పట్టినవాడు తాబేలు అంటే, గట్టున ఉన్నవాడు కుందేలు అన్నట్లు
pattinavadu tabelu ante, gattuna unnavadu kundelu annatlu
When the one who caught it says it's a turtle, the one on the shore says it's a rabbit.
This proverb describes a situation where people stubbornly argue over their own perceptions or biases, even when the facts are clear. It is used to mock people who contradict someone with firsthand experience or those who insist on their own version of the truth despite evidence to the contrary.
Related Phrases
వ్యాధి వచ్చినవాడు వెట్టి పట్టినవాడు ఒకటి.
vyadhi vachchinavadu vetti pattinavadu okati.
One who is diseased and one who is forced into labor are the same.
This proverb highlights that a person suffering from a disease and a person forced into unpaid manual labor (vetti) share a similar plight—both lose their freedom of will and are under a constant state of suffering or compulsion. It is used to describe situations where a person has no choice but to endure hardship.
కొన్నవాడే తిన్నవాడు.
konnavade tinnavadu.
He that ate is he that bought. If you want any thing, you must pay for it. Nothing is had for nothing. (French.)
This expression emphasizes that the person who pays for something or takes the risk of purchasing it is the one who truly enjoys the benefits or consequences of it. In a broader sense, it suggests that ownership or direct investment leads to the right of consumption or usage.
అన్నం తిన్నవాడు, తన్నులు తిన్నవాడు మర్చిపోడు
annam tinnavadu, tannulu tinnavadu marchipodu
The one who ate food and the one who received kicks will never forget.
This proverb highlights that some experiences leave an indelible mark on a person's memory. It specifically refers to acts of extreme kindness (giving food to the hungry) and acts of extreme humiliation or physical pain (getting beaten). Both the person who was helped in their time of need and the person who was wronged/punished will remember those moments forever.
పట్టినవాడు మట్టగుడిసె అంటే, ఒడ్డున ఉన్నవాడు జెల్లపిల్ల అన్నట్లు
pattinavadu mattagudise ante, odduna unnavadu jellapilla annatlu
When the one who caught it says it's a loach, the one on the bank says it's a catfish.
This expression describes a situation where a person who has no firsthand experience or involvement in a task tries to correct or contradict the person who is actually doing the work. It is used to mock people who offer unsolicited and inaccurate advice from a safe distance without understanding the ground reality.
ఉన్నవాడు ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టే, లేనివాడూ ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టే
unnavadu unnavadike pette, lenivadu unnavadike pette
The rich give to the rich, and even the poor give to the rich.
This proverb highlights a social irony where resources and gifts often flow toward those who already have plenty, rather than those in need. It is used to describe situations where people prioritize pleasing influential or wealthy individuals while ignoring the underprivileged.
కుందేలు కాలు నాకుకున్నట్లు
kundelu kalu nakukunnatlu
Like a rabbit licking its own leg
This expression is used to describe a person who is overly self-satisfied or takes immense pride in their own small achievements, often ignoring the bigger picture or failing to realize that their actions are self-serving and of little consequence to others.
మిద్దె ఉన్నవాడు బ్రతికి, గుడిసె ఉన్నవాడు చావడు
midde unnavadu bratiki, gudise unnavadu chavadu
Neither the one with a mansion survives forever, nor the one in a hut dies instantly.
This proverb emphasizes the equality of life and death, suggesting that wealth (a mansion) doesn't guarantee immortality, and poverty (a hut) doesn't mean immediate demise. It is used to remind people that fate and time are the ultimate deciders, regardless of one's social or economic status.
నత్తనడక తాబేలు పరుగు
nattanadaka tabelu parugu
A snail's walk and a tortoise's run
This expression is used to describe something that is moving at an extremely slow pace. It compares a slow process to the movement of a snail or the sluggish run of a tortoise, often used to criticize inefficiency or delays in work or traffic.
ఉన్నవాడు ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టును, లేనివాడూ ఉన్నవాడికే పెట్టును.
unnavadu unnavadike pettunu, lenivadu unnavadike pettunu.
The one who has gives to the one who has; even the one who does not have gives to the one who has.
This proverb highlights a social irony where wealth continues to flow toward the wealthy. It describes a situation where both the rich and the poor tend to favor, gift, or serve those who are already influential and affluent, while those in actual need are often ignored.
పట్టినవాడు పక్కి అంటే, గట్టునున్నవాడు జెల్ల అన్నట్లు
pattinavadu pakki ante, gattununnavadu jella annatlu
When the one who caught the fish says it's a 'Pakki', the one on the bank says it's a 'Jella'.
This expression describes a situation where someone who is not involved in a task (an onlooker) tries to correct or contradict the person who is actually doing the work and has firsthand knowledge. It highlights the arrogance or ignorance of backseat drivers who offer unsolicited and incorrect opinions without being in the thick of the action.