పట్టిపట్టి పంగనామం పెడితే, గోడచాటుకెళ్ళి గోకేసుకున్నాడట
pattipatti panganamam pedite, godachatukelli gokesukunnadata
When a religious mark was applied with great care, he went behind a wall and scratched it off.
This expression describes a situation where someone puts a lot of effort into helping, teaching, or reforming someone else, only for that person to immediately undo it or disregard the advice the moment they are alone. It is used to highlight the futility of trying to help someone who is not interested in changing or lacks appreciation.
Related Phrases
నామం పెడితే కామం తగ్గుతుందా?
namam pedite kamam taggutunda?
Will lust decrease if one wears a religious mark (Naamam)?
This proverb highlights that outward displays of piety or religious symbols do not necessarily change one's internal character or base desires. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the futility of using external rituals to mask internal flaws.
వన్నెకు సున్నం పెడితే, వమ్మకు ఉండయిందట.
vanneku sunnam pedite, vammaku undayindata.
When lime was applied to improve the color, it resulted in a lump for the mother.
This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to improve something or make it beautiful actually ruins it or makes it worse. It is used when a well-intentioned action results in a complete mess or a loss of original value.
ఆడేది అడ్డనామాలు పెడితే, పాడేది పంగనామాలు పెట్టినట్టు.
adedi addanamalu pedite, padedi panganamalu pettinattu.
If the dancer puts on horizontal marks, the singer puts on vertical marks.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people are competing in their eccentricities, mistakes, or exaggerations. It implies that if one person goes to one extreme, the other goes even further to outdo them, usually in a negative or ridiculous way.
ఏది పట్టినా దయ్యము పట్టినట్లు
edi pattina dayyamu pattinatlu
Whatever one touches/holds, it is as if a ghost has possessed it.
This expression is used to describe someone who goes to extremes or becomes obsessively persistent in whatever task they undertake. It can also refer to someone who consistently encounters bad luck or complications in every endeavor they start, as if it were cursed or jinxed.
గురువుకు పంగనామాలు పెట్టడం
guruvuku panganamalu pettadam
To put Panganâmams on your Guru. To outwit him. Panganâmam is a very large Nāmam, the sectarian mark worn on the forehead by Vaishṇavas.
This expression is used when someone cheats, deceives, or outsmarts their own mentor, teacher, or the person who helped them. It implies a betrayal of trust where the student/protege ends up causing a loss or embarrassment to their guide.
* Niemand sieht seine eigene Fehler.
పాపమని పాతచీర ఇస్తే, గోడచాటుకు పోయి మూరవేసిందట.
papamani patachira iste, godachatuku poyi muravesindata.
When an old saree was given out of pity, she went behind a wall and measured its length.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is ungrateful or overly critical of a charitable act. It refers to a person who, instead of being thankful for a gift given out of kindness, immediately starts looking for flaws or checking its value/size to see if it meets their expectations.
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.
ఉడకేసుకుని తిని, తడకేసుకుని పడుకొన్నట్టు.
udakesukuni tini, tadakesukuni padukonnattu.
Like boiling something to eat and then sleeping behind a bamboo screen.
This expression describes a simple, carefree, and contented life. It refers to a person who is satisfied with a basic meal and a modest place to sleep, living without any worries, complications, or high ambitions. It is often used to describe someone living a peaceful, stress-free life.
పాపమని పాత చీర ఇస్తే గోడ చాటుకు వెళ్ళి ముర వేసిందట.
papamani pata chira iste goda chatuku velli mura vesindata.
A (woman) secretly measures the length of a saree given out of pity.
It is like looking a gift horse in the mouth. Without being grateful, some people find fault even with generous people.
గురువుకు పంగనామాలు పెట్టడం
guruvuku panganamalu pettadam
Applying religious marks (deceiving) to the teacher himself.
This expression is used when a student or a subordinate tries to cheat or outsmart the very person who taught them or mentored them. It signifies an act of extreme betrayal, ingratitude, or cunning deception against a mentor.