పేరు పెద్దరికం, చెప్పల మోత
peru peddarikam, cheppala mota
Great name, but carrying sandals.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has a high social status or a prestigious title, but in reality, they are performing menial tasks or living in poverty. It highlights the contrast between outward reputation and actual condition.
Related Phrases
పిలవని పేరంటం, చెప్పని ఒక్కపొద్దు.
pilavani perantam, cheppani okkapoddu.
An uninvited gathering and an unannounced fast.
This proverb is used to describe an unwanted or uninvited guest who arrives unexpectedly. It highlights the awkwardness of someone participating in an event or making a commitment (like a religious fast) without proper invitation or prior notice, often causing inconvenience to others.
ఇంట్లో ఈగల మోత, బయట సవారీల మోత
intlo igala mota, bayata savarila mota
In the house a buzzing of flies, outside the hum of palankin bearers.
This expression describes a person or family who lives in poverty or misery at home while maintaining a false, extravagant status or show of wealth in public. It highlights the contrast between actual dire conditions and outward pretension.
Outward show, but poverty at home.
ఒకే చెప్పులజోడు అందరికీ సరిపోతుందా?
oke cheppulajodu andariki saripotunda?
Does the same pair of sandals fit everyone?
This expression is the Telugu equivalent of 'One size does not fit all.' It is used to suggest that a single approach, solution, or rule cannot be applied to everyone or every situation uniformly, as individual needs and circumstances vary.
పేరు పెద్ద, ఊరు దిబ్బ
peru pedda, uru dibba
A great name but the village a heap [of ruins ].
This expression is used to describe a person or situation that has a grand reputation or a high-sounding title, but lacks substance or quality in reality. It is similar to the English proverb 'Great cry and little wool' or 'All that glitters is not gold.'
చెట్టు పేరు చెప్పి కాయలమ్ముకున్నట్లు
chettu peru cheppi kayalammukunnatlu
Like selling fruits by using the name of the tree.
This expression is used to describe someone who leverages the fame, reputation, or hard work of their ancestors or superiors to gain personal profit or success without putting in any effort of their own.
ఉన్నవాడు ఊరికి పెద్ద, చచ్చినవాడు కాటికి పెద్ద.
unnavadu uriki pedda, chachchinavadu katiki pedda.
He that is alive is the head man of the village, and he that is dead is the head man of the burial ground. A taunt used to one who tries to make out that he is very highly connected.
This proverb highlights the transient nature of power and social status. It suggests that authority and leadership are only relevant while a person is alive and present in society; once deceased, their worldly influence vanishes and they belong only to the graveyard.
చెప్పలు ఉన్నా చెప్పులు తెగినా చుట్టరికం తప్పదు
cheppalu unna cheppulu tegina chuttarikam tappadu
Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.
This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.
గాడిదల మోత గుర్రాల మేత
gadidala mota gurrala meta
Donkeys carry the burden, horses get the feed
This proverb is used to describe an unfair situation where one person does all the hard labor (the donkey) while someone else reaps all the rewards and luxuries (the horse). It highlights exploitation or inequity in work and reward distribution.
చేపపిల్లకి ఈత నేర్పాలా?
chepapillaki ita nerpala?
Do you need to teach a baby fish how to swim?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to teach a skill to a person who is already naturally gifted or genetically predisposed to it. It implies that certain talents are inherent and do not require external instruction.
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.