వాన బడాయి చవిటి మీద, మాల బడాయి పాటి మీద, భర్త బడాయి భార్య మీద.
vana badayi chaviti mida, mala badayi pati mida, bharta badayi bharya mida.
The rain's pride is on the alkaline soil, the laborer's pride is on the village mound, the husband's pride is over his wife.
This proverb describes where certain entities show off their power or influence. Just as rain is most noticeable on barren alkaline soil and a laborer takes pride in their specific dwelling area, a person often displays their dominance or arrogance where they have easy authority, such as a husband over his wife in a traditional domestic context. It is used to mock those who show strength only over the vulnerable or in limited domains.
Related Phrases
ఆశ ఆలి మీద, ఆధారం చాప మీద.
asha ali mida, adharam chapa mida.
His desire is on his wife and his support on his mat. Nothing for it but resignation.
This proverb describes a person who has grand desires or high aspirations but lacks the basic resources or means to fulfill them. It specifically refers to someone who wants to lead a family life or have comforts while living in extreme poverty, where they don't even have a proper bed, only a simple mat.
బందరు బడాయి, గుంటూరు లడాయి
bandaru badayi, gunturu ladayi
Bandar's boastfulness, Guntur's pugnacity
This proverb characterizes the cultural traits traditionally associated with two Andhra cities: Bandar (Machilipatnam) and Guntur. It suggests that people from Bandar are known for their grand talk, style, or vanity (badayi), whereas people from Guntur are known for their hot-tempered, confrontational, or argumentative nature (ladayi). It is used to humorously generalize the temperaments of individuals based on their origin from these regions.
చిత్తం శివుని మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద
chittam shivuni mida, bhakti cheppula mida
The mind is on Lord Shiva, but the devotion is on the sandals.
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be focused on a spiritual or serious task while their actual interest or worry lies elsewhere (usually on materialistic or trivial things). It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of true concentration.
భర్త బడాయి భార్య మీదనే
bharta badayi bharya midane
A husband's boasting is only over his wife
This expression is used to describe someone who acts arrogant or powerful only towards those who are dependent on them or cannot retaliate, while being timid or insignificant in front of others. It highlights selective bravery or false pride shown within the safety of one's home.
వాన బడాయి చవిటిమీద, మొగుడి బడాయి ఆలిమీద
vana badayi chavitimida, mogudi badayi alimida
The rain's boasting is over alkaline soil, and the husband's boasting is over his wife.
This proverb is used to describe someone who shows off their power or authority only over those who are weak or unable to resist. Just as rain makes a big impact on barren alkaline soil (where it serves no productive purpose) but is insignificant elsewhere, some men display their dominance only over their wives because they cannot exert influence in the outside world.
పత్రి దేవుని మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద
patri devuni mida, bhakti cheppula mida
The leaves (offerings) are on the God, but the devotion is on the sandals.
This expression is used to describe a person who is physically performing a task or ritual but is mentally distracted by something else, often material or worldly concerns. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of focus, similar to the English idea of 'going through the motions' while your mind is elsewhere.
కత్తి మీద సాము
katti mida samu
Sword fighting on the edge of a blade
This expression describes a situation that is extremely precarious, delicate, or risky. It is used when a task requires immense skill, balance, or caution because even a small mistake could lead to disastrous consequences. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'walking on a tightrope' or 'walking on eggshells'.
డబ్బులేనివాడి బడాయి చేతగాని బడాయి
dabbulenivadi badayi chetagani badayi
The boasting of a man without money is the boasting of an incompetent man.
This expression is used to mock someone who brags or talks big despite lacking the financial means or the actual capability to back up their claims. It suggests that empty boasting by someone without resources is meaningless and ineffective.
పేరు పల్లకీ మీద, కాలు నేల మీద.
peru pallaki mida, kalu nela mida.
His name is in the palankin, and his legs on the ground. i. e. he once rode, but now walks.
This proverb refers to a situation where someone has a high reputation or social status (palanquin), but their actual living conditions or current situation remain humble or poor (foot on the ground). It is used to describe people who possess a famous name but lack the wealth or facilities to match that status.
ఆశ ఆలి మీద, పడక చాప మీద
asha ali mida, padaka chapa mida
Desire for the wife, but the bed is on a mat.
This expression is used to describe a person who has high desires or grand ambitions but lacks the basic resources or means to fulfill them. It highlights the gap between one's wants and their actual capabilities or reality.