పడుకోవడం పాతగోడలలో, కలవరింతలు మిద్దెటిండ్లలో
padukovadam patagodalalo, kalavarintalu middetindlalo
Sleeping within old walls, but dreaming of terraced houses.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lives in poverty or humble circumstances but has grand, unrealistic ambitions or talks as if they live in luxury. It highlights the irony between one's actual situation and their high-flown words or dreams.
Related Phrases
ఆపదలో ఆదుకోవాలి, ఆస్తిలో పంచుకోవాలి.
apadalo adukovali, astilo panchukovali.
Help in times of danger, share in times of wealth.
This proverb emphasizes the reciprocal nature of relationships and fairness. It means that if you want a share in someone's prosperity or inheritance (property), you must also be willing to stand by them and provide support when they are in trouble or facing a crisis.
తగిలించుకోవడం సులభం, వదిలించుకోవడం కష్టం.
tagilinchukovadam sulabham, vadilinchukovadam kashtam.
It is easy to get attached, but hard to get rid of.
This expression is used to describe habits, relationships, or problems that are easy to start or acquire, but extremely difficult to escape or resolve. It is often used as a warning against picking up bad habits or entering into complicated commitments.
సాక్షికాళ్లు పట్టుకోవడముకన్నా వాదికాళ్లు పట్టుకోవచ్చును
sakshikallu pattukovadamukanna vadikallu pattukovachchunu
Better fall at the feet of the prosecutor than at the feet of the witnesses.
This proverb suggests that instead of trying to influence or persuade intermediaries or witnesses, it is more effective and straightforward to deal directly with the primary person involved in a dispute. It emphasizes that reaching an agreement with the opponent is easier than managing those who are merely testifying.
గొల్లవారింటి పెండ్లి తెల్లవారింది
gollavarinti pendli tellavarindi
The morning dawns before the shepherds' marriage is begun. They have so many disputes that nothing can be settled.
This proverb is used to describe an event or task that took an excessively long time to complete, or a situation where people were kept waiting or busy until daybreak. It often implies a sense of exhaustion or the completion of a long, drawn-out process.
కాలితో కదుపుకోవడం, చేతితో జువ్వుకోవడం
kalito kadupukovadam, chetito juvvukovadam
Moving it with the foot and picking it up with the hand
This expression refers to a situation where someone intentionally creates a mess or a problem (symbolized by kicking something with the foot) and then later has to go through the trouble of fixing or cleaning it up manually. It is used to describe self-inflicted troubles or a lack of foresight.
పాతముండ కలవరిస్తే కొత్తముండకు దయ్యం పట్టినట్లు
patamunda kalavariste kottamundaku dayyam pattinatlu
When the old widow babbles in her sleep, it is as if the new widow is possessed by a ghost.
This proverb describes a situation where an experienced person says something casually or out of habit, but an inexperienced or fearful person takes it too seriously and reacts with unnecessary panic. It highlights how fear and lack of experience can lead one to misinterpret a trivial situation as a major crisis.
పడుకోవడము పాడుగోడల్లో, కలవరింతలు మిద్దెటిండ్లల్లో
padukovadamu padugodallo, kalavarintalu middetindlallo
Sleeping within ruined walls, but talking in his sleep of upper storied houses.
This proverb describes a person who lives in miserable or poor conditions but boasts or dreams of grand, unattainable things. It is used to mock someone who talks beyond their actual status or means, highlighting the gap between their reality and their pretensions.
* Montes veen, paredes oyen.
అత్తను చూసి దాచుకోవడం, పిల్లను చూసి పారేసుకోవడం
attanu chusi dachukovadam, pillanu chusi paresukovadam
Hiding upon seeing the mother-in-law, throwing away upon seeing the child.
This expression refers to a person who is hypocritical or selective in their behavior based on self-interest. It describes someone who acts disciplined or stingy in front of authority figures (like a mother-in-law) to make a good impression, but becomes careless or overly generous when dealing with those who have no power over them (like a child).
పాముకు విషం పండ్లలో జ్ఞాతికి విషం కండ్లలో
pamuku visham pandlalo jnyatiki visham kandlalo
A snake's poison is in its teeth, while a relative's poison is in their eyes.
This proverb highlights the bitterness or jealousy that can exist between close relatives (gnathulu). It suggests that while a snake carries its venom in its fangs to strike, an envious relative's malice is visible in their gaze or perspective. It is used to caution people about the deep-seated rivalry or 'evil eye' often found within extended families.
కలిగినవారింటి కడగొట్టుకోడలు అయ్యేటంతకన్నా పేదవారింటి పెద్దకోడలు అయితే మేలు.
kaliginavarinti kadagottukodalu ayyetantakanna pedavarinti peddakodalu ayite melu.
Better be the eldest daughter-in-law in a poor man's house, than the youngest daughter-in-law in a rich man's house. The eldest son's wife has authority in a household next to a mother-in- law and in the case of the latter's death she becomes mistress of the estab- lishment. The youngest son's daughter, though generally petted, is allowed no voice in the management of the household affairs.
This proverb highlights the importance of status, responsibility, and respect over mere material wealth. In traditional households, the eldest daughter-in-law (Pedda Kodalu) holds significant authority and decision-making power, even if the family is poor. Conversely, the youngest (Kadagottu Kodalu) in a rich family may have luxuries but often lacks a voice or status in family matters. It is used to suggest that it is better to lead in humble circumstances than to be a subordinate in affluent ones.