వండమని అక్క కాళ్ళకు మొక్కవలె, వినుమని బావ కాళ్ళకు మొక్కవలె.
vandamani akka kallaku mokkavale, vinumani bava kallaku mokkavale.
One must bow to the sister's feet to ask her to cook, and bow to the brother-in-law's feet to ask him to listen.
This proverb describes a situation where a person is caught between two difficult or demanding individuals and must constantly humble themselves or flatter both sides just to get basic things done. It signifies the struggle of managing sensitive relationships or dealing with people who expect excessive respect before fulfilling their responsibilities.
Related Phrases
అందరి కాళ్ళకు మొక్కినా అత్తగారింటికి పోక తప్పదు.
andari kallaku mokkina attagarintiki poka tappadu.
Even if you bow down to everyone's feet, you cannot avoid going to your mother-in-law's house.
This proverb is used to convey that one cannot escape their inevitable duties or destiny, no matter how much they try to resist or plead. It highlights that certain responsibilities or transitions in life are unavoidable and must be faced sooner or later.
తనకాళ్ళకు తానే మొక్కుకొన్నట్లు
tanakallaku tane mokkukonnatlu
As if one is bowing down to their own feet.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is extremely conceited, self-admiring, or overly proud of their own actions and intelligence. It highlights the irony of self-veneration or thinking too highly of oneself to the point of absurdity.
బట్టతలకు, మోకాళ్ళకు ముడి వేసినట్టు.
battatalaku, mokallaku mudi vesinattu.
Like trying to tie a knot between a bald head and a knee.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to link two completely unrelated things or logic. It refers to an absurd comparison or an illogical argument where there is no practical connection between the subjects being discussed.
ముండమోపి కాళ్ళకు మొక్కితే, నీవు కూడా నా వలెనే వర్ధిల్లమని దీవించినదట.
mundamopi kallaku mokkite, nivu kuda na valene vardhillamani divinchinadata.
When someone bowed to a widow's feet, she blessed them saying, 'May you flourish just like me.'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone seeks advice, help, or a blessing from an incompetent person or someone in a miserable state, only to receive a 'blessing' that would bring the same misfortune upon them. It highlights the futility of seeking guidance from those who have failed or are in a wretched position themselves.
బట్టతలకూ మోకాళ్లకూ ముడివేసినట్టు
battatalaku mokallaku mudivesinattu
Like tying bald heads and knees in a knot. Said of a very cunning person.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to link two completely unrelated things or logic. It highlights an absurd comparison or a forced connection that makes no sense, as both a bald head and a knee are smooth and impossible to 'tie' together.
చిన్నమూ కావలె, చిదరా కావలె, మేలిమీ కావలె, మెడ తిరగవలె.
chinnamu kavale, chidara kavale, melimi kavale, meda tiragavale.
The ornament must be one Chinnam or less in weight, of pure gold, and must go round the neck. A Chinnam is a weight equal to the ninth part of a pagoda ( No. 614 ). Wishing to get a good thing and to pay little for it.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely greedy and wants everything for themselves. It refers to someone who wants the big profits (pure gold), the small gains (loose change), and also wants to show off their wealth (turning the neck to display heavy jewelry). It is used to mock people who are never satisfied and try to grab every possible benefit in a situation.
బక్కవానికి బలిసినవాడు బావ, బలిసినవాడికి బక్కవాడు బావ
bakkavaniki balisinavadu bava, balisinavadiki bakkavadu bava
To a lean man, a wealthy man is a brother-in-law; to a wealthy man, a lean man is also a brother-in-law.
This proverb highlights the reciprocity and equality inherent in kinship and relationships, regardless of economic status. In Telugu culture, 'Bava' (brother-in-law) denotes a close relative. The saying suggests that blood relations or social bonds remain the same regardless of one person being rich (balisinavadu) and the other being poor (bakkavadu). It is used to emphasize that status shouldn't change how family members treat or address one another.
ధీరుడయినా కావలె, దీనుడయినా కావలె.
dhirudayina kavale, dinudayina kavale.
You must get a hero or a beggar [ for a husband ].
This proverb suggests that in certain situations, success or survival is achieved either through immense courage and strength or through complete humility and submission. It implies that being in an indecisive middle ground is ineffective; one must choose to either fight boldly or appeal for mercy.
బొమ్మకు మొక్కినా నమ్మకం ఉండవలె
bommaku mokkina nammakam undavale
Even if you pray to a doll/statue, there must be faith.
This expression emphasizes that the power of prayer or any action lies in the sincerity and faith of the person performing it, rather than the object of worship itself. It is used to suggest that without true belief, rituals or actions are meaningless.
నిద్రపోయే వాడి కాళ్లకు మొక్కినట్టు
nidrapoye vadi kallaku mokkinattu
Like falling at the feet of a sleeping man. Useless endeavours at a wrong time.
This expression describes a situation where an action is completely futile or pointless because the recipient is unaware or unable to respond. It is used when someone seeks help or expresses gratitude to someone who is indifferent, incapable of understanding, or inattentive, rendering the effort wasted.