పిండి బొమ్మను చేసి పీటమీద కూర్చుండ బెట్టితే, ఆడబిడ్డతనాన అదిరదిరి పడ్డదట
pindi bommanu chesi pitamida kurchunda bettite, adabiddatanana adiradiri paddadata
When they made an image of an Âḍa Bidda of flour and put it on a seat, it shook itself about [ in threatening postures ] and gave itself great airs. Âḍa Bidda ( literally "a female child" ) is the familiar name for a husband's sister, who manages her brother's household in the absence of her mother.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, despite being in an insignificant or created position, shows excessive arrogance or bossy behavior. In traditional households, a sister-in-law (husband's sister) often held a position of authority. This saying mocks someone who has no real power but acts entitled and demanding as soon as they are given even a tiny bit of importance.
Related Phrases
వచ్చిన కోడలు నచ్చితే, ఆడబిడ్డ అదిరిపడిందట
vachchina kodalu nachchite, adabidda adiripadindata
When the new daughter-in-law was liked, the sister-in-law was startled.
This proverb describes jealousy and insecurity within family dynamics. It refers to a situation where a newcomer's success or acceptance makes an existing member feel threatened or envious, even when there is no logical reason for conflict.
కూర్చుండి తింటే కొండలైనా కరిగిపోతాయి
kurchundi tinte kondalaina karigipotayi
One must sit first, and then lie down. Said to a man inclined to do a thing hastily. First creep, then go.
This proverb is used to warn that if one only consumes wealth without working to earn or replenish it, even the vastest fortunes will eventually be exhausted. It emphasizes the importance of hard work and the dangers of laziness or dependency on inheritance.
చెంబు ఎక్కడ పెట్టి మరిచిపోయావురా అంటే నీళ్ళ చాయ కూర్చున్న చోటికి ఇటు అన్నాడు; నీళ్ళ చాయ ఎక్కడ కూర్చున్నావు అంటే చెంబు పెట్టిన దానికి అటు అన్నాడు.
chembu ekkada petti marichipoyavura ante nilla chaya kurchunna chotiki itu annadu; nilla chaya ekkada kurchunnavu ante chembu pettina daniki atu annadu.
When asked where he forgot the water pot, he said 'This side of where I sat for water'; when asked where he sat for water, he said 'That side of where I put the pot'.
This proverb describes a situation of circular reasoning or giving evasive, useless answers. It is used to mock someone who provides explanations that lead back to the starting point without providing any actual information or solving the problem.
అయితే ఆడబిడ్డ, కాకుంటే మొగబిడ్డ అన్నాడట
ayite adabidda, kakunte mogabidda annadata
He said 'If it happens, it's a girl; if not, it's a boy'
This proverb is used to mock someone who makes an obvious or inevitable prediction that covers all possible outcomes. It describes a situation where a person states the obvious as if it were a profound insight, or takes a stance where they cannot be proven wrong because they have accounted for every alternative.
కూచమ్మ కూడబెడితే, మాచమ్మ మాయం చేసింది
kuchamma kudabedite, machamma mayam chesindi
Mâchamma made away with what Kûchamma gathered.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person works hard to save money or resources, while another person recklessly spends or wastes it all. It highlights the contrast between a thrifty person and a spendthrift, or how easily hard-earned savings can be squandered by others.
అమ్మవారి మొక్కు తీరదు, ఆడబిడ్డ అప్పు తీరదు.
ammavari mokku tiradu, adabidda appu tiradu.
The vow to the Goddess is never fully finished; the debt to a sister is never fully repaid.
This proverb highlights the endless nature of certain obligations. Just as one continues to make offerings to the Goddess throughout life, one's responsibilities and gifts toward a sister (or daughter) in a traditional family setup are perpetual and can never be considered 'settled' or 'paid off' completely.
కుక్కను అందలములో కూర్చుండ పెట్టితే, అమేధ్యము చూచి దిగ వురికినది.
kukkanu andalamulo kurchunda pettite, amedhyamu chuchi diga vurikinadi.
When they seated the dog in a palanquin, it saw filth and jumped down and ran to it.
This proverb implies that no matter how much you try to elevate someone's status or provide them with luxury, their innate nature or low character will eventually reveal itself. It is used to describe situations where a person reverts to their base habits despite being given a position of dignity.
Mean persons although exalted will not give up their low habits. Crooked by nature is never made straight by education. " Set a frog on a golden stool, and off it hops again into the pool." (German.)*
అయితే ఆడబిడ్డ, కాకుంటే మొగబిడ్డ, అదీ యిదీ తప్పితే అంతా అబద్ధం.
ayite adabidda, kakunte mogabidda, adi yidi tappite anta abaddham.
Perhaps a female child, if not, a male child ; if neither this nor that, it is all a lie. Said by an astrologer when consulted regarding a pregnant woman.
This sarcastic proverb is used to mock people who make vague or obvious predictions that cover all possible outcomes to ensure they are never proven wrong. It highlights the absurdity of stating the obvious as if it were a profound revelation or a certain prophecy.
అల్లమంటే తెలియదా బెల్లం మాదిరి పుల్లగా ఉంటుంది అన్నాడట
allamante teliyada bellam madiri pullaga untundi annadata
When asked about ginger, he said 'Don't I know? It is sour just like jaggery'.
This expression is used to mock someone who pretends to be an expert or highly knowledgeable about a subject when they actually lack even the most basic understanding of it. It highlights the absurdity of giving a confidently wrong answer where the description (sour jaggery) contradicts the actual nature of the object (pungent ginger).
బిడ్డ బావిలో పడ్డాడంటే, చద్దికూడు తిని వస్తానన్నాడట
bidda bavilo paddadante, chaddikudu tini vastanannadata
When told the child fell into the well, he said he would come after eating his leftovers.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely lazy, indifferent, or lacks a sense of urgency even in life-threatening or critical situations. It is used to criticize people who prioritize trivial personal comforts over immediate, serious responsibilities.