ఉన్నది ఒక బిడ్డ, ఊరెల్లా మొగుళ్ళు

unnadi oka bidda, urella mogullu

Translation

There is only one girl, but the whole village claims to be her husband.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where there is a single resource, opportunity, or person, but too many people are trying to claim ownership or control over it. It is often used to highlight chaos, mismanagement, or excessive competition for a limited commodity.

Related Phrases

A strict and overbearing mother-in-law has six husbands.

This proverb is used to mock someone who is extremely authoritarian, overly strict, or bossy towards others, implying that their own character or personal life is ironically chaotic, hypocritical, or improper. It is often used to point out the double standards of those who try to control others while they themselves lack discipline.

He has but one daughter, but the whole village is [ full of ] sons-in-law. i. e. they all wish to marry her.

This proverb describes a situation where there is a very limited resource or a single opportunity, but many claimants or competitors vying for it. It is used to highlight the absurdity or difficulty of managing high demand for something that is in extremely short supply.

A stick is the husband to a sore

This expression refers to a situation where a harsh or severe remedy is required for a difficult problem. Just as a stick causes sharp pain when it touches a wound, a strict or tough person is sometimes needed to manage or control a troublesome individual or situation.

The baby in the pit and the baby in the womb.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is taking care of or worrying about two critical things at once, typically referring to the heavy burden of responsibility or the multitasking required in parenting and household management. It can also imply a state of continuous struggle or being overwhelmed by multiple life demands.

When the husbands of Mopuru people died, the people of Talamanchi broke their wedding threads.

This proverb describes a situation where someone reacts unnecessarily or excessively to a situation that does not involve them or doesn't affect them directly. It is used to mock people who mimic others' grief or actions without any logical reason or personal connection.

A child in arms won't stop crying even if you hit it.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is forced to endure a burden or responsibility they have voluntarily taken up. Once you have committed to helping someone or taking on a task (lifting the child), you must bear the consequences and difficulties (the crying/trouble) that come with it until the end.

There is only one girl, but the whole village claims a maternal relationship (suitability for marriage).

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a very limited resource or a single opportunity, but too many people are competing for it or claiming a right to it. It highlights the disparity between supply and high demand.

Like the only daughter becoming a Basivi (a ritual prostitute/nomadic singer).

This expression is used to describe a situation where the only resource or child available is ruined or rendered useless for the expected purpose. It highlights the tragedy of losing the only hope or support one had to an undesirable path or outcome.

Perhaps a female child, if not, a male child ; if neither this nor that, it is all a lie. Said by an astrologer when consulted regarding a pregnant woman.

This sarcastic proverb is used to mock people who make vague or obvious predictions that cover all possible outcomes to ensure they are never proven wrong. It highlights the absurdity of stating the obvious as if it were a profound revelation or a certain prophecy.

A husband of two wives

This expression refers to a person caught between two conflicting parties or demands, making it impossible to satisfy both. It is often used to describe someone in a dilemma, facing constant complaints or pressure from two different sides simultaneously.