పొరుగింటి బిడ్డను దించి, నీటి లోతు చూచినట్లు
poruginti biddanu dinchi, niti lotu chuchinatlu
Like dropping the neighbor's child into the water to check its depth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely selfish or cautious to a fault, risking others' well-being to test a dangerous situation before committing themselves. It highlights a lack of empathy and the tendency to use others as scapegoats or guinea pigs.
Related Phrases
పొరుగింటి బాన పాడి కంటే, తన ఇంటి గిద్ద పాడి మేలు
poruginti bana padi kante, tana inti gidda padi melu
The small measure of milk in one's own house is better than a large pot of milk in the neighbor's house.
This proverb emphasizes the value of self-reliance and ownership. It suggests that having a small amount of something that belongs to you is more reliable and beneficial than depending on a large amount that belongs to someone else. It is used to advise people to be content with what they own rather than looking at others' wealth.
పోడిమగల నాడె పొరుగింటి పొందు
podimagala nade poruginti pondu
A neighbor's friendship exists only as long as one is prosperous.
This proverb highlights the fickle nature of relationships based on social or financial status. It suggests that neighbors or associates are friendly and supportive only when you are wealthy or influential, but they may distance themselves or disappear when you face hardships.
పొరుగింటి కలహం విన వేడుక
poruginti kalaham vina veduka
A quarrel in the neighbor's house is a joy to hear.
This proverb highlights a common human tendency to find entertainment or amusement in the conflicts and troubles of others, particularly neighbors, while ignoring one's own issues. It describes the voyeuristic pleasure people sometimes take in gossip and local drama.
ఇంటి గుట్టు పొరుగు ఇళ్ళలో చెప్పే ఆడుబిడ్డ, దొంగిలించే కోడలు దొరికినట్లు
inti guttu porugu illalo cheppe adubidda, dongilinche kodalu dorikinatlu
Like finding a daughter-in-law who steals and a daughter who reveals house secrets to neighbors.
This expression describes a situation where a household faces double trouble or misfortune from within. It refers to a dysfunctional family environment where one person (the daughter) destroys the family's reputation through gossip, while another (the daughter-in-law) destroys its wealth or trust through theft. It is used to describe a combination of internal betrayals that lead to the downfall of a home.
పొరుగింటి అట్లకు నెయ్యి కాచినట్లు
poruginti atlaku neyyi kachinatlu
Like melting ghee for the neighbor's pancakes.
This expression describes a situation where someone works hard or spends resources on something that only benefits others and provides no benefit to themselves. It is used to highlight wasted effort or misplaced generosity where the doer gains nothing.
సూది బెజ్జం చూసి, జల్లెడ వెక్కిరించినట్లు.
sudi bejjam chusi, jalleda vekkirinchinatlu.
Like a sieve mocking the eye of a needle.
This proverb describes a hypocritical situation where someone with massive flaws (represented by the many holes in a sieve) criticizes another person for a single, tiny flaw (represented by the small eye of a needle). It is used when someone lacks the self-awareness to see their own great shortcomings before pointing out the minor mistakes of others.
బిడ్డను దించి లోతు చూచినట్లు
biddanu dinchi lotu chuchinatlu
Like dropping a child to check the depth of the water.
This expression is used to describe an extremely foolish, reckless, or irresponsible action where someone risks something very precious just to test or find out something trivial or unnecessary. It highlights a lack of common sense and a disregard for consequences.
ఇంటి పిల్లికి పొరుగింటి పిల్లి తోడు
inti pilliki poruginti pilli todu
The neighbour's cat is the ally of the house cat. Both join in mischief.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two people, often who should be at odds or are expected to be rivals, secretly collaborate or help each other for mutual benefit. It is frequently used to highlight how internal and external parties might conspire together, often in a negative or mischievous context.
మునిగే వానికి తెలుసు నీటి లోతు.
munige vaniki telusu niti lotu.
Only the one who sinks knows the depth of the water.
This proverb means that only the person who is actually experiencing a difficult situation or problem understands the true extent of its gravity. It is used to suggest that outsiders or observers cannot fully grasp the challenges or pain someone is going through until they are in their shoes.
బిడ్డను వేసి లోతు చూచినట్టు
biddanu vesi lotu chuchinattu
Like throwing a child into a well to find out the depth.
This expression is used to describe a foolish or reckless action where one risks something very precious just to test or find out something trivial or dangerous. It highlights extreme negligence or a lack of common sense in decision-making.