పిల్లి బ్రాహ్మణుడు, పీట ముత్తైదువ
pilli brahmanudu, pita muttaiduva
The cat is a Brahmin, and the low wooden stool is a married woman.
This expression is used to mock someone who puts on a false show of extreme piety, innocence, or virtue. It describes a hypocrite who pretends to be saintly while harboring deceitful intentions or having a questionable character.
Related Phrases
పేదకు తగిలె బ్రహ్మహత్య అన్నట్లు
pedaku tagile brahmahatya annatlu
As if a poor person is accused of killing a Brahmin.
This proverb describes a situation where an unfortunate person is unfairly burdened with an enormous problem or a heavy accusation that they have no capacity to handle or resolve. In traditional contexts, 'Brahmahatya' (killing a Brahmin) was considered the ultimate sin with the heaviest consequences; a poor person facing such a charge would be completely helpless.
బలవంతపు బ్రాహ్మణార్థం
balavantapu brahmanartham
A forced priestly meal
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is coerced or pressured into doing something against their will or interest. It originates from the idea of forcing a priest to perform a ritual or partake in a ceremonial meal when they are unwilling or unprepared, implying that the act lacks genuine intent or joy.
పిల్లి బ్రహ్మహంత.
pilli brahmahanta.
Kill a cat, kill a Brahman. Doing harm to a cat is considered as sinful as injuring a Brahman.
This is a traditional Telugu saying used to emphasize the gravity of hurting or killing a cat, suggesting it is equivalent to the sin of killing a Brahmin (Brahmahatya Patakam). It is often used to discourage animal cruelty or to mock superstitious beliefs regarding the consequences of accidentally harming a cat.
బతికితే వైద్యుడు బతుకుతాడు, చస్తే బ్రాహ్మణుడు బతుకుతాడు
batikite vaidyudu batukutadu, chaste brahmanudu batukutadu
If the patient lives, the doctor survives; if the patient dies, the priest survives.
This proverb is a satirical take on professions that profit regardless of the outcome. It suggests that if a sick person recovers, the doctor earns money and fame, but if the person dies, the priest earns fees for performing the funeral rites. It is used to describe situations where certain parties benefit from both success and failure.
తిమ్మిని బమ్మిని, బమ్మిని తిమ్మిని చేయడం
timmini bammini, bammini timmini cheyadam
Turning Thimmi into Bammi and Bammi into Thimmi.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely manipulative or clever enough to distort the truth completely. It refers to the act of misrepresenting facts so convincingly that one thing is mistaken for another, often used in the context of deceptive arguments or 'turning the tables' through verbal trickery.
రాత రాసింది బ్రహ్మ, గీత గీసింది లక్ష్మణుడు
rata rasindi brahma, gita gisindi lakshmanudu
Brahma wrote the fate, Lakshmana drew the line.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one's destiny is fixed by a higher power (Brahma) and strict boundaries or rules are set by an authority figure (Lakshmana). It implies that a person is bound by both their predetermined fate and the rigid constraints of their current circumstances, leaving no room for change or escape.
ముండకాదు, ముత్తైదువా కాదు
mundakadu, muttaiduva kadu
Neither a widow nor a married woman with a living husband.
This expression refers to a person or a situation that is in a state of limbo or ambiguity, not belonging to one clear category or another. It is used to describe something that is neither here nor there, often implying a lack of clear identity, status, or decision.
పిల్లి లేని చోట ఎలుకల పండగ
pilli leni chota elukala pandaga
When the cat is away, the mice have a festival.
The phrase you provided seems to be a combination of different metaphors or a specific regional variation, but it primarily refers to the concept of 'When the cat's away, the mice will play.' It signifies that in the absence of a strict authority figure or a supervisor, subordinates or those who are usually fearful will act freely, recklessly, or celebrate without restraint.
పిల్లి బ్రాహ్మణుడు, వీట ముత్తెదువ.
pilli brahmanudu, vita mutteduva.
A cat [is as sacred as ] a Brahman, and the stool ( used for prayers, &c. ) is as sacred as his wife.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where completely unqualified or deceptive people are pretending to be virtuous or play roles they are naturally unfit for. It highlights hypocrisy or a ridiculous mismatch of character, often used when villains act like saints.
బ్రహ్మాస్త్రం
brahmastram
The weapon of Brahma
Refers to a final, most powerful, and infallible solution to a problem. It is used to describe an ultimate tactic or argument that is guaranteed to succeed when all other options have failed.