పాపదోషానికి పోతే, పట్టి చూచినట్లు
papadoshaniki pote, patti chuchinatlu
Going to seek relief from a sin, only to be caught and inspected.
This proverb is used when someone attempts to find a solution or a remedy for a problem, but instead ends up in a worse situation or gets caught in a trap. It describes a scenario where seeking help or a way out results in more trouble or exposure than before.
Related Phrases
బాడిగ గుర్రానికి సుడులు పట్టి చూసినట్లు
badiga gurraniki sudulu patti chusinatlu
Like checking the whorls (auspicious marks) of a rented horse.
This expression is used to describe someone who is overly critical or fastidious about something that is temporary, borrowed, or not theirs to keep. Just as it is pointless to check for permanent luck-bringing marks on a horse you are only renting for a short journey, it is unnecessary to find minor flaws in things of transient value or temporary use.
రోషానికి పోయి రోలు మెడకు కట్టుకున్నట్లు
roshaniki poyi rolu medaku kattukunnatlu
Going for pride and tying a mortar stone around one's neck
This expression describes a situation where someone, driven by ego or a false sense of pride, takes on a burden or makes a decision that ultimately causes them great hardship or self-destruction. It is used when someone's stubbornness or anger leads to a self-inflicted problem.
అండలేని ఊళ్లో ఉండదోషం, ఆశలేని పుట్టింట అడగదోషం.
andaleni ullo undadosham, ashaleni puttinta adagadosham.
It is wrong to live in a village that has no protection; it is wrong [ for a woman ] to ask [ for any thing ] in the house where she was born if there is no love [ for her ].
This proverb emphasizes self-respect and practicality. It suggests that one should not reside in a place where there is no protection or community support. Similarly, it warns against asking for help or favors from relatives (specifically one's natal home) who no longer show love or willingness to give, as it only leads to humiliation.
పుణ్యానికి పోతే పాపం ఎదురొచ్చినట్లు
punyaniki pote papam edurochchinatlu
When he went to do good, evil met him.
This expression is used when a person tries to do a good deed or help someone, but instead of receiving gratitude or a good result, they end up facing trouble, blame, or negative consequences. It is similar to the English saying 'No good deed goes unpunished'.
మొగమాటానికి పోతే, ముండకు కడుపైనట్లు.
mogamataniki pote, mundaku kadupainatlu.
If one goes by hesitation or politeness, a widow might end up pregnant.
This proverb is used to warn against the dangers of being overly hesitant, polite, or unable to say 'no' (Mogamatam). It suggests that excessive politeness in situations where one should be firm can lead to disastrous, irreversible, and shameful consequences. It is used to advise someone to be assertive when necessary to protect their own interests.
మొగుడిని చూస్తే దండుగ, మిండని చూస్తే పండుగ
mogudini chuste danduga, mindani chuste panduga
Seeing the husband is a waste, seeing the lover is a festival.
This is a bold, satirical proverb used to describe a person who neglects their duties or legitimate relationships (like a husband) in favor of forbidden or exciting external attractions (like a lover). It is used to mock people who find no value in the things they already possess but are overjoyed by things that are fleeting or improper.
అత్తిపత్తి
attipatti
Touch-me-not plant
Literally referring to the Mimosa pudica plant, this expression is used to describe a person who is extremely sensitive, shy, or gets easily offended or hurt by even the slightest comment or touch.
అత్తి పూచినట్టు
atti puchinattu
Like the fig blossoming.
This expression is used to describe something that happens very rarely or an event that is almost never seen. Since the flowers of a fig tree are contained within the fruit and are not visible to the naked eye, it implies an occurrence that is a rare sight or a unique phenomenon.
This tree ( Ficus Glomerata ) bears no apparent blossoms. That is as likely as to see a hog fly.
ఆడది చూసిన చేపల గుంటకు, మగవాడు చూసిన కందుల కళ్ళానికి వెళ్ళకూడదు.
adadi chusina chepala guntaku, magavadu chusina kandula kallaniki vellakudadu.
Do not go to a fish pond noticed by a woman, nor to a pigeon pea threshing floor noticed by a man.
This traditional proverb suggests that certain tasks or resources are best managed by those who have a keen eye for them. A woman is believed to be very efficient at spotting and gathering small resources like fish from a pond, leaving nothing behind. Similarly, a man is believed to be thorough in harvesting or guarding a threshing floor. It is used to describe situations where a resource has been so thoroughly picked over or managed by an expert that nothing remains for others.
అండలేని ఊళ్ళో ఉండదోషం, ఆశలేని పుట్టింట అడగదోషం.
andaleni ullo undadosham, ashaleni puttinta adagadosham.
Living in a village without support is a fault; asking for something in a parent's house where there is no affection is a fault.
This proverb highlights the importance of social support and emotional bonds. It suggests that it is unwise to reside in a place where no one protects or supports you, just as it is futile and dignity-diminishing to expect help or ask for favors from one's maternal home when the family members there no longer have love or the intent to give.