ఒకడు మునిగిపోతూ ఉంటే, ఇంకొకడు ఈత వచ్చా అని అడిగితే, వాడు మునిగిపోతూ కూడా వచ్చు అన్నాడట.
okadu munigipotu unte, inkokadu ita vachcha ani adigite, vadu munigipotu kuda vachchu annadata.
When one was drowning and another asked if he knew how to swim, he replied 'I know' even while sinking.
This expression is used to mock someone who is too proud to admit their failure or lack of knowledge even when they are in a desperate or losing situation. It highlights the foolishness of maintaining a false ego while facing total ruin.
Related Phrases
ద్రవ్యం దాచినవాడికి తెలుసు, లెక్క వ్రాసినవాడికీ తెలుసు.
dravyam dachinavadiki telusu, lekka vrasinavadiki telusu.
The one who hides the wealth knows, and the one who records the account also knows.
This proverb is used to indicate that secrets related to money or hidden actions are usually known by two types of people: the one who performed the act and the one who maintains the records or details. It implies that truth cannot be hidden forever when there is documentation or a second party involved.
గుట్టం పేరు గోడ అయితే, గోడ పేరు గుర్రం గదా, ఇక నాకు ఉర్దూ అంతా తెలుసు అన్నాడట!
guttam peru goda ayite, goda peru gurram gada, ika naku urdu anta telusu annadata!
If the name of a peg is a wall, and the name of a wall is a horse, then I know all of Urdu!
This proverb is used to mock someone who makes absurd, illogical connections and then claims to be an expert in a subject. It highlights the arrogance of people who believe they have mastered a complex skill or language based on completely wrong or superficial assumptions. It is often applied to someone who talks nonsense with great confidence.
గుర్రము పేరు గోడ అయితే, జీని పేరు మదురు—ఇకను నాకు అంతా తెలుసును అన్నాడట.
gurramu peru goda ayite, jini peru maduru—ikanu naku anta telusunu annadata.
If a horse is Gôḍa, then a saddle is Maduru—I don't want to be told more. Said by a Kômsṭi who was learning Hindustani from a Mussalman at so much per word. He mistook Ghoṛâ (Hind.) "a horse" for Gôḍa (Tel.) "a wall," and with the stinginess common to his caste said he did not want to be told what a saddle was as it must be Maduru "coping."
This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to have profound knowledge or mastery over a subject after learning only a few superficial or irrelevant details. It highlights the ignorance of people who jump to conclusions based on a tiny, literal bit of information while missing the bigger picture.
కుక్క తోక వంకర, ఎంతటికీ గుణము మానను అన్నదట.
kukka toka vankara, entatiki gunamu mananu annadata.
A dog's tail is crooked; it said it won't change its nature.
This expression is used to describe a person who refuses to change their inherent bad habits or character, regardless of how much advice they receive or how much effort is made to reform them. It is similar to the English proverb 'A leopard cannot change its spots'.
శుంఠ అంటే నా పేరెట్లా తెలుసు అన్నాడట
shuntha ante na peretla telusu annadata
When called 'Idiot', he replied 'How do you know my name?'
This is a humorous proverb used to describe a person who is so foolish or thick-skinned that they take an insult as a personal recognition. It is used to mock someone who is completely unaware of their own stupidity or shortcomings.
బలుసు పండితే గొలుసుల్లా కంకులు
balusu pandite golusulla kankulu
If the Balusu plant ripens, the ears of grain will be like chains.
This is an agricultural proverb used to describe a bountiful harvest. It suggests that when the wild Balusu plant thrives and ripens well, it serves as a natural indicator that the grain crops (like millet or paddy) will also be extremely productive, with ears of grain hanging thick and long like heavy chains.
గాడిదకేమి తెలుసు గంధపు పొడి వాసన
gadidakemi telusu gandhapu podi vasana
What does a donkey know about the scent of sandalwood powder?
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the refinement, knowledge, or aesthetic sense to appreciate the value or quality of something superior. It is similar to the English expression 'casting pearls before swine.'
పడినాయి అన్నదట.
padinayi annadata.
She said 'they have fallen'.
This phrase is used to describe a person who tries to cover up their failure or misfortune by acting as if it was their original intention or a deliberate choice. It originates from a story where a person falls down and, to avoid embarrassment, claims they intended to lie down.
పట్టపగలు కన్నము వేస్తావేమిరా అంటే, నా కక్కురితి నీకు ఏమి తెలుసును అన్నాడట.
pattapagalu kannamu vestavemira ante, na kakkuriti niku emi telusunu annadata.
A burglar being asked why he was house-breaking in the day time, replied " What do you know of my necessities?" Distress tempts to crime.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is so driven by greed or extreme necessity that they abandon all common sense, shame, or fear of consequences. It highlights how someone might do something blatantly foolish or risky just to satisfy their immediate urges or needs.
మునిగే వానికి తెలుసు నీటి లోతు.
munige vaniki telusu niti lotu.
Only the one who sinks knows the depth of the water.
This proverb means that only the person who is actually experiencing a difficult situation or problem understands the true extent of its gravity. It is used to suggest that outsiders or observers cannot fully grasp the challenges or pain someone is going through until they are in their shoes.