సీదుకు రేగితే చిచ్చుబుడ్డి, కోపమొస్తే కొరివికట్టె
siduku regite chichchubuddi, kopamoste korivikatte
A flowerpot firework if slightly irritated, a flaming torch if angry.
This expression is used to describe a person with an extremely volatile temperament. It suggests that even a small provocation makes them flare up like a firecracker, and full-blown anger makes them as dangerous or intense as a burning wooden torch.
Related Phrases
గురువుకు రేగినా గుర్రానికి రేగినా పట్టేది కష్టం
guruvuku regina gurraniki regina pattedi kashtam
If the teacher gets angry or if the horse gets restless, it results in trouble.
This proverb highlights that certain situations or people must be handled with extreme care. If a mentor/teacher is provoked, the student loses knowledge; if a horse is agitated, the rider faces physical danger. It is used to suggest that one should avoid provoking those who have power over our well-being or progress.
మొగబుద్ధి మోటుబుద్ది, ఆడుబుద్ది అపరబుద్ధి.
mogabuddhi motubuddi, adubuddi aparabuddhi.
A man's mind is a blunt mind, a woman's mind is a subtle/sharp mind.
This proverb contrasts the psychological natures of men and women. It suggests that men tend to be more straightforward, rough, or simple-minded (motu), whereas women possess a more complex, strategic, or far-reaching intelligence (apara buddhi). It is often used to comment on how women can see through situations or plan more effectively than men.
విడవమంటే పాముకు కోపం, పట్టమంటే కప్పకు కోపం.
vidavamante pamuku kopam, pattamante kappaku kopam.
If told to let go, the snake gets angry; if told to catch, the frog gets angry.
This proverb describes a dilemma or a 'catch-22' situation where any decision made will result in someone being offended or a negative outcome. It is used when a person is stuck between two conflicting parties or choices where satisfying one inevitably displeases the other.
అమ్మబోతే అడివి, కొనబోతే కొరివి
ammabote adivi, konabote korivi
When he went to sell, his bargains were [as ruinous as] a jungle; when he went to buy [his purchases were as bad as] firebrands. Losing on both sides. Buy and sell and live by the loss.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme market volatility or an unfair economic predicament. It is used when a person finds that their goods have no value when they try to sell them (silent like a forest), but the same goods are exorbitantly expensive when they need to buy them (burns like a firebrand).
కొంటె కొరివి అమ్మితె అడివి
konte korivi ammite adivi
To buy is like a torch: to sell a wilderness.
This has reference to the price one gets and one has to pay while buying and selling. Neither buying nor selling is profitable to the needy.
సాధువు రేగితే తల పొలానగాని నిలువదు.
sadhuvu regite tala polanagani niluvadu.
If a saintly person is provoked, even a field is not enough for the head to rest.
This proverb highlights the intensity of the anger of a calm and patient person. It means that when a normally peaceful or 'sadhu-like' individual finally loses their temper, their wrath is so uncontrollable and immense that there is no place to hide or find safety.
తలక్రింది కొరివి
talakrindi korivi
A firebrand under the head
This expression refers to a constant, self-inflicted danger or a situation where one harbors something extremely risky or harmful. It is often used to describe keeping an untrustworthy person close or maintaining a habit that will eventually lead to one's own destruction.
తలకింది కొరివి
talakindi korivi
A brand under one's head.
This expression refers to a constant, self-inflicted danger or a source of perpetual anxiety that one keeps close by. It is used to describe a situation where a person maintains a relationship or makes a choice that poses a continuous threat to their own peace or safety, much like sleeping with a burning torch beneath one's head.
A dangerous companion.
సాదెద్దు సిదుకు రేగిన కంచెంత పాడు.
sadeddu siduku regina kanchenta padu.
If a docile ox gets irritated, it will ruin the entire fence.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a normally calm, patient, or quiet person loses their temper. It implies that when a gentle person finally gets angry, the resulting damage or outburst is significantly greater and more destructive than that of a naturally aggressive person.
విడువుమంటే పాముకు కోపము, పట్టుమంటే కప్పకు కోపము
viduvumante pamuku kopamu, pattumante kappaku kopamu
If you say "let it go" the snake will be angry, if you say "hold it" the frog will be angry. A difficulty in pleasing both parties in the settlement of a dispute. It is hard to please a' parties. (Scotch.)
This proverb describes a difficult dilemma or a 'no-win' situation where any decision made will inevitably offend or hurt one of the parties involved. It is used when a person is caught between two conflicting interests and is unable to please everyone.