తేలు తేలండి! అని అరిస్తే మొగవాళ్లను పిలవవే అన్నాడట! మీరు మొగవారుకారా!

telu telandi! ani ariste mogavallanu pilavave annadata! miru mogavarukara!

Translation

When someone shouted 'A scorpion, bring it out!', he said 'Call the men!', to which they replied 'Aren't you a man?'

Meaning

This expression is used to mock someone who boasts about their bravery or status but avoids responsibility or shows cowardice when a real challenge or crisis arises. It highlights hypocrisy or laziness in people who consider themselves superior but refuse to act when needed.

Related Phrases

A laughing woman and a crying man should not be trusted.

This is a traditional proverb suggesting that certain behaviors might be deceptive or out of character. It implies that a woman who laughs excessively might be hiding her true intentions or lack seriousness, while a man who resorts to tears might be using them as a manipulative tactic rather than expressing genuine grief, as men were traditionally expected to be stoic.

Money left in the hands of a woman wont last; a child left in the hands of a man wont live.

This traditional proverb suggests that wealth tends to be spent quickly when managed by a woman (historically implying domestic expenses or lack of financial restraint), while a child may not thrive under a man's sole care due to a perceived lack of nurturing skills. It is used to describe situations where resources or responsibilities are placed in hands that are traditionally considered ill-equipped to preserve them.

There is no woman who cannot cook kuḍumus, nor man who cannot hum a tune.

This proverb highlights certain basic or inherent traits attributed to genders in traditional society. It implies that everyone possesses some fundamental skills or natural inclinations—suggesting that cooking simple staples is a basic skill for women and humming or showing interest in music/art is a basic trait in men. It is often used to describe common human nature or universal behaviors.

Kuḍumu is a common kind of cake. Applied to things which are very common.

If a scorpion is given authority, it will sting relentlessly all night long!

This proverb is used to describe the consequences of giving power to a cruel or incompetent person. Just as a scorpion's nature is to sting, a malicious person will misuse their newfound authority to harass others or cause harm without restraint.

If it rains during the Anuradha star period, it is said that a woman becomes a man.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb or folk saying related to agriculture and astrology. It metaphorically suggests that rains occurring during the Anuradha Karti (a specific period in the lunar calendar) are so powerful and life-giving that they can transform the weak into the strong, or more practically, that these rains ensure a bountiful, robust harvest that changes the fortunes of a household.

No matter how strong or great a man is, he is subordinate to a woman.

This expression suggests that regardless of a man's physical strength, social status, or outward power, he ultimately has a vulnerability or softness towards the women in his life (like a mother, wife, or daughter). It is often used to highlight the subtle influence and domestic power women hold over even the most formidable men.

If it rains during the Ashwini period, there will be no rain for the next six periods.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the monsoon cycle. It suggests that if heavy rains occur during the Ashwini Karti (the first period of the lunar calendar), it negatively impacts the rainfall in the following six periods, leading to a dry spell that can be detrimental to farmers.

There is a snake in the loom pit, go call any men if they are around, he said.

This proverb is used to mock a person who claims to be brave or masculine but shows cowardice in the face of danger. It describes a situation where a man, instead of dealing with a problem himself, asks a woman to find 'real men' to help, thereby exposing his own weakness and lack of courage.

It is said that if a man's leg or hand touches them, women will be uprooted.

This is a sarcastic or humorous proverb used to mock people who act overly delicate, fragile, or sensitive. It is often directed at those who pretend to be extremely vulnerable or 'break' easily under the slightest contact or pressure.

" When did you go to the river, when did you bring the sand ?" [asked the husband ] "If women like, how long will that take ?" [saucily replied the wife ] "If men like, how long will this take ?" [said the husband ] giving her four double-handers. The husband's question was caused by finding sand in his food.

This proverb is a sarcastic take on making excuses and the consequences of over-cleverness. It describes a situation where a woman tries to cover up a lie with a boastful remark about her capabilities, only for her husband to respond with a harsh reality check. It is used to caution against making unrealistic claims or using wit to hide faults, as it may provoke an equally strong or stronger reaction.

* Il faut tendre volle selon le vent.