పెరగగా పెరగగా పెదబావగారు కోతి అయినాడు

peragaga peragaga pedabavagaru koti ayinadu

Translation

Growing and growing the big brother-in-law became a monkey.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone or something, instead of improving or maturing with age or progress, actually deteriorates or becomes ridiculous. It highlights a decline in quality, character, or status over time.

Related Phrases

The eldest brother-in-law among women

This expression is used to mock or describe a man who prefers the company of women over men, or one who meddles excessively in domestic affairs and women's conversations. It characterizes a man who acts like a leader or an authority figure specifically in female circles where he may feel more dominant or comfortable.

The more you practise the better you will sing; the more you groan the more will your illness increase.

This proverb emphasizes how practice and habits reinforce a state. Just as constant practice makes a singer's voice more melodic, constantly dwelling on illness or complaining about pain can make one's health feel worse or cause the ailment to persist. It is used to highlight that persistent effort leads to mastery, while persistent negativity leads to decline.

A man who doesn't know the ways of the world and a woman who doesn't know how to present herself are useless.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of social awareness and self-presentation. It suggests that a person who lacks worldly knowledge or common sense (a naive person) and a person who neglects their appearance or social etiquette are often disregarded or ineffective in society.

A monkey can break a coconut, but can it drink the water?

This proverb describes a situation where someone can easily destroy or disrupt something but lacks the skill, wisdom, or capability to actually benefit from it or handle the outcome. It is used to critique people who act impulsively or destructively without a plan for the final goal.

As the elder brother-in-law grew and grew, he eventually turned into a monkey.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone or something, instead of improving or maturing with progress or time, actually regresses or becomes foolish/useless. It is often applied to projects that start with great promise but end in a ridiculous failure, or to individuals who lose their dignity as they age or gain status.

Hunger knows not taste, sleep knows not comfort, lust knows not shame.

This proverb highlights how basic human instincts and intense emotions override physical circumstances or social norms. When one is starving, the quality of food doesn't matter; when one is exhausted, the comfort of the bed is irrelevant; and when one is in love, they disregard social embarrassment or shyness.

Hunger is the best sauce.

As he grew and grew, the elder brother-in-law became a Guttam donkey, they say.

This proverb is used to describe a person who, despite getting older or gaining more experience, becomes more foolish, stubborn, or useless instead of gaining wisdom. It highlights a situation where someone's growth is inversely proportional to their maturity or intelligence.

The tree starts growing only for the axe.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is raised or something is developed only to be exploited or destroyed in the end. It refers to the inevitable fate of something being nurtured just to meet an ultimate, often harsh, purpose.

Writing, writing, a Karaṇam; coughing, coughing, death. By working we become workmen, ( Latin. )* Constant dropping wears the stone.

This proverb emphasizes how repetition and practice lead to mastery in a skill, while persistent neglect or chronic health issues lead to downfall. Just as continuous writing turns one into a proficient scribe (Karanam), a persistent, untreated cough eventually results in death.

After shaving, all that is left is the top-lock. To sponge on another until he has nothing left. After shaving there is nothing to shear, (Italian.)

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has lost almost everything, and what remains is trivial or insignificant. It highlights a state of near-total loss or failure where the little that is left is not of much value.