ఊరినిండా అప్పులు, నోటినిండా పళ్ళు

urininda appulu, notininda pallu

Translation

A village full of debts, a mouth full of teeth.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who is drowning in debt but remains shamelessly cheerful or continues to grin as if nothing is wrong. It mocks the irony of having many liabilities while maintaining a facade of carefree happiness or showing off.

Related Phrases

A mouth full of teeth, a town full of debts.

This proverb is used to describe someone who smiles or talks excessively to hide their financial troubles, or someone who maintains an outward appearance of cheerfulness despite being heavily indebted to many people in the community.

For the woman who doesn't want to work, her hands are always full of work.

This proverb is used to describe people who are lazy or unwilling to work, but constantly complain about having too much to do as an excuse to avoid their responsibilities. It highlights how someone can make themselves appear busy just to escape actual productivity.

Cattle full in the backyard, children full in the house, what else is needed for suffering (congestion).

This proverb is used sarcastically to describe a situation where someone has many assets or family members but lacks the space, resources, or peace of mind to manage them. It highlights that having 'too much' of a good thing can lead to chaos, suffocation, or excessive hardship if not managed properly.

A backyard full of cattle, a house full of children, what else does one need for this world?

This proverb describes the traditional Indian definition of a prosperous and fulfilling life. In an agrarian society, having plenty of livestock (wealth) and many children (family legacy/support) was considered the ultimate form of success and happiness. It is used to express contentment with a simple yet abundant life.

Criticizing others leads to the destruction of the home; criticizing a sage leads to the destruction of the lineage.

This proverb serves as a moral warning against slander. It suggests that speaking ill of others (Paraninda) brings misfortune to one's household, while insulting or criticizing a saintly person or a monk (Yatininda) brings spiritual ruin that can wipe out one's entire family line or reputation.

To those who distribute, the teeth and mouth.

This proverb describes a situation where a person in charge of distributing resources or food manages to take a portion for themselves first, or benefits the most from the distribution process. It is often used to refer to minor perks or 'leakages' that occur when someone handles wealth or goods.

Sandalwood paste all over the body and a mouth full of betel nut.

This expression is used to describe someone who is overly decorated, living in extreme luxury, or showing off their prosperity and well-being. It signifies a state of being perfectly groomed and content, often used to remark on someone's high-status appearance or their indulgence in comforts.

If you eat a bellyful of cakes, [you will get] a bodyful of fever.

This proverb warns about the consequences of overindulgence and greed. It suggests that excessive consumption of heavy or rich food leads to illness and physical suffering. It is used to advise moderation in eating habits and to highlight that momentary pleasure can lead to long-term discomfort.

A hen causes new debts, but its cooked meat clears old debts.

This proverb is used to describe investments or ventures that require upfront borrowing or initial expenditure but eventually yield high enough profits to cover both the new and old debts. It highlights the value of productive assets.

When the false accusation went away, a real accusation came and fell on the head.

This proverb describes a situation where a person, while trying to escape or clear themselves of a false blame or minor problem, gets entangled in a much more serious or direct accusation. It is used when someone's troubles seem never-ending or when a situation shifts from bad to worse.