పందికొక్కు మీద బండికల్లు

This expression is used to describe someone who looks small, innocent, or harmless in appearance but possesses a surprising capacity for destruction or performs heavy, unexpected tasks. It is similar to the English proverb 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' but specifically focuses on hidden strength or deceptive capability.

This proverb is used to describe an insignificant person who grows arrogant due to a slight increase in wealth or status. It highlights the absurdity of a tiny thing (cumin seed) imagining itself to be something massive and sturdy (a heavy wooden beam or log).

This expression is used to describe a situation where an untrustworthy or greedy person is placed in a position of authority over valuable resources. Just as a bandicoot would uncontrollably devour the grain it is supposed to be 'stored' with, a corrupt person will exploit the wealth or responsibility they are given for personal gain.

This proverb is used to describe people whose inherent nature or bad habits cannot be changed even in favorable or restricted conditions. Just as a bandicoot will naturally dig through and destroy a grain storage pit (pathara) despite being surrounded by food, a person with a crooked nature will continue to do mischief or cause trouble regardless of where they are placed.

This proverb is used to describe someone who appears small, innocent, or harmless but is actually capable of causing significant mischief or performing surprisingly large tasks. It is similar to the English expression 'looks can be deceiving' or 'small but mighty' (often in a negative context).

This expression is used to describe a process that is extremely smooth, easy, and without any obstacles. Just as a cart glides effortlessly over the soft, succulent Nalleru plant, it signifies that a task is being completed very easily.

This expression is used to describe someone who has found themselves in a situation of extreme abundance and is greedily exploiting it. Just as a bandicoot that enters a storage bin full of grain eats to its heart's content without any effort, it refers to a person enjoying wealth or resources that they didn't necessarily earn, often becoming lazy or over-indulgent.

This expression describes a person who lives in luxury or abundance without having to work for it. Just as a bandicoot lives under a grain store (gaade) and eats the fallen grain effortlessly, it refers to someone who secretly or comfortably exploits a resource for their own benefit.

This expression describes a mischief-maker or a master manipulator who creates conflicts between people even when there is no reason for it. Since 'roasted bandicoots' are dead and cannot move, the phrase hyper-bolically refers to someone who is so devious that they can stir up trouble or create a rift even among inanimate objects or people who have no intention of fighting.

This expression is used to describe a process that is extremely smooth, effortless, and free of any obstacles. Since the Nalleru plant is succulent and slippery, a cart's wheels glide over it very easily.