పెత్తనానికి పోతే, దుత్త చేతికి వస్తుంది
pettananiki pote, dutta chetiki vastundi
If you go to exercise authority, you will end up with a pot in your hand
This proverb is used to warn against interfering in others' affairs or trying to show off authority where it isn't needed. It suggests that such overreaching behavior often leads to losing one's dignity or ending up with menial tasks (symbolized by the 'dutta' or small pot). It is used to advise someone to mind their own business to avoid embarrassment.
Related Phrases
గుడ్డు పెట్టలేక పెట్ట చస్తుంటే, తొక్కను పుంజు చూస్తుందట.
guddu pettaleka petta chastunte, tokkanu punju chustundata.
While the hen is dying because she cannot lay the egg, the rooster is busy staring at the eggshell.
This proverb describes a situation where one person is undergoing extreme suffering or a life-threatening struggle, while another person nearby is indifferent and only cares about a trivial or selfish detail. It is used to criticize lack of empathy and misplaced priorities during a crisis.
కుడుము చేతికివస్తే పండుగనేవాడు
kudumu chetikivaste panduganevadu
A person who considers it a festival whenever he gets a kudumu (steamed dumpling) in his hand.
This expression describes a person who lacks foresight or long-term planning, finding complete satisfaction in small, immediate gains. It is used to mock someone who is easily pleased by minor, temporary comforts and forgets about the future or larger goals.
తెలివికి తల లేకపోయినా, భోజనానికి పొట్ట ఉంది.
teliviki tala lekapoyina, bhojananiki potta undi.
Even if there is no head for intelligence, there is a stomach for food.
This sarcastic expression is used to describe someone who lacks common sense, wisdom, or the desire to work, yet is always ready and eager to eat. It highlights the irony of a person being mentally inactive but physically demanding.
కలిమి వస్తే బలం వస్తుంది, కలిమి పోతే బలం పోతుంది.
kalimi vaste balam vastundi, kalimi pote balam potundi.
When wealth comes, strength comes; when wealth goes, strength goes.
This expression highlights the social reality that a person's influence, status, and perceived power are often directly tied to their financial standing. It is used to describe how people respect and follow someone when they are rich, but abandon or overlook them once they lose their fortune.
అందానికి పెట్టిన సొమ్ము ఆపదకు అడ్డం వస్తుంది.
andaniki pettina sommu apadaku addam vastundi.
Wealth spent on beauty (ornaments) will come in handy during a crisis.
This proverb highlights the practical value of investing in jewelry or gold. While ornaments are primarily worn for beauty, they serve as a financial safety net that can be easily liquidated or used as collateral when one faces unexpected difficulties or emergencies.
కలిసివచ్చే కాలానికి కుందేలు వంట ఇంటికి వస్తుంది.
kalisivachche kalaniki kundelu vanta intiki vastundi.
When time is favorable, the rabbit itself comes to the kitchen.
This proverb is used to describe a stroke of extreme good luck or a period of time when everything goes your way without much effort. It suggests that when fortune favors you, even difficult-to-attain things (like a fast rabbit) will present themselves easily to you (entering the kitchen).
తవిటికి వచ్చిన చెయ్యే ధనానికి వస్తుంది.
tavitiki vachchina cheyye dhananiki vastundi.
The hand that comes for bran will eventually come for wealth.
This proverb describes how habits formed while handling trivial or low-value items will persist when dealing with valuable things. It is often used to warn that someone who steals small things will eventually steal large amounts, or that discipline in small matters leads to discipline in large ones.
పాత తంగేడు పువ్వు పండుగ నాటికైనా పనికివస్తుంది.
pata tangedu puvvu panduga natikaina panikivastundi.
An old Tangedu flower will be useful at least on the day of the festival.
This proverb highlights that even something old or seemingly useless can find its value during a specific occasion or time of need. It is often used to suggest that one should not discard old items or ignore old resources, as their importance might be realized later.
నోటికీ చేతికీ అడ్డులేదు
notiki chetiki adduledu
There is no barrier between the mouth and the hand.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks self-control or discipline. It usually refers to someone who eats excessively without restraint or someone who speaks impulsively and acts recklessly without thinking of the consequences.
అదృష్టం ఉంటే చేయి జారిపోయేది కూడా చేతికి వస్తుంది.
adrishtam unte cheyi jaripoyedi kuda chetiki vastundi.
If there is luck, even what slips from the hand will return to the hand.
This expression emphasizes the power of fortune or destiny. It implies that if one is destined to have something, it will find its way back even after it seems lost or out of reach. It is used to console someone who has experienced a near-miss or to describe an unexpected positive outcome.