పగలు ఉపస్థ వెడల్పు, రాత్రి నీళ్ళు వెడల్పు
pagalu upastha vedalpu, ratri nillu vedalpu
During the day the pelvis is wide, at night the water is wide.
This proverb is used to describe a person who makes grand, impossible promises or boasts of great strength and capability during the daytime, but when the time for action or difficulty arises (symbolized by night), they come up with excuses or find the task overwhelmingly difficult. It highlights the gap between empty talk and actual execution.
Related Phrases
రాత్రి చీకటి పోతే, పగలు వెలుగు వస్తుంది.
ratri chikati pote, pagalu velugu vastundi.
If the night's darkness goes, the day's light comes.
This is an optimistic proverb used to encourage people during difficult times. It signifies that hardships (darkness) are temporary and will eventually be followed by better, successful days (light). It is similar to the English expression 'Every cloud has a silver lining' or 'This too shall pass.'
పగలు చస్తే వాటికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపము లేదు
pagalu chaste vatiki ledu, ratri chaste dipamu ledu
If one dies during the day, there is nothing for the mouth; if one dies at night, there is no lamp.
This proverb describes a state of extreme, wretched poverty where a family lacks even the most basic resources to perform funeral rites. It is used to highlight situations of utter destitution where someone has nothing to fall back on, regardless of the timing or circumstances of their hardship.
దెయ్యాలు వేదాలు వల్లించినట్లు.
deyyalu vedalu vallinchinatlu.
Devils reciting (quoting) the Vedas.
Similar to ‘the devil citing the scripture’, which suggests that an evildoer may try to justify his evil actions, by cleverly citing the sacred books. It is defending the indefensible.
పగలు చస్తే వత్తికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపానికి లేదు.
pagalu chaste vattiki ledu, ratri chaste dipaniki ledu.
If he dies in the day, there is no rice to put in his mouth; if he dies in the night, there is no oil for a lamp. Rice is put into the mouth of the dead at the funeral ceremony. Said of a miserably poor person.
This proverb is used to describe an extreme state of poverty or a situation of absolute misfortune where one lacks even the most basic resources for necessary rituals. It highlights a state of utter helplessness where no matter when or how a problem arises, the means to address it are completely absent.
పగలు చూస్తే రాత్రి కలలో వస్తుంది అన్నట్లు
pagalu chuste ratri kalalo vastundi annatlu
As if what you see during the day appears in your dreams at night
This expression refers to things that leave such a strong impression on the mind that they continue to haunt or reappear in thoughts. It is used to describe someone who is obsessed with a particular thought or a traumatic/intense event that they cannot stop thinking about even when asleep.
పగలు తల్లి, రాత్రి భార్య
pagalu talli, ratri bharya
He calls her a mother in the day time and a wife at night. An unprincipled rascal.
This expression is used to describe an extremely fickle, opportunistic, or shameless person who changes their stance or behavior toward someone based on their needs or the time of day. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of moral consistency in relationships or situations.
నిప్పు రగిలించి నీళ్ళకు వెతికినట్లు
nippu ragilinchi nillaku vetikinatlu
Like starting a fire and then searching for water
This proverb describes someone who creates a problem or conflict through their own actions and then acts as if they are trying to solve it or mitigate the consequences. It is used to point out the hypocrisy or lack of foresight in a person who causes trouble and then seeks a remedy for the very situation they intentionally started.
పగలు చత్వారి, రాత్రి రేజీకటి
pagalu chatvari, ratri rejikati
Daytime presbyopia, nighttime night blindness.
This expression describes a person who is completely helpless or makes excuses in every situation. Just as someone who cannot see during the day due to long-sightedness and cannot see at night due to night blindness, it refers to a state of total inability or constant complaining regardless of the circumstances.
పగలు దాని గుణం చూచి, రాత్రి దాని వెంట వెళ్ళాలి
pagalu dani gunam chuchi, ratri dani venta vellali
Observe its nature during the day, and follow it at night.
This proverb advises that one should thoroughly understand the character, behavior, or risks associated with a person or a situation in clear light (safety) before committing to or trusting them in difficult or uncertain times (darkness). It emphasizes the importance of due diligence and caution before taking a leap of faith.
నీటిలో జాడలు వెదకినట్లు
nitilo jadalu vedakinatlu
Like searching for footprints in water
This expression is used to describe a futile or impossible task. Just as it is impossible to find footprints or traces of a path in water, it refers to searching for something that leaves no evidence behind or attempting a hopeless endeavor.