పారే చీమ చప్పుడు వినేవాడు
pare chima chappudu vinevadu
A man who hears the noise of a creeping ant. As wary as a blind horse. He is so wary that he sleeps like a hare with his eyes open.
This expression refers to someone who is exceptionally sharp, highly observant, or suspicious. It describes a person who notices even the smallest details or secrets that others would typically miss. It can be used as a compliment for someone's alertness or as a critique of someone who is overly suspicious or eavesdropping.
Related Phrases
పైన పారే పక్షి కింద పారే చీమ
paina pare pakshi kinda pare chima
Like the ant that crawls below a bird flying above. It has no chance.
This expression is used to describe an extremely high level of alertness or surveillance. It suggests that nothing, no matter how small or distant, can escape notice or pass through a particular area. It is often used when describing a place that is heavily guarded or a person who is exceptionally observant.
పుట్టినప్పుడు పురుడు.
puttinappudu purudu.
Impurity (Purudu) at birth.
This phrase refers to the traditional period of ritual impurity observed by a family after a child is born. In a broader philosophical context, it is often paired with 'Chachinappudu sutakam' (ritual impurity at death) to signify that life is bookended by ceremonies and certain constraints, or to imply that every beginning has its own set of initial challenges or obligations.
రెండు చేతులతో కొడితేనే చప్పుడవుతుంది.
rendu chetulato koditene chappudavutundi.
A sound is made only when you clap with both hands.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'It takes two to tango.' It is used to suggest that in a conflict, argument, or a specific situation involving two parties, one person alone is rarely responsible; both sides usually contribute to the outcome.
ఏరుకు తినేవాడి వెంబడి గీరుక తినేవాడు పడ్డాడట
eruku tinevadi vembadi giruka tinevadu paddadata
Behind the person who gathers and eats, followed the person who scrapes and eats.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is already poor or struggling is burdened by someone even worse off. It highlights the irony of a needy person being followed by someone seeking help from them, despite having nothing to give.
ఒక పూట తినేవాడు యోగి, రెండు పూటలు తినేవాడు భోగి, మూడు పూటలా తినేవాడు రోగి
oka puta tinevadu yogi, rendu putalu tinevadu bhogi, mudu putala tinevadu rogi
One who eats once a day is a Yogi, one who eats twice a day is a Bhogi, one who eats thrice a day is a Rogi
This traditional Telugu proverb highlights the health benefits of moderation in eating. It suggests that eating once a day leads to spiritual and physical discipline (Yogi), eating twice a day is for those enjoying a worldly life (Bhogi), while eating three or more times a day leads to sickness or a diseased state (Rogi).
ఒక చేత్తో చప్పట్లు కొట్టలేము
oka chetto chappatlu kottalemu
If you clap with one hand will there be any sound ? Nothing can be done successfully by a single person. One man is no man. ( Latin. )* Two heads are better than one. Hand washes hand, and finger finger. ( Greek. )
This expression is used to convey that cooperation or participation from both sides is necessary for a result, conflict, or agreement. It is often used to suggest that in a dispute, one person alone is rarely responsible, or that a task requires mutual effort.
తల దన్నేవాడు పోతే, తాడి తన్నేవాడు వస్తాడు
tala dannevadu pote, tadi tannevadu vastadu
If a man who kicks heads leaves, a man who kicks palm trees will arrive
This proverb is used to warn that if one problematic or clever person leaves, they might be replaced by someone even more difficult, smarter, or more dangerous. It implies that things can always get more intense or that there is always someone superior in skill or mischief.
గొర్రెను తినేవాడు పోతే, బర్రెను తినేవాడు వచ్చినట్టు.
gorrenu tinevadu pote, barrenu tinevadu vachchinattu.
When the man who ate sheep went, a man who ate buffa- los came. Parting with one rascal and getting a greater scoundrel in his place.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an existing problem or a bad person is replaced by something or someone even worse. It highlights that instead of finding relief, one has ended up with a more difficult or greedy person/situation.
మాంసం తినేవాడు పోతే, బొమికలు తినేవాడు వస్తాడు
mamsam tinevadu pote, bomikalu tinevadu vastadu
If the one who eats meat leaves, the one who eats bones will come.
This proverb is used to warn that if a bad person or a difficult situation is replaced, the successor might be even worse or more exploitative. It highlights the fear that the 'new' might be more desperate or damaging than the 'old'.
గుట్టు చప్పుడు కాకుండా
guttu chappudu kakunda
Without revealing the secret and without making a sound
This expression is used to describe doing something very stealthily, secretly, or quietly without attracting any attention. It is similar to the English phrase 'hush-hush' or 'behind closed doors'.