పెళ్ళాన్ని కొట్టడం ఎప్పుడు మానినావు అని అడిగినట్లు

pellanni kottadam eppudu maninavu ani adiginatlu

Translation

Like asking someone, 'When did you stop beating your wife?'

Meaning

This refers to a 'loaded question' or a 'complex question' fallacy. It describes a situation where any answer given (Yes or No) would imply guilt or confirm a negative presupposition that may not be true. It is used when someone frames a question in a way that traps the other person into admitting something they didn't do.

Related Phrases

He came to the outskirts of the village and asked " How are my wife and children ?" A few yards more would have enabled the man to judge for himself. Said of impatience.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks patience or common sense. It refers to someone who is so close to their destination or a source of information that they could easily find out the truth themselves, yet they choose to ask others for the answer prematurely. It highlights unnecessary anxiety or a foolish shortcut.

When a man married a blind woman, on account of the smallness of the jointure, she broke all the pots in the pile.

This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to save money by choosing a cheap or inferior option, only to suffer much greater losses due to the hidden costs or incompetence of that choice. It is equivalent to the English concept of being 'penny wise and pound foolish.'

A washed mouth and a child who asks.

This proverb highlights two things that are always ready or desirable. A 'washed mouth' refers to a clean mouth ready to eat, and an 'asking child' refers to a child who is curious, expressive, or communicative about their needs, which is considered a sign of healthy development and clarity.

Even if the wound heals, the scar (stiffness) remains.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, although a primary problem or conflict has been resolved, the emotional damage, psychological impact, or physical trace of that event persists. It highlights that certain experiences leave lasting marks that do not disappear even after the initial 'pain' is gone.

Can the one who hit the daughter-in-law not hit the mother-in-law?

This expression means that a person who is capable of committing a minor offense or mistreating a specific person is also capable of committing a bigger offense or attacking someone in a higher position. It is used to warn that once a person crosses a boundary of decency or law, no one is safe from their behavior.

Like asking for wages to chew sugarcane

This expression describes a situation where someone asks for a reward or compensation for doing something that is already beneficial, pleasurable, or personally advantageous to them. It highlights the irony of demanding payment for an activity that is its own reward.

Like asking for a head wrap for the head.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes a request or demand that is redundant, obvious, or perfectly suited to the immediate need, often implying that what is being asked for is already essential or inevitable. It is frequently used when a person asks for something they are clearly entitled to or which is a natural fit for the context.

Like applying lime to someone who asked for food

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.

He might have beaten me, but he gave me a new saree.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone endures some hardship, insult, or mistreatment because they received a significant benefit or compensation in return. It highlights a trade-off where the material gain outweighs the temporary suffering or loss of dignity.

Even a mother won't feed her child unless asked.

This proverb is used to emphasize that one must express their needs or ask for help to receive it, as others might not intuitively know what is required. It suggests that even the most caring person (like a mother) requires a prompt or request before taking action.