ఊరంతా నాన్నకు వణికితే, నాన్న అమ్మకు వణికినట్టు
uranta nannaku vanikite, nanna ammaku vanikinattu
If the whole village trembles before the father, the father trembles before the mother.
This expression describes a hierarchy of influence or a 'chain of command' where someone who appears powerful or intimidating to the public is actually controlled or intimidated by someone else at home. It is often used humorously to point out that everyone has someone they are afraid of, regardless of their status.
Related Phrases
నమ్మితి రామన్నా అంటే, నా అంతవాణ్ని చేస్తానన్నట్టు.
nammiti ramanna ante, na antavanni chestanannattu.
When a man expressed his trust in Râmanna, the latter promised to make him as great a man as himself. Râmanna was really a beggar though pretending to be a great man.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's trust or reliance on another person results in them being dragged down to that person's level of misfortune or mediocrity. It warns about trusting people who are in a bad state themselves, as they might end up making your situation as bad as theirs.
బాతాకానీ వానికి బారానా, నాకూ బారానానేనా?
batakani vaniki barana, naku barananena?
A 'barana' for the talkative one, and is it a 'barana' for me too?
This expression is used when someone who has worked hard feels insulted or undervalued when they receive the same reward or treatment as someone who did nothing but talk. It highlights the injustice of equal pay or credit for unequal effort.
రామన్నకు భీమన్నకు వరుస కలిసినట్టు
ramannaku bhimannaku varusa kalisinattu
Like the kinship matching between Ramanna and Bhimanna.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a relationship or connection is forced, illogical, or makes no sense. It refers to a scenario where two people or things are linked together despite having no real commonality or legitimate kinship.
అడుక్కుతినే అమ్మకు అరవై ఆరు కూరలైతే, వండుకున్న అమ్మకు ఒకటే కూర.
adukkutine ammaku aravai aru kuralaite, vandukunna ammaku okate kura.
For the mother who begs her food, there are sixty-six curries; for the mother who cooks her own, there is only one curry.
This proverb highlights how some people find it easier to depend on others' resources rather than their own hard work. It illustrates that a beggar receives variety by collecting bits from many houses, while someone who works hard and cooks for themselves might have a simpler but more dignified and certain meal. It is often used to comment on the irony of someone who doesn't work appearing to have more options or variety than a hard worker.
ఊరంతా నాన్నకు లోకువ - నాన్న అమ్మకు లోకువ.
uranta nannaku lokuva - nanna ammaku lokuva.
The whole village is inferior to father - but father is inferior to mother.
This expression is used to describe a person who appears powerful or authoritative to the outside world but is completely dominated or humble at home by their spouse. It highlights the hierarchy of influence and the idea that everyone has someone they answer to, regardless of their status elsewhere.
వంగిన వాని కింద మరీ వంగితే, పట్టెడలు తగులుతాయి.
vangina vani kinda mari vangite, pattedalu tagulutayi.
If you bend even lower under someone who is already bent, your joints will be hit.
This proverb warns against excessive submissiveness or trying to be overly humble with someone who is already yielding. It implies that being too accommodating or sycophantic can lead to unnecessary trouble or physical/metaphorical injury. It is used to advise people to maintain their dignity and boundaries.
ఇస్తానన్న వాణ్ణి, వస్తానన్న దాన్ని నమ్మరాదు
istananna vanni, vastananna danni nammaradu
Do not believe the man who says he will give, nor the woman who says she will come.
This proverb warns against relying on verbal promises or superficial assurances regarding material gain or romantic interest. It suggests that people often make empty promises to please others or to get out of a situation, and one should only believe actions rather than words.
పుట్టిన వానికి తమ్ముడు, పుట్టే వానికి అన్న
puttina vaniki tammudu, putte vaniki anna
The younger brother of him who is born, the elder brother of him who is about to be born. Said jokingly of a dwarf.
This proverb describes someone who is in a middle position or a mediator. It refers to a person who has experienced both sides of a situation, making them versatile or uniquely positioned between two generations or two different states of being.
చచ్చేవాడికి తమ్ముడు, పుట్టేవాడికి అన్న
chachchevadiki tammudu, puttevadiki anna
Younger brother to the one dying, elder brother to the one being born
This expression describes a person who is in a middle-aged or transitional stage of life. It is often used to refer to someone who is neither too young nor too old, bridging the gap between generations, or someone who is an experienced adult who has seen both the end of one era and the start of another.
ఇటు రమ్మంటే ఇల్లంతా నాదే అన్నట్లు
itu rammante illanta nade annatlu
When invited to come inside, claiming the whole house belongs to you.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is given a small favor or a bit of hospitality, but they take undue advantage of it and try to dominate or claim ownership of everything. It is used to criticize people who don't know their boundaries or who exhibit overbearing behavior after receiving a simple courtesy.