ఉడుముల్లో తల, పాముల్లో తోక

This expression is used to describe a person of exceptional beauty or talent who is found in a very poor, dirty, or unfavorable environment. It highlights the striking contrast between someone's inherent quality and their humble or bleak surroundings.

This expression describes someone who is indispensable, highly influential, or deeply integrated into a group. Just as a tongue is essential for speech and a thread holds beads together, it refers to a person who acts as a central, reliable figure or a mediator who maintains unity and functions smoothly within a family or organization.

This is a humorous or sarcastic expression used to refer to something that is endless or unnecessarily long. It is often a playful mistake or a trick question, as the Hindu deity Rama does not have a tail; the expression mocks the confusion between Rama and his devotee Hanuman (who has a long tail) or refers to a task that never seems to conclude.

Used to a blundering reader.

This proverb describes a person who holds a lowly or insignificant position within an elite or superior group, yet is considered highly influential or superior among a lower or less-privileged group. It is used to mock someone's shifting social status or their tendency to act superior only when among their subordinates.

This is an old traditional saying based on physiognomy and social stereotypes. It suggests that individuals who possess physical characteristics uncommon to their community (like a very dark-skinned priest or a very fair-skinned laborer) are deviants from the norm and should be approached with caution or suspicion regarding their character.

This proverb is used to mock someone who tries to sound superior or important in a group where everyone is essentially of the same status or rank. It highlights a false sense of hierarchy or self-importance among equals.

This expression describes a situation where a dangerous or harmful person enters a group of vulnerable, innocent, or unsuspecting people. It is used to signify imminent danger, chaos, or a predator-prey dynamic where the victim has no defense.

* Doppo il radere non ci è più che tosare.

This proverb describes a person who is a misfit or acts hypocritically depending on their surroundings. It refers to someone who pretends to be virtuous or conservative when among the immoral, but acts indecently or irresponsibly when among respectable people. It is often used to critique people who lack consistency in their character and adapt the wrong traits for the wrong environment.

This proverb is a satirical warning against religious hypocrites or fake godmen. It suggests that while the danger of a snake is predictable and can be managed, the deceptive nature and hidden agendas of those pretending to be holy are far more dangerous and difficult to navigate.

This expression is used to describe a person who is exceptionally dangerous, cunning, or toxic even among a group of wicked people. It signifies being the most prominent or harmful element within a negative category.