తాటిఎత్తు ఎగిరినానంటే, తారాజువ్వెత్తు ఎగురు అన్నట్లు.
tatiettu egirinanante, tarajuvvettu eguru annatlu.
If I say I jumped as high as a palm tree, he says he will jump as high as a skyrocket.
This proverb describes a situation involving 'one-upmanship' or competitive boasting. It is used when a person tries to outperform or exaggerate even more than someone who is already bragging or making a significant claim. It highlights the tendency of some people to always claim they can do something better or bigger, regardless of how unrealistic the original claim was.
Related Phrases
ఎవరికో పుట్టిన బిడ్డను తన బిడ్డని ఎగిరెగిరి ముద్దుపెట్టుకున్నట్లు
evariko puttina biddanu tana biddani egiregiri muddupettukunnatlu
Like jumping and kissing someone else's child as if they were one's own.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes undue credit or feels excessive pride and excitement for something they did not create or achieve themselves. It highlights the absurdity of claiming ownership or being overly enthusiastic about someone else's hard work or success.
తాటిచెట్టు ఎక్కలేవు, తాటిగొల కొయ్యలేవు, తాతా నీకెందుకోయ్ పెండ్లాము?
tatichettu ekkalevu, tatigola koyyalevu, tata nikendukoy pendlamu?
You cannot climb the palm tree, you cannot harvest the palm fruit bunch; oh old man, why do you need a wife?
This is a sarcastic proverb used to mock someone who desires the benefits of a situation or relationship without having the basic capability or physical strength to fulfill the associated responsibilities. It highlights the mismatch between one's desires and their actual abilities.
చెట్టు ముందా, విత్తు ముందా అన్నట్టు
chettu munda, vittu munda annattu
Like asking whether the tree was first or the seed.
This expression is used to describe a classic 'chicken and egg' dilemma. It refers to a situation or debate where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened first or is the primary cause of the other.
A problem that cannot be solved. Ask which was born first, the hen or the egg. (Italian.)*
మళ్ళీ తెచ్చుకో అయ్యా అంటే, మరింత బువ్వెట్టు అన్నట్టు.
malli techchuko ayya ante, marinta buvvettu annattu.
When told 'Sir, please bring it back', he replied 'Give me more food'.
This proverb describes a person who is shamelessly lazy or demanding. It refers to a situation where someone is asked to return an item or redo a task, but instead of complying, they demand even more favors or resources. It is used to mock those who try to profit further when they are actually at fault or being asked to fulfill a basic responsibility.
ఉట్టికి ఎగురలేనివాడు స్వర్గానికి ఎగురుతానన్నట్లు
uttiki eguralenivadu svarganiki egurutanannatlu
The one who cannot jump to reach the 'Utti' (low hanging net) says he will fly to heaven.
This proverb is used to mock someone who makes grand, ambitious claims or attempts complex tasks when they are incapable of performing even the simplest or most basic actions. It highlights the gap between a person's actual abilities and their unrealistic boasts.
చెట్టు ముందా విత్తు ముందా అన్నట్లు
chettu munda vittu munda annatlu
Like asking whether the tree came first or the seed first.
This expression is used to describe a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma or a circular argument where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened or existed first. It is often applied to situations involving infinite regress or complex causal loops.
ఈత చెట్టు నీడ కాదు, తాటి చెట్టు తల్లి కాదు
ita chettu nida kadu, tati chettu talli kadu
A date palm tree's shade is not real shade, a palmyra tree is not a mother.
This proverb highlights that not everything that appears beneficial is actually helpful. The shade of a date palm is too sparse to provide relief, and while a palmyra tree is tall and useful, it lacks the nurturing quality of a mother. It is used to describe things or people that are inadequate despite their outward appearance or status.
ఈతచెట్టు ఇల్లు కాదు, తాటిచెట్టు తల్లి కాదు.
itachettu illu kadu, tatichettu talli kadu.
A silver date palm is not a home, and a palmyra palm is not a mother.
This proverb is used to warn against seeking comfort or reliability in things that are inherently hazardous or provide no real protection. Just as a palm tree provides very little shade or shelter (making it a poor 'home') and is often associated with intoxicants (toddy), one should not expect nourishment or maternal care from unreliable sources.
దగ్గేవాని దగ్గర డొక్కలు ఎగురవేసినట్లు
daggevani daggara dokkalu eguravesinatlu
Like puffing one's chest or heaving ribs in front of a person who is coughing.
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to show off or act superior in front of a person who is already an expert or much more experienced in that particular field. It highlights the foolishness of trying to impress someone with a small act when they are dealing with or performing a much larger version of the same thing.
అన్నీ ఉన్న ఆకు అణిగిమణిగి ఉంటుంది, ఏమీ లేని ఆకు ఎగిరెగిరి పడుతుంది
anni unna aku anigimanigi untundi, emi leni aku egiregiri padutundi
A leaf full of food stays calm and flat, while an empty leaf flies and flutters about.
This proverb is used to describe human behavior regarding knowledge and wealth. A person who is truly wise or wealthy remains humble and composed, whereas a person with little knowledge or substance tends to show off and boast excessively. It is the Telugu equivalent of 'Empty vessels make the most noise'.