వాదులేక వల్లూరికి పోతున్నాను ఇరుగుపొరుగు నా సవతుల్లారా ఇల్లు భద్రం అన్నదట
vaduleka valluriki potunnanu iruguporugu na savatullara illu bhadram annadata
I am going to Valluru because there is no dispute; O neighborly co-wives, please take care of my house, she said.
This proverb describes a person who displays false confidence or ironic trust in their enemies or rivals. It is used to mock someone who entrusts their precious belongings or secrets to people who actually wish them harm (like co-wives in a traditional context), or someone who tries to sound superior while being in a vulnerable position.
Related Phrases
ఇంటికన్నా గుడి భద్రము.
intikanna gudi bhadramu.
A temple is safer than the house.
Sometimes, one’s place of work or stay elsewhere is better than living in one’s own house, especially when domestic harmony is absent.
ముందు ముల్లు తొక్కి వెనుక భద్రం అన్నట్లు
mundu mullu tokki venuka bhadram annatlu
Stepping on a thorn first and then saying 'safety behind'
This expression is used to describe someone who acts recklessly or makes a mistake first, and only tries to be cautious or offers advice on safety after the damage is already done. It highlights the irony of being careful too late.
ఇరుగు ఇంగలం పొరుగు మంగలం
irugu ingalam porugu mangalam
The neighbors are fire and the surroundings are soot (or bad omens).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is surrounded by difficult or troublesome neighbors on all sides. It implies that no matter which way you turn, there is conflict or negativity, making it impossible to live in peace.
ఇరుగు కాదు, పొరుగు కాదు, పెరుగు పోసిన గురిగె కాదు
irugu kadu, porugu kadu, perugu posina gurige kadu
It is not a neighbor, it is not a surrounding person, and it is not a pot filled with curd.
This is a traditional Telugu riddle or a rhythmic expression used to describe something that seems familiar or close but is actually distinct. It is often used to refer to a mirror or a reflection, where the image looks like someone you know (a neighbor) or is contained in a vessel, but isn't actually that person or object.
పొరుగూరికి పోతే పోతుందా పాపం?
poruguriki pote potunda papam?
Will your sins vanish if you go to a neighboring village?
This proverb emphasizes that one cannot escape the consequences of their actions or their internal guilt simply by changing their location. Physical movement doesn't provide moral absolution. It is used to point out that a person's problems or character flaws follow them wherever they go.
వాదులేక ప్రాణం, దాదిలేక రాణి పోరు.
vaduleka pranam, dadileka rani poru.
A life without an opponent, and a queen without a maid, go to waste.
This proverb highlights that life lacks vitality or challenge without a competitor or an adversary (vadu). Similarly, a queen's status or influence feels diminished if she doesn't have a maid (dadi) to serve or interact with. It is used to express that certain roles or situations require a counterpart to be meaningful or lively.
తాను దొంగైతే, ఇరుగు పొరుగును నమ్మడు.
tanu dongaite, irugu porugunu nammadu.
If one is a thief themselves, they won't trust their neighbors.
This proverb describes a person who, due to their own dishonest nature or bad habits, projects those same qualities onto others. It is used to describe someone who is overly suspicious of others because they know their own faults. It is similar to the English expression 'a thief thinks everyone steals'.
కాశీకి పోయినా సవతిపోరు తప్పదు అన్నట్లు.
kashiki poyina savatiporu tappadu annatlu.
Like saying even if you go to Kashi, the rivalry with a co-wife is unavoidable.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one's problems or deep-seated troubles follow them wherever they go, regardless of how far they travel or what holy places they visit. It signifies that changing one's location does not necessarily result in an escape from personal or domestic conflicts.
ఇరుగును చూచి పొరుగు వాత పెట్టుకున్నట్లు
irugunu chuchi porugu vata pettukunnatlu
Like the neighbor branding themselves after seeing the other neighbor.
This proverb describes the foolishness of blindly imitating others without considering one's own capacity, necessity, or circumstances. It is typically used when someone tries to copy another person's lifestyle or actions out of envy or competition, only to end up hurting themselves.
అత్తా కోడలు అల్లీబిల్లీ, ఇరుగుపొరుగు ఇల్లామల్లి
atta kodalu allibilli, iruguporugu illamalli
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are intertwined, and the neighbors are everywhere.
This expression refers to the intricate and sometimes complicated relationships within a household and with the surrounding community. 'Allibilli' suggests a close or twisted bond between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, while the second part highlights how neighbors are constantly observing or involved in local affairs. It is often used to describe the social dynamics and gossip common in domestic life.