అత్త చేసిన అరాచకాలు కనపడతాయి కానీ, కోడలు చేసే కొంటె పనులు కనపడవు
atta chesina arachakalu kanapadatayi kani, kodalu chese konte panulu kanapadavu
The mother-in-law's atrocities are visible, but the daughter-in-law's mischievous acts remain unseen.
This proverb highlights a common social bias where the mistakes or harsh behavior of an elder or authority figure (the mother-in-law) are easily noticed and criticized, while the subtle provocations or mistakes of the subordinate (the daughter-in-law) are often overlooked or ignored. It is used to describe situations involving one-sided blame or biased perception in domestic or social conflicts.
Related Phrases
అప్పిగా చెప్పులెక్కడరా అంటే ఆకాశాన కనపడలేదన్నాట్ట
appiga cheppulekkadara ante akashana kanapadaledannatta
When asked, 'Appiga, where are your slippers?', he replied, 'They are not visible in the sky'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who gives completely irrelevant or absurd answers to simple questions, often to evade a topic or due to sheer ignorance/absent-mindedness. It mocks someone looking for things in the most unlikely places or diverting a conversation with nonsense.
దెబ్బకు దేవేంద్రలోకం కనిపించడం
debbaku devendralokam kanipinchadam
To see the world of Lord Indra from a single blow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone experiences a sudden, severe shock or a powerful physical blow that leaves them dazed, stunned, or momentarily unconscious. It implies that the impact was so intense that it made them see stars or transported them to another realm (Devendra Lokam/Heaven) due to the intensity of the pain or surprise.
అరుంధతీ గిరుంధతీ కనపడుట లేదు కానీ, ఆరువందల అప్పు మాత్రం కనపడుతున్నది.
arundhati girundhati kanapaduta ledu kani, aruvandala appu matram kanapadutunnadi.
Arundhati star is not visible, but the six hundred debt is certainly visible.
This proverb describes a situation where a person is so overwhelmed by financial burdens or practical troubles that they cannot focus on spiritual or auspicious things. In Telugu weddings, looking at the Arundhati star is a sacred tradition; this saying mocks a person who, instead of focusing on the ritual, is distracted by the debt incurred for the wedding.
అట్టే చూస్తే అయ్యవారు కోతిలా కనపడతాడు
atte chuste ayyavaru kotila kanapadatadu
If you keep staring, the teacher starts looking like a monkey
This expression suggests that over-analyzing or scrutinizing someone (especially an authority figure) for too long will eventually lead to finding flaws or making them look ridiculous. It is used to caution against over-observation or to describe how familiarity can breed contempt/disrespect.
అరుంధతీ కనపడదు, అధ్వాన్నమూ కనపడదు, అరవై వరహాల అప్పు మాత్రము కనపడుతున్నది.
arundhati kanapadadu, adhvannamu kanapadadu, aravai varahala appu matramu kanapadutunnadi.
I can't see the star Arundhati, botheration take it! I can see nothing but a debt of sixty pagodas. Said by a man who had got over head and ears in debt for his marriage, when the priest pointed out the propitious star.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is so overwhelmed by their financial troubles or immediate material problems that they cannot focus on spirituality, beauty, or traditional rituals. 'Arundhati' refers to the star often pointed out during weddings as a symbol of virtue; here, it signifies spiritual or higher pursuits that are ignored due to the crushing weight of debt.
ఆపదలు కాపురాలుండవు
apadalu kapuralundavu
Calamities do not stay forever (do not make a permanent home).
This expression is used to offer comfort and hope during difficult times. It implies that troubles and misfortunes are temporary phases of life and will eventually pass, just as a guest leaves after a stay rather than becoming a permanent resident.
ముఖం చూస్తే కనపడదా మీగాళ్ల వాపు?
mukham chuste kanapadada migalla vapu?
If you look at the face, will not the dropsy in the feet be seen?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person's inner feelings, health, or distress are clearly visible through their external appearance or facial expression. It implies that one doesn't need to look deep to find the problem because the signs are obvious.
The face also shows the swelling. Said of a man whose stupidity is shown in his face. In the forehead and the eye, the lecture of the mind doth lie. The countenance is the index of the mind. (Latin.)*
అప్ప ఆరాటమే గాని బావ బతికే లక్షణం కనపడలేదట
appa aratame gani bava batike lakshanam kanapadaledata
The sister is anxious, but there are no signs of the brother-in-law surviving.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person puts in a lot of effort or shows great concern, but the outcome is destined to fail or the situation is beyond repair. It highlights the futility of effort when the core problem is unsolvable.
కలిగిన నాటి చుట్టాలు, కావాలన్నప్పుడు కనపడరు
kaligina nati chuttalu, kavalannappudu kanapadaru
Relatives from the days of prosperity are not to be found when needed.
This proverb describes 'fair-weather friends' or relatives who stay close only when you are wealthy or successful, but disappear or become unavailable when you fall on hard times or actually need their help.
కాపురం చేసే కళ కాలు తొక్కేటప్పుడే కనిపిస్తుంది
kapuram chese kala kalu tokketappude kanipistundi
The quality of the domestic life is visible right at the moment of the foot-stepping ceremony.
This proverb suggests that the future success or quality of a venture can be predicted by its very first signs or beginnings. In a traditional wedding context, it refers to a ritual where the bride steps on a grindstone, symbolizing her entry into the household; the saying implies that one's character or the outcome of a situation is evident from the start.