పెడితే పెళ్ళి, పెట్టకపోతే పెటాకులు
pedite pelli, pettakapote petakulu
If given, it's a marriage; if not, it's shattered pieces.
This proverb describes a fickle or opportunistic person who is pleasant and supportive only as long as they receive favors or benefits. If their demands are met, everything is celebrated (like a wedding); if not, they turn hostile and create trouble (represented by the sound of crackers or destruction).
Related Phrases
ఇస్తే పెళ్ళి, లేకపోతే పేటాకులు
iste pelli, lekapote petakulu
If given, it's a wedding; if not, it's total destruction.
This expression describes an extreme, 'all or nothing' attitude or a situation that results in either a grand celebration or complete ruin. It is often used to characterize people who are unpredictable and prone to overreacting—becoming overly generous when happy but destructive or hostile when they don't get their way.
నీవు పెట్టకపోయినా పెట్టే ఇల్లు చూపించుమన్నట్టు.
nivu pettakapoyina pette illu chupinchumannattu.
Though you don't give alms, point out a house where they do.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is unable or unwilling to help should at least guide the person in need to someone who can. It emphasizes that if you cannot be a benefactor, you should at least not be an obstacle and instead provide helpful information or direction.
ఇస్తే పెళ్లి, ఇవ్వకపోతే పెటాకులు
iste pelli, ivvakapote petakulu
If given, a wedding; if not, crackers.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely demanding or fickle. It implies that if things go their way, they will celebrate (a wedding), but if they don't get what they want, they will create chaos or break relationships (crackers/explosions). It describes an 'all or nothing' or 'my way or the highway' attitude.
నీ చంకలో పెట్టుకొని పెళ్ళికి వెళ్ళినట్లు
ni chankalo pettukoni pelliki vellinatlu
Like going to a wedding while carrying water (neeyi) in one's armpit.
This expression is used to describe a person who carries unnecessary baggage or clings to something burdensome while going to an important or celebratory event. It highlights the absurdity of holding onto something that hinders one's enjoyment or ease during a significant occasion.
పెడితే పెళ్లి, పెట్టకుంటే పెడాకులు
pedite pelli, pettakunte pedakulu
If served, it is a wedding; if not, it is a divorce.
This proverb describes a fickle or opportunistic mindset. It refers to people who are only friendly and supportive as long as they are receiving benefits or being favored (represented by the wedding feast), but immediately turn hostile or sever ties when those benefits stop (represented by divorce). It highlights how some relationships are based solely on self-interest rather than genuine loyalty.
పాము వడకకపోతే, దాని విషం వడకకపోతుందా?
pamu vadakakapote, dani visham vadakakapotunda?
If the snake does not crawl, does its venom also not crawl?
This proverb is used to describe people who may appear quiet, weak, or inactive on the outside, but still retain their inherent dangerous nature or harmful qualities. It implies that a person's core character or 'venom' doesn't disappear just because they are not currently acting out.
ఇస్తే పెళ్ళి, ఇవ్వకపోతే పెటాకులు
iste pelli, ivvakapote petakulu
If you give, [I shall consider there is ] a marriage [in your house] and if you don't give, a funeral.
This expression describes a situation where things go smoothly as long as a person's demands or conditions are met, but the moment they are denied, they cause chaos or break the relationship. It is used to characterize fickle or demanding people who create trouble when they don't get their way.
The impertinent speech of a beggar. ఈ.
శుభ్రంగా బొట్టు పెట్టి పెళ్ళికి పిలిస్తే వెళ్ళక, పెంకు పట్టుకొని పులుసుకు వెళ్ళిందట.
shubhranga bottu petti pelliki piliste vellaka, penku pattukoni pulusuku vellindata.
When invited to a wedding with proper respect and a tilak, she didn't go; but later she went with a broken pot shard to beg for some stew.
This proverb describes a person who misses out on a great, respectful opportunity due to ego or negligence, only to later settle for something far inferior or beg for scraps out of necessity. It highlights the irony of rejecting a dignified invitation and later being forced to ask for favors in a humiliating manner.
నేను పుట్టకపోతే నీకు పెండ్లామే లేకపోవునే అంటే, నీవు పుట్టకపోతే నీ తల్లినే పెళ్ళాడి ఉందునన్నాడట.
nenu puttakapote niku pendlame lekapovune ante, nivu puttakapote ni talline pelladi undunannadata.
When she said 'If I hadn't been born, you wouldn't have had a wife at all', he replied 'If you hadn't been born, I would have married your mother'.
This is a humorous and sarcastic Telugu proverb used to describe a witty or sharp-tongued retort to an arrogant or self-important claim. It highlights how someone's attempt to show their indispensability can be met with a crushing and absurd counter-argument, often used to silence someone who is bragging about their role in a situation.
పెడితే పెళ్లి, పెట్టకపోతే శ్రాద్ధం
pedite pelli, pettakapote shraddham
If you feast me [I shall consider it] a marriage and if not, a funeral.
This expression describes a person with a fickle or opportunistic nature who praises you when you provide them with benefits but turns hostile and curses you the moment you stop. It highlights extreme inconsistency in behavior based solely on self-interest.
Fair and foul words.