ఉడుత ఊపులకు ఏనుగులు ఊగునా?
uduta upulaku enugulu uguna?
Will elephants sway to the shakes of a squirrel?
This expression is used to describe a situation where a weak or insignificant person's threats or actions have no impact on someone powerful or stable. It implies that trivial attempts to intimidate or influence a strong entity are futile.
Related Phrases
పేరు కమలాక్షి చూపులు కాకిచూపులు
peru kamalakshi chupulu kakichupulu
The name is Kamalaxi (lotus-eyed), but the sight is that of a crow.
This proverb is used to describe a person whose character or actions do not match their beautiful name or outward reputation. It highlights the irony when someone with a noble name behaves in a mean, suspicious, or crooked manner, much like a crow's restless and sharp gaze.
దేవునికి చూపులు, మనకు మేపులు
devuniki chupulu, manaku mepulu
Sight for the God, feeding for us.
This expression refers to the tradition of offering food (Naivedyam) to a deity in a temple. While the God is said to accept the offering merely by looking at it, the humans (devotees or priests) are the ones who actually consume the food. It is used to describe situations where a formal or symbolic gesture is made to a higher authority, while the actual material benefits are enjoyed by the subordinates or common people.
ఉడుత ఊపులకు మాకులు ఊగునా?
uduta upulaku makulu uguna?
Will trees shake because of a squirrel's swaying?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a weak or insignificant person's threats or actions have no effect on a strong or stable entity. It highlights that minor provocations cannot disturb something truly firm and powerful.
ఉడత భక్తి
udata bhakti
A squirrel's devotion
This expression refers to contributing one's small or humble part towards a much larger cause. It originates from the Ramayana, where a squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka by carrying tiny grains of sand. It is used to describe a modest contribution made with sincere dedication.
మాసిన తలకు మల్లెపూల అలంకారమా
masina talaku mallepula alankarama
Jasmine flowers for unwashed hair?
This proverb is used to point out a mismatch between a person's basic condition and their superficial embellishments. It suggests that it is futile or inappropriate to adorn something that is fundamentally dirty or neglected with expensive or beautiful things. It is often used when someone tries to show off with luxuries while lacking basic necessities or hygiene.
తీపుల మాటలకు వీపులు గుంజుతవి.
tipula matalaku vipulu gunjutavi.
Sweet words cause the back to be thrashed.
This proverb warns that sweet talk or flattery can often lead to trouble or physical punishment later. It is used to advise caution when someone is being overly complimentary or deceptive, as their words might lead one into a trap or a situation resulting in severe consequences.
ఉత్తకుండకు ఊపులెక్కువ
uttakundaku upulekkuva
An empty pot shakes (sways) more.
This proverb is used to describe people who have little knowledge or substance but make the most noise or display excessive arrogance. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'Empty vessels make the most noise.' It suggests that those who are truly capable or knowledgeable remain calm and steady, while those lacking substance tend to overcompensate with boastful behavior.
మతిమరుపు వానికి మల్లిరుపు వాడు
matimarupu vaniki mallirupu vadu
For the forgetful man, there is the thorny man.
This proverb describes the interaction between two people with different flaws: one who is extremely forgetful and another who is highly irritable or troublesome. It implies that for every person with a particular weakness, there is someone else who will provoke or challenge that weakness, often leading to a difficult situation.
ఊడ్పులు ఉద్దరకు అవుతాయా?
udpulu uddaraku avutaya?
Will the transplanting of seedlings be done on credit?
This proverb is used to emphasize that certain essential, labor-intensive, or time-sensitive tasks require immediate payment or resources and cannot be deferred or done for free. It specifically refers to agricultural labor (transplanting paddy) where workers must be paid promptly to ensure the work is completed on time.
ఉడుత ఊపులకు కాయలు రాలునా?
uduta upulaku kayalu raluna?
Will fruits fall just because a squirrel shakes the tree?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a weak person's threats or empty actions have no effect on a strong person or a stable situation. It implies that insignificant efforts or petty intimidation cannot bring down something substantial or well-established.