తోడిపిల్లను తోడేలు ఎత్తుకుపోతే, ఆమడపిల్ల కలిసివచ్చిందని అన్నాడట.

todipillanu todelu ettukupote, amadapilla kalisivachchindani annadata.

Translation

When a wolf carried away the child nearby, he said the child from a distance of eight miles was a gain.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe someone who tries to find a false sense of consolation or profit in a situation involving a significant loss. It highlights a foolish or cynical optimism where a person ignores a major tragedy nearby by focusing on a minor, irrelevant, or non-existent benefit far away.

Related Phrases

When asked to go and see, he went and burnt it down.

This proverb is inspired by the character Hanuman from the Ramayana, who was sent to find Sita but ended up burning Lanka. It is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task far exceeding the original instructions, often in a bold, aggressive, or transformative way. It can be used both as praise for initiative or as a critique for overstepping bounds.

In favorable times, a son will be born who can already walk.

This proverb is used to describe a streak of extreme good luck. It suggests that when one's fortune is at its peak, everything happens effortlessly and yields extraordinary results beyond expectations. It is often cited when a person experiences a series of positive events where even the smallest effort leads to great success.

Sacrificing a pig to save a chicken.

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is an overwhelming mismatch in strength or capability between two sides. It suggests that comparing the two is futile because one clearly dominates the other, often used in a sarcastic or dismissive tone regarding a one-sided competition.

When the time is favorable, children will walk into your life.

This proverb signifies that when fortune is on your side, everything falls into place effortlessly and success comes looking for you. It is used to describe a period of great luck where even unexpected positive events occur without much effort.

Even if she is a five-year-old girl, she is considered inferior to a three-year-old boy.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb reflecting historical gender biases and patriarchal structures. It suggests that regardless of age or physical superiority, a female was traditionally expected to be subordinate to a male. In modern usage, it is often cited when discussing social inequalities or criticizing outdated societal norms.

The children of the deceased woman are under the feet of the newcomer.

This proverb describes the plight of motherless children who are often neglected or mistreated by a stepmother or a new person entering the household. It is used to highlight situations where vulnerable individuals lose their protection and are left at the mercy of someone who may not care for their well-being.

A tiger-cub is a tiger-cub, a kid is a kid.

This proverb is used to describe the inherent nature, lineage, or capabilities of a person. It suggests that one's true character or potential is determined by their origin and cannot be changed, emphasizing that a strong person will remain strong and a weak person will remain weak regardless of the circumstances.

Cat after kind.

The time the daughter-in-law arrived, the time the young bulls arrived.

This proverb is used to comment on coincidences, specifically when a new arrival in a family (like a daughter-in-law) is blamed or credited for significant events (like the birth of livestock or changes in fortune) that happen shortly after. It highlights how people often link luck or misfortune to a person's entry into the household.

When she went in a rush, she gave birth to a girl child.

This proverb is used to mock someone who acts with extreme impatience or haste, only to end up with a result that is either ordinary or contrary to their expectations. It highlights that rushing doesn't guarantee a superior or desired outcome.

Like an egg heckling the young bird.

A young, inexperienced man ridiculing an elder one. It is better to learn to respect the elderly and experienced people, and, if possible, learn from their expertise gained over many years.