ఉలుకున్నమ్మకు అలుకెక్కువ, గూద ఉన్నమ్మకు బాధ ఎక్కువ.
ulukunnammaku alukekkuva, guda unnammaku badha ekkuva.
The woman who gets startled is often sulky, and the woman with a swelling has more pain.
This proverb describes human nature and physical reality. It implies that a person with a guilty conscience or a sensitive nature is easily offended or reactive (sulky), just as a person with a physical ailment (like a boil or swelling) naturally feels more pain. It is often used to describe someone who reacts defensively or takes offense easily because they know they are in the wrong or are overly sensitive.
Related Phrases
చేతగానమ్మకు శౌర్యమెక్కువ
chetaganammaku shauryamekkuva
An incompetent woman has excessive bravery (in words).
This proverb is used to describe people who lack actual skills or the ability to perform a task, but compensate for it by boasting, acting aggressive, or talking big. It is similar to the English expression 'Empty vessels make the most noise.'
తెలివి తక్కువ, ఆకలి ఎక్కువ
telivi takkuva, akali ekkuva
Little sense, great appetite. Eating one's senses away.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks the common sense or skill to earn a living or work efficiently, yet has high demands or appetites. It highlights the irony of someone who cannot contribute much but expects a lot in return.
ఆవాలు తిన్నమ్మకు యావ, ఉలవలు తిన్నమ్మకు ఉలుకు
avalu tinnammaku yava, ulavalu tinnammaku uluku
A woman who eats mustard seeds has desire; a woman who eats horse gram has a startle.
This proverb describes how different habits, foods, or actions produce specific physiological or psychological reactions. It is often used metaphorically to suggest that a person's behavior or guilt is a direct result of their secret actions—specifically, if someone has done something wrong (eaten horse gram which causes gas/discomfort), they will be jumpy or 'startled' when the topic comes up.
తెలివితక్కువ, ఆకలి ఎక్కువ
telivitakkuva, akali ekkuva
Low intelligence, high hunger
This expression is used to mock someone who lacks common sense or intelligence but has a very large appetite or demands a lot of resources. It describes a person who doesn't contribute much intellectually but consumes a lot.
తెలివి తక్కువ, ఆకలెక్కువ.
telivi takkuva, akalekkuva.
Low intelligence, high hunger.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or productivity but has excessive demands or needs. It highlights a mismatch between one's capabilities and their consumption or expectations, often used sarcastically to mock laziness or incompetence combined with greed.
ఉన్న మాటంతె ఉలుకెక్కువ
unna matante ulukekkuva
If truth is said, offence is taken.
People are not ready to accept unpleasant (uncomplimentary) truths about themselves. They instantly become angry. It is always a true friend that tells us our faults and helps us correct our conduct. It is the flatterer who hides the truth and cheats us.
ఉన్నమాట అంటే ఉలుకెక్కువ.
unnamata ante ulukekkuva.
If the truth is spoken, the jumpiness (sensitivity) is greater.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone reacts defensively or gets offended when an unpleasant truth is pointed out. It implies that a person feels guilty or irritated because the statement made about them is actually true.
ఉన్నమ్మ ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె, లేనమ్మా ఉన్నమ్మకే పెట్టె
unnamma unnammake pette, lenamma unnammake pette
The woman who has gives to the woman who has; the woman who has not also gives to the woman who has.
This proverb describes a social irony where resources or gifts tend to flow towards those who are already wealthy or powerful, rather than to those in need. It highlights that everyone seeks to please the rich, while the poor are often ignored or even forced to give up what little they have to those above them.
ఉలవలు తిన్నమ్మకు ఉలుకు, సజ్జలు తిన్నమ్మకు సలుకు.
ulavalu tinnammaku uluku, sajjalu tinnammaku saluku.
The one who ate horse gram startles; the one who ate pearls (millet) remains steady.
This proverb refers to how guilt or hidden secrets affect a person's behavior. Eating horse gram (ulavalu) causes flatulence, making the person jumpy or 'startle' (uluku) in discomfort. In contrast, millet is easier to digest. It is used to describe a situation where a guilty person behaves restlessly or gives themselves away through their nervous reactions, while an innocent person remains calm.
పని తక్కువ, ప్రాకులాట ఎక్కువ
pani takkuva, prakulata ekkuva
Less work, more struggle (fidgeting/hustle)
This proverb is used to describe a person who does very little actual work but makes a huge fuss, creates unnecessary commotion, or tries too hard to appear busy. It characterizes someone who lacks efficiency but excels in pretending to be overwhelmed or ambitious.