వీధిలో వీరంగం, సంతలో సారంగం
vidhilo virangam, santalo sarangam
Fierce behavior in the street, but melodious like a lute in the market.
This proverb describes a person who displays inconsistent behavior or dual personality depending on the audience. It refers to someone who acts aggressive, noisy, or heroic in one place (where they feel powerful or want to show off) but becomes timid, soft, or submissive in another place (where they are intimidated or need to blend in).
Related Phrases
ఎగువా దాసంగం దిగువా దాసంగం
eguva dasangam diguva dasangam
Upper service and lower service
This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is putting on a show of being extremely busy or performing numerous tasks without actually achieving any meaningful results. It suggests a lack of focus or superficiality, where one is doing everything yet nothing at the same time.
సంతలో సంసారం, సానిదానికి పాతివ్రత్యం
santalo samsaram, sanidaniki pativratyam
Living family life in a marketplace; a prostitute claiming chastity.
This proverb is used to describe highly contradictory or impossible situations. It highlights the hypocrisy of someone claiming to possess a virtue or a lifestyle that is completely inconsistent with their environment or profession. Just as one cannot maintain a private, peaceful family life in the middle of a noisy, public market, it is considered ironic for a sex worker to claim the traditional virtues of a 'pativrata' (a chaste, devoted wife).
ఆకాశవీధిలో కొంగలు, అంగడి వీధిలో దొంగలు
akashavidhilo kongalu, angadi vidhilo dongalu
Cranes in the sky street, thieves in the market street.
This expression is used to describe things that are found in their natural or expected habitat. Just as it is natural to see birds flying in the sky, it is common to find pickpockets or dishonest people in crowded marketplaces. It serves as a reminder to be cautious in specific environments where certain risks are inherent.
తురక వీధిలో సన్న్యాసి భిక్ష
turaka vidhilo sannyasi bhiksha
A Sannyâsi's alms in Mussulman street. Not the place for him to go to.
This proverb describes a futile or misplaced effort. It refers to asking for something in a place where it is impossible or highly unlikely to be found due to fundamental differences in customs or beliefs. It is used when someone seeks help or resources from an incompatible source.
నంగనాచి చీర నడివీధిలో ఊడిందట.
nanganachi chira nadividhilo udindata.
The hypocrite's saree supposedly fell off in the middle of the street.
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be extremely modest, virtuous, or innocent (a 'Nanganachi'), but whose true character or secrets are eventually exposed in a public and embarrassing way. It highlights that hypocrisy cannot be hidden forever.
నమ్మి నడివీధిలో వేసిన వారెవరు?
nammi nadividhilo vesina varevaru?
Who is it that trusted and ended up being thrown into the middle of the street?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who placed their complete trust in another person or system ends up being betrayed, abandoned, or left helpless. It highlights the vulnerability of blind faith and the harsh consequences of broken trust.
కొలిమి వీధిలో సూదులమ్మినట్లు
kolimi vidhilo sudulamminatlu
Like trying to sell needles in the blacksmiths' street.
This proverb describes a redundant or futile effort where someone tries to sell something to an expert or a producer who already has an abundance of it. It is used to mock people who try to show off their minor skills or knowledge to true masters of that field.
కమ్మర వీధిలో సూదులు అమ్మినట్టు
kammara vidhilo sudulu amminattu
Like selling needles in the blacksmiths' street.
This expression is used to describe a redundant or futile action where someone tries to sell or explain something to experts who already possess superior knowledge or resources in that specific field. It is similar to the English idiom 'carrying coals to Newcastle'.
To carry coals to Newcastle.
ఇంట్లో పోరు వీధిలో జోరు
intlo poru vidhilo joru
Conflict at home, aggression in the street
This proverb describes a person who faces constant quarrels or domestic strife at home, and as a result, projects an aggressive, loud, or overly energetic persona in public. It is used to point out that someone's outward bravado often stems from a lack of peace in their private life.
వీధిలో ఈరంగం పేటలో పేరంటం
vidhilo irangam petalo perantam
Eerangam in the street and a social gathering in the locality.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is hyperactive, meddling in everyone's business, or trying to be present everywhere at once. It often refers to someone who neglects their own responsibilities at home while staying busy with communal affairs or wandering around aimlessly participating in every local event.