పొడుం ఎక్కించే ముక్కు, పొగ పీల్చే నోరు శుభ్రంగా ఉండవు
podum ekkinche mukku, poga pilche noru shubhranga undavu
A nose that snuffs tobacco and a mouth that inhales smoke are never clean.
This expression is used to highlight that bad habits or addictions inevitably leave visible or invisible marks on a person. Just as tobacco stains the nose and smoke fouls the breath, engaging in negative behaviors or keeping bad company leaves a lasting 'stain' on one's character or reputation. It emphasizes that purity and vice cannot coexist.
Related Phrases
ఎద్దు ఎక్కినవాడే లింగడు, గద్దె నెక్కినవాడే రంగడు.
eddu ekkinavade lingadu, gadde nekkinavade rangadu.
The one who mounts the bull is Shiva, and the one who sits on the throne is the King.
This proverb highlights that power, position, or status is often defined by the seat or authority one occupies. It suggests that once a person reaches a position of power (the throne), they are automatically respected or recognized as the ruler, regardless of their prior identity. It is often used to describe how people's perception of an individual changes based on their newfound status or authority.
కడి అంటే నోరు తెరచి, కళ్లెమంటే నోరు మూసినట్టు.
kadi ante noru terachi, kallemante noru musinattu.
Like [ a horse ] which opens its mouth for a morsel, and shuts it for the bridle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is very eager and cooperative when there is a benefit or reward (like food) but becomes resistant or difficult when it is time to work or be disciplined (like putting on a horse's bridle). It highlights opportunistic or lazy behavior.
గుగ్గిళ్ళకు నోరు తెరచి, కళ్ళానికి నోరు మూసినట్టు
guggillaku noru terachi, kallaniki noru musinattu
Opening the mouth for boiled grains, but closing it for the threshing floor.
This proverb describes a person who is eager and greedy for small, immediate benefits (represented by a handful of boiled snacks/guggillu) but remains silent or fails to act when there is an opportunity for a much larger gain (represented by the entire harvest at the threshing floor/kallam). It is used to mock someone who lacks a sense of proportion or fails to recognize where the real profit lies.
పంచశుభం పంచాశుభం
panchashubham panchashubham
Five good things, five bad things. Differently interpreted to mean five good and five bad qualities ; the five senses applied to good and to bad uses, &c.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is an equal mix of positive and negative outcomes. It highlights the dual nature of life or a specific event where success and failure, or joy and sorrow, occur simultaneously in equal measure.
తిట్టే నోరు కొట్టినా ఊరకుండదు
titte noru kottina urakundadu
A mouth that scolds will not remain silent even if it is beaten
This expression refers to people who have a compulsive habit of speaking ill of others or complaining. It suggests that such behavior is so deeply ingrained that no amount of punishment or warning will stop them from expressing their negativity.
దుష్టుడికి దూరంగా ఉండాలి
dushtudiki duranga undali
One should stay far away from a wicked person
This expression is used as a piece of advice to avoid association with people of bad character. It suggests that interacting with malicious or evil-minded individuals will only lead to trouble, so maintaining physical and social distance is the best form of self-protection.
నోరు మూస్తే మూగ, నోరు తెరిస్తే రోత
noru muste muga, noru teriste rota
If you shut up her mouth she remains like a dumb woman, if you let her open her mouth she's a vixen.
This expression is used to describe a person who seems decent or tolerable as long as they stay quiet, but as soon as they start speaking, they reveal their unpleasant nature, lack of sense, or rude behavior. It emphasizes that for some people, silence is their only redeeming quality.
ఆడే కాలూ పాడే నోరూ ఊరుకోవు
ade kalu pade noru urukovu
A dancing foot and a singing mouth are never quiet.
This proverb is used to describe a person's inherent nature or talent that cannot be suppressed. Just as a dancer's feet naturally move to a rhythm or a singer instinctively hums a tune, someone with a particular habit, skill, or restless nature will find it impossible to remain idle or silent for long.
గద్దించే అత్త, మర్దించే మామ
gaddinche atta, mardinche mama
A scolding mother-in-law and a physically punishing father-in-law.
This expression describes a harsh or oppressive domestic environment, particularly referring to a household where elders are overly strict, demanding, and cruel toward a daughter-in-law. It is used to illustrate a situation of constant harassment and lack of peace at home.
తిట్టే నోరు, తినే నోరు, తిరిగే కాలు ఊరకుండవు
titte noru, tine noru, tirige kalu urakundavu
The mouth that scolds, the mouth that eats, and the leg that wanders cannot stay still.
This proverb highlights ingrained habits or natural tendencies that are difficult to change. It implies that a person prone to verbal abuse will continue to shout, a glutton will always look for food, and a wanderer will never stay in one place. It is used to describe people who are slaves to their repetitive behaviors or restless nature.