సగం పెట్టి మేనత్త అన్నట్లు.
sagam petti menatta annatlu.
Like giving only half and calling oneself a paternal aunt.
This proverb describes someone who does a half-hearted or incomplete favor but demands the full respect or status associated with a close relative or a great benefactor. It is used to mock people who are stingy or perform duties poorly yet expect high praise and recognition for their supposed 'generosity'.
Related Phrases
పినతండ్రి పెళ్ళాం పినతల్లి కాదు, మేనమామ పెళ్ళాం మేనత్త కాదు.
pinatandri pellam pinatalli kadu, menamama pellam menatta kadu.
Father's younger brother's wife is not a 'Pinatalli', and maternal uncle's wife is not a 'Menatta'.
This proverb is used to highlight that biological relationships and marital relationships carry different emotional weights or social expectations. It suggests that someone who enters the family through marriage might not always share the same innate affection or bond as a blood relative, or it is used to specifically define traditional kinship roles in Telugu culture where specific terms are reserved for biological relations.
అత్తా అత్తా అన్నం పెట్టత్తా అంటే సున్నం పెడతానే అందట.
atta atta annam pettatta ante sunnam pedatane andata.
When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'
This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.
ఏడ్చి తద్దినం పెట్టించుకున్నట్లు
edchi taddinam pettinchukunnatlu
Like crying and getting a death anniversary performed.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task or fulfills an obligation with great reluctance, lack of interest, or while complaining, rather than doing it willingly or happily. It implies that the person is doing something just for the sake of finishing it, often ruining the spirit of the activity.
అన్నం పెట్టినవారింటికి కన్నము పెట్టినట్లు
annam pettinavarintiki kannamu pettinatlu
Like breaking into the house of the person who fed you.
This expression describes extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms their benefactor or someone who has helped them in their time of need. It is used to condemn the act of biting the hand that feeds you.
పుంజం పెట్టినది బట్ట, లంచం పెట్టినది మాట.
punjam pettinadi batta, lancham pettinadi mata.
That is a cloth into which Punjam has been put, that is the word into which a bribe has been put. A Punjam is a skein of 60 threads ; the word is here used to signify the proper quantity of thread required for good cloth. The only way of obtaining a good recommendation is to purchase it with a bribe.
This proverb highlights that just as the quality of a cloth depends on the thread count (punjam), the outcome of a conversation or legal matter can be manipulated by bribery. It suggests that truth or promises can be twisted if someone is paid off, implying that a person's word might only hold value because of a bribe rather than integrity.
మొగుని పెత్తనం మొండి మేనత్త
moguni pettanam mondi menatta
The husband's authority and a stubborn paternal aunt.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is doubly burdened or oppressed by two difficult authorities. It typically refers to a woman's hardship when she has to deal with a dominating husband on one side and a relentless, stubborn mother-in-law (paternal aunt) on the other, leaving her with no peace or freedom.
లంచం పెట్టినది మాట, పుంజం పెట్టినది బట్ట.
lancham pettinadi mata, punjam pettinadi batta.
A bribe buys a word, and a skein of yarn makes a cloth.
This proverb highlights the efficacy of incentives. Just as a certain amount of yarn is required to weave a fabric, a bribe or a small favor is often used to get someone to speak in one's favor or to get a task done. It is used to describe how things are influenced by external motivations or materials.
దివిటీ ముందు దీపం పెట్టినట్లు.
diviti mundu dipam pettinatlu.
Like placing a small oil lamp before a flaming torch.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something small, insignificant, or inferior is compared to or placed in front of something vastly superior and brilliant. It highlights how the smaller object's light is completely overshadowed and made redundant by the larger one's brilliance.
మీసాలెందుకు రాలేదురా అంటే మేనత్త పోలిక అని, గడ్డం వచ్చిందేమిరా అంటే అది మేనమామ పోలిక అన్నాడట.
misalenduku raledura ante menatta polika ani, gaddam vachchindemira ante adi menamama polika annadata.
When asked why he had no mustache, he said he resembles his paternal aunt; when asked why he had a beard, he said he resembles his maternal uncle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who gives silly, illogical, or contradictory excuses to cover up their flaws or inconsistencies. It points out the absurdity of someone who tries to justify everything with convenient but nonsensical reasoning.
అన్నం అడిగినవాడికి సున్నం పెట్టినట్లు
annam adiginavadiki sunnam pettinatlu
Like applying lime to someone who asked for food
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.