పెద్దరెడ్డి కొంగు పట్టుకుంటే, కాదనేదెట్లా అన్నదట
peddareddi kongu pattukunte, kadanedetla annadata
When the Peddareddy (Village Headman) grabbed the edge of the saree, she asked 'How can I say no?'
This proverb describes a situation where someone pretends to be helpless or coerced while secretly being happy about a situation or benefiting from it. It refers to feigning reluctance when one is actually willing, or using the status/power of another person as an excuse to do something they already wanted to do.
Related Phrases
పట్టినవాడు పరిగపిల్ల అంటే, పట్టనివాడు మట్టపిల్ల అన్నాడట.
pattinavadu parigapilla ante, pattanivadu mattapilla annadata.
When the one who caught it said it was a Pariga fish, the one who didn't catch it said it was a Matta fish.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who has no involvement or knowledge in a matter tries to contradict or argue with the person who actually did the work or has firsthand experience. It highlights the tendency of people to offer unwanted and uninformed opinions.
ఎనుము యీనినది రెడ్డి అంటే, నీకేమి కద్దే బొడ్డీ అన్నాడట.
enumu yininadi reddi ante, nikemi kadde boddi annadata.
When she said "O Reddi! your buffalo has calved," he replied "O Boddi! what's that to you?" The woman wanted some milk.
This proverb is used to tell people to mind their own business or to highlight that a particular piece of news or event has no relevance or benefit to the person reacting to it. It mocks those who get unnecessarily excited or involved in matters that do not concern them.
నాకు లేక నాకుతుంటే, నీకెక్కడ దెత్తునే దేకులాడి
naku leka nakutunte, nikekkada dettune dekuladi
If I am licking because I have nothing, where can I get for you, you crawler?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person who is already in extreme poverty or dire straits is asked for help by someone else. It highlights that when the provider themselves lacks basic necessities, they cannot possibly fulfill the needs of others. It is often used sarcastically to ward off unreasonable demands.
గుమ్మడి కాయల దొంగ అంటే, తన భుజాలు తానే తడుముకున్నాడట
gummadi kayala donga ante, tana bhujalu tane tadumukunnadata
When the thief who stole the pumpkin was spoken of, he felt his shoulders. Thinking some mark might have been left.
This expression is used to describe a person who inadvertently reveals their guilt through defensive or nervous behavior when a general accusation is made. It originates from a story where a thief, hearing a general shout about a pumpkin theft, checked his shoulders for traces of ash or marks, thereby identifying himself as the culprit. It is similar to the English idiom 'If the shoe fits, wear it' or 'A guilty conscience needs no accuser'.
A guilty conscience needs no accuser. He that has a muckle nose thinks ilka ane is speaking o't. (Scots.)
ముట్టుకుంటే ముత్యం, పట్టుకుంటే బంగారం
muttukunte mutyam, pattukunte bangaram
A pearl if touched, gold if held.
This expression is used to describe someone or something of exceptional quality, value, or purity. It is often used as a compliment for a well-behaved child, a virtuous person, or a piece of work that is flawless and precious.
బావ అని చూడబోతే రావా అని కొంగు పట్టుకున్నాడట.
bava ani chudabote rava ani kongu pattukunnadata.
When she looked at him as a brother-in-law, he grabbed her saree hem saying 'wont you come?'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone mistakes another person's kindness or respect for weakness and tries to take undue advantage of them. It highlights the behavior of people who respond to decency with disrespect or inappropriate advances.
ఏమే వాడి దగ్గర పండుకొన్నావంటే, అంత పెద్దమనిషి చేయి పట్టుకుంటే కాదనేది ఎట్లా? అన్నదట.
eme vadi daggara pandukonnavante, anta peddamanishi cheyi pattukunte kadanedi etla? annadata.
When asked why she slept with him, she replied, 'How can I say no when such an influential/great man grabs my hand?'
This satirical proverb is used to criticize people who justify their wrongdoings or lack of character by citing the high status or power of the person who led them astray. It mocks those who use 'politeness' or 'respect for authority' as a weak excuse for committing an immoral or inappropriate act.
'తూ' అంటే, బలా అన్నదంట
tu ante, bala annadanta
If one says 'Thoo' (spit/insult), the other said 'Bala' (excellent/good).
This proverb is used to describe a person who is shameless or lacks self-respect. It refers to someone who takes an insult or a criticism as a compliment, often due to thick-skinned behavior or a refusal to acknowledge their mistakes.
పెద్దతల లేకుంటే పెద్దరికం చాలదు
peddatala lekunte peddarikam chaladu
If there is no elderly head, the status of elderliness is insufficient.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of having an experienced or wise person at the helm. It suggests that without a wise leader (a big head) to guide and make decisions, simply holding a position of authority or seniority (elderliness) is not enough to manage a family or a group effectively.
కన్నతల్లి కాదన్నా కట్టుకున్నది కాదన్నా బ్రతుకే వ్యర్థం
kannatalli kadanna kattukunnadi kadanna bratuke vyartham
If the mother who gave birth rejects you and the wife you married rejects you, life is a waste.
This expression highlights the significance of primary relationships in a person's life. It suggests that if one loses the love and support of both their mother (representing one's origin) and their spouse (representing one's life partner/future), their existence becomes meaningless or devoid of purpose.