రహస్యంగా బుట్టలో పెడితే వీధిపాలైందిట

rahasyanga buttalo pedite vidhipalaindita

Translation

When kept secretly in a basket, it ended up on the street.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an attempt to hide a secret or a mistake backfires, resulting in it becoming public knowledge. It highlights that hidden matters often find a way to leak out despite one's best efforts to contain them.

Related Phrases

A kick landed one in a basket of garelu (cookies)

When some harm is intended to be inflicted on a person, sometimes the person gets benefited by that. Occasionally, evil intentions and actions of others may turn out to be beneficial.

Will the basket tear if you store cotton rolls in it?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a very light task or a small addition is expected to cause a major problem, which is impossible. It is often used sarcastically when someone overreacts to a minor burden or implies that a small effort will lead to exhaustion or damage.

Fierce behavior in the street, but melodious like a lute in the market.

This proverb describes a person who displays inconsistent behavior or dual personality depending on the audience. It refers to someone who acts aggressive, noisy, or heroic in one place (where they feel powerful or want to show off) but becomes timid, soft, or submissive in another place (where they are intimidated or need to blend in).

If you put a bandicoot in a storage pit, will it stay quiet?

This proverb is used to describe people whose inherent nature or bad habits cannot be changed even in favorable or restricted conditions. Just as a bandicoot will naturally dig through and destroy a grain storage pit (pathara) despite being surrounded by food, a person with a crooked nature will continue to do mischief or cause trouble regardless of where they are placed.

If given, a boon; if kept/placed, a curse.

This expression is used to describe a volatile or eccentric person whose behavior is unpredictable. If they are happy or pleased, they are extremely generous and helpful (giving a boon), but if they are offended or in a bad mood, they can be extremely destructive or hurtful (giving a curse). It highlights the risk involved in dealing with such individuals.

He sank down like a snake in a basket. i. e. his pride was humbled. A snake charmer's covered basket is here referred to.

This expression is used to describe someone who has become quiet, submissive, or suppressed, especially after being very aggressive or defiant previously. Just as a snake becomes still and contained when trapped in a charmer's basket, it refers to a person losing their sting or being forced into obedience.

Living in a flat basket moved to a deep basket, and living in a deep basket ended up in the ashes.

This proverb describes a gradual but certain downfall or the loss of one's livelihood and stability. It illustrates a step-by-step decline in prosperity where a person's situation goes from bad to worse, eventually ending in total ruin or nothingness (ashes). It is used to caution against mismanagement or to describe the unfortunate decay of a family's wealth.

Like a tassel placed in a fixed spot that unfurls and reaches the street

This expression refers to a situation where a secret or a private matter, despite attempts to keep it contained or 'tucked in,' spreads rapidly and becomes public knowledge. It is used to describe how certain information or rumors are impossible to hide once they start leaking out.

Like a snake in a basket

This expression is used to describe a person who is feeling trapped, suppressed, or constrained by their circumstances. It signifies a state of being confined in a small space or situation where one lacks freedom of movement or action, yet remains potentially dangerous or restless.

If put in one anthill, he is the one who comes out of a thousand anthills.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely clever, resourceful, or cunning. It implies that no matter how much you try to contain or trap such a person in one place or situation, they have the ability to navigate through complex challenges and emerge from unexpected places.