పిల్లి శాపాలకు ఉట్లు తెగుతాయా?
pilli shapalaku utlu tegutaya?
Will the hanging nets break because of a cat's curses?
This proverb is used to say that the malicious wishes or curses of an insignificant or weak person cannot harm those who are superior or more powerful. It suggests that baseless threats or bad intentions of envious people do not affect the natural course of events or a person's well-being.
Related Phrases
రవ్వ రవ్వతో తెగుతుంది కాని, రాతితో తెగుతుందా
ravva ravvato tegutundi kani, ratito tegutunda
A diamond is cut by a diamond, but can it be cut by a stone?
This proverb suggests that certain tasks or people can only be handled or influenced by their equals or counterparts. Just as a hard diamond requires another diamond to be shaped, a strong-willed or highly skilled person can only be challenged or countered by someone of similar caliber, not by an ordinary or 'stone-like' force.
కోతలకు ఉత్తర కుమారుడు
kotalaku uttara kumarudu
Uttara Kumara for boasting
This expression is used to describe a person who boasts grandly or makes tall claims about their bravery and skills but fails to perform or flees when it comes to actual action. It originates from the character Uttara Kumara in the Mahabharata, who bragged about his prowess but was terrified upon seeing the Kaurava army.
చిన పేరితాడు తెగితే, పెదపేరి తాడు అప్పుడే తెగుతుంది
china peritadu tegite, pedaperi tadu appude tegutundi
If the small name-string breaks, the big name-string breaks right then.
This expression is used to describe a chain reaction or a situation where the loss or failure of a minor component immediately triggers the collapse of a major one. It is often used in the context of family relationships or traditional social structures where one event inevitably leads to another related consequence.
మాటకు మాట తెగులు, నీటికి నాచు తెగులు
mataku mata tegulu, nitiki nachu tegulu
Answering back is a disease to speech, just as moss is a disease to water.
This proverb suggests that arguing or talking back incessantly ruins the quality of a conversation, much like how moss pollutes and spoils a body of water. It is used to advise against unnecessary arguments or being argumentative for the sake of it.
ఎలుకకు పిల్లి సాక్షి
elukaku pilli sakshi
The cat a witness in the rat's case. Interested evidence. A fox should not be of the jury at a goose trial.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two parties who are naturally biased or complicit with each other stand as witnesses for one another. It implies that the testimony is untrustworthy because both parties have a mutual interest or are equally corrupt, much like how a cat and mouse 'working together' would be an absurdity or a conspiracy.
మాటకు మాట తెగులు, నీళ్లకు నాచు తెగులు
mataku mata tegulu, nillaku nachu tegulu
Word upon word spoils speech as weeds spoil water.
This proverb highlights that constant arguing or talking back ruins the quality of a conversation, just as algae/moss spoils the purity of water. It suggests that excessive talkativeness or being argumentative is a negative trait that hinders meaningful communication.
పాలకు కాపలా, పిల్లికి తోడు
palaku kapala, pilliki todu
Guarding the milk while being a companion to the cat.
This expression is used to describe a person who pretends to be helpful or protective but is actually secretly collaborating with the one causing the harm. It refers to a situation involving a conflict of interest or double-crossing.
శాపాలకు చచ్చినవాడు, దీవెనలకు బ్రతికినవాడు లేరు.
shapalaku chachchinavadu, divenalaku bratikinavadu leru.
There is no one who died because of curses, nor anyone who lived because of blessings.
This proverb emphasizes that human life and destiny are governed by actions and natural laws rather than just the words of others. It suggests that mere words—whether malicious curses or benevolent blessings—do not have the power to change one's fate or physical reality. It is used to encourage people to ignore empty threats or not rely solely on praise.
నీటికి నాచు తెగులు, నాతికి రంగు తెగులు
nitiki nachu tegulu, natiki rangu tegulu
Moss is a disease for water; vanity is a disease for a woman.
This proverb suggests that just as moss spoils the purity and clarity of water, an obsession with makeup, vanity, or external appearance can ruin the character or integrity of a person. It is used to caution against excessive materialism or preoccupation with looks.
చినపేరితాడు తెగితే, పెదపేరితాడు తెగుతుంది
chinaperitadu tegite, pedaperitadu tegutundi
If the small name-thread breaks, the big name-thread will also break.
This expression suggests that if a small problem or minor connection is severed, it can lead to the destruction of a larger, more significant relationship or structure. It is often used to warn that neglect of small things can lead to a domino effect, resulting in a major loss.