeries. It is used when someone offers a high-sounding title that actually belittles the recipient's status, or when someone rejects a fake compliment that carries a hidden sting. It reflects a humble person's wit in turning a mock-honor back onto the person giving it.
Related Phrases
నంది అంటే నంది, పంది అంటే పంది
nandi ante nandi, pandi ante pandi
If he says it's Śiva's bull, it is Śiva's bull; if he says it's a pig, it is a pig.
This expression describes extreme sycophancy, blind obedience, or a 'yes-man' attitude. It is used to characterize someone who agrees with everything a powerful person says, even if the statements are contradictory or obviously false, just to please them.
Said of the power of a great and unjust man.
అంత పెద్ద కత్తి ఉన్నది గొరగలేవా అన్నట్లు
anta pedda katti unnadi goragaleva annatlu
Like saying, 'Can't you shave even with such a large knife?'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone possesses great resources, power, or tools but is unable or unwilling to perform even a simple task. It highlights inefficiency or the inability to utilize one's strengths effectively for practical purposes.
శరణార్థిని లింగప్పా అంటే కందులు మూడు మాడలు అన్నాడట, చిన్నా పెద్దా బాగున్నారా అంటే పప్పు లక్కనలే ఉడుకుతుందన్నాడట.
sharanarthini lingappa ante kandulu mudu madalu annadata, chinna pedda bagunnara ante pappu lakkanale udukutundannadata.
When someone said 'I seek refuge, Lingappa', he replied 'Pigeon peas are three silver coins'; when asked 'Are the young and old doing well?', he replied 'The dal is cooking perfectly'.
This proverb describes a person who provides completely irrelevant or nonsensical answers to the questions asked, often due to being distracted by their own concerns (like business or prices) or simply failing to listen. It is used to mock someone who talks at cross-purposes or gives out-of-context replies.
వంటాపె అని తెచ్చుకుంటే ఇంటాపై కూర్చున్నదట
vantape ani techchukunte intapai kurchunnadata
When brought in as a cook, she sat on top of the house.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who was hired or brought in to do a humble job ends up dominating the household or overstepping their boundaries. It refers to people who take undue advantage of the position given to them and start controlling the benefactor.
ఎందుకు పుట్టినావు వక్రమా అంటే సక్రమమైన వాళ్ళను వెక్కిరించను అన్నదట.
enduku puttinavu vakrama ante sakramamaina vallanu vekkirinchanu annadata.
When asked 'Why were you born, O Crooked One?', it replied 'To mock those who are straight/upright'.
This proverb is used to describe people who possess no virtues of their own but spend their time ridiculing and finding faults in honest or capable people. It highlights how some people's sole purpose or habit is to disparage others' integrity.
ఆడమంటే పాడమన్నాడట, పాడమంటే పొమ్మన్నాడట
adamante padamannadata, padamante pommannadata
When asked to dance, he sang; when asked to sing, he left.
This expression is used to describe someone who is being uncooperative, stubborn, or intentionally doing the opposite of what is requested. It highlights a person's lack of interest or skill in following simple instructions, often choosing to be difficult or evasive instead of helpful.
కందకు లేని దురద చేమకెందుకు?
kandaku leni durada chemakenduku?
Why should the taro root itch if the elephant yam doesn't?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a third party is more concerned or agitated about a problem than the person directly involved. It highlights unnecessary interference or someone taking offense on behalf of another who is actually unbothered.
కందకు లేని దురద చేమకు ఎందుకు?
kandaku leni durada chemaku enduku?
Why should the taro root itch if the yam does not?
This proverb is used to criticize a situation where a third party is more concerned or agitated about an issue than the person directly affected by it. It highlights unnecessary meddling or over-enthusiasm by someone who has no stake in the matter.
మౌనానికి మించిన సమాధానం లేదు.
maunaniki minchina samadhanam ledu.
There is no better answer than silence.
This expression is used to convey that sometimes staying silent is the most powerful or effective way to respond to a situation, provocation, or unnecessary argument. It suggests that silence can prevent further conflict and is often more dignified than words.
చౌదంతి నెక్కగానే చక్రవర్తి అగునా?
chaudanti nekkagane chakravarti aguna?
Does one become an emperor just by mounting a four-tusked elephant?
This proverb highlights that mere possession of status symbols or external luxury does not grant one true leadership, merit, or the qualities of a ruler. It is used to mock people who think that having expensive things or a high position automatically makes them great or capable.