వన్నె చీర కట్టుకొన్న సంభ్రమమేగాని, వెర్రికుక్క కరిచినది ఎరుగదు.
vanne chira kattukonna sambhramamegani, verrikukka karichinadi erugadu.
She was thinking so much of the coloured cloth she had put on, that she did not know that she had been bitten by a mad dog. Engrossed in pleasure, and blind to danger.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is so preoccupied with superficial appearances or momentary excitement that they ignore a serious, underlying danger. It is used to criticize people who focus on trivialities while neglecting grave risks or consequences.
Related Phrases
మారుచీర లేక మేలుచీర కట్టుకొన్నట్లు
maruchira leka meluchira kattukonnatlu
Like wearing a high-end saree because one does not have a spare change of clothes.
This expression describes a situation where someone is forced to use an expensive or precious resource for a mundane task simply because they lack a basic or ordinary alternative. It highlights a lack of preparedness or the irony of using something luxury out of necessity rather than choice.
అరిచే కుక్క కరవదు
ariche kukka karavadu
A barking dog never bites. Great barkers are nae biters. (Scotch.) A barking cur does not bite. (Italian.)
This proverb is used to describe people who make loud threats or talk aggressively but rarely take any real action. It suggests that those who boast or bluster the most are often the least dangerous.
కన్నామేగాని, కడుపులో పెట్టుకొని ఉంటామా?
kannamegani, kadupulo pettukoni untama?
We gave birth, but can we keep them inside the womb forever?
This proverb is used to express that parents, although they love their children deeply, must eventually let them go and allow them to lead their own lives. It is often used in the context of a daughter getting married and leaving her parental home, implying that one cannot hold onto their children indefinitely out of affection.
కర్రికుక్క కపిలగోవు అవునా?
karrikukka kapilagovu avuna?
Will a black bitch become a Kapila cow ? The Kapila is a tawny cow worshipped by the Hindus.
This proverb is used to emphasize that a person's inherent nature, character, or fundamental qualities cannot be changed by superficial means or simply by wishing for it. It suggests that something of low quality or ill-natured character cannot transform into something noble and sacred.
రోలు కరువు ఎరుగదు
rolu karuvu erugadu
The rice mortar feels not the famine.
This proverb is used to describe something that remains busy or functional regardless of the external situation. Just as a mortar is used to grind grain even during a famine (to process whatever little food is available), certain people or systems continue their routine or extraction despite the hardships around them.
Some grain or other is always pounded in it. Said of a person who is exempted by his position from the loss which falls upon others, or of one who escapes a general misfortune.
ఆకలి రుచి ఎరుగదు, నిద్ర సుఖమెరుగదు, వలపు సిగ్గు ఎరుగదు
akali ruchi erugadu, nidra sukhamerugadu, valapu siggu erugadu
Hunger knows not taste, sleep knows not comfort, lust knows not shame.
This proverb highlights how basic human instincts and intense emotions override physical circumstances or social norms. When one is starving, the quality of food doesn't matter; when one is exhausted, the comfort of the bed is irrelevant; and when one is in love, they disregard social embarrassment or shyness.
Hunger is the best sauce.
అరిచే కుక్క కరవదు
ariche kukka karavadu
A barking dog does not bite
This proverb is used to describe people who make a lot of noise, threats, or boasts but rarely take any actual action. It implies that those who are truly dangerous or effective do not need to shout about it, and those who shout are often harmless.
కొన్న కాంతలు వన్నె చీరలు దైవలోకమగునా
konna kantalu vanne chiralu daivalokamaguna
Will purchased women and colorful sarees make it a divine world?
This proverb suggests that artificial beauty or temporary pleasures (represented by bought company and fancy clothing) cannot provide true spiritual happiness or create a heavenly atmosphere. It highlights that substance, virtue, and genuine relationships are more important than materialistic displays.
అరిచే కుక్క కరవదు
ariche kukka karavadu
A barking dog doesn't bite
This proverb is used to describe people who make a lot of noise, threats, or boasts but rarely take any action or cause actual harm. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'Barking dogs seldom bite'.
చూచినది పాము, కరిచినది మామిడి టెంక.
chuchinadi pamu, karichinadi mamidi tenka.
What he saw was a snake, that which bit him was a mango stone. After seeing the snake, he had trodden on a split mango stone which nipped his toe. Flabbergasted with fright.
This expression is used to describe situations where a person mistakenly attributes an event or injury to a false cause due to fear or paranoia. It refers to someone who sees a snake, gets startled, and then feels a sharp pain caused by stepping on a mango seed, wrongly concluding that the snake bit them. It highlights how fear can distort one's perception of reality.