అంబడిపూడి అప్పయ్యదీ బట్టతలే, నా మొగునిదీ బట్టతలే! కానీ, అప్పయ్యది ఐశ్వర్యపు బట్టతల, నా మొగుడిది పేను కొరికిన బట్టతల.
ambadipudi appayyadi battatale, na mogunidi battatale! kani, appayyadi aishvaryapu battatala, na mogudidi penu korikina battatala.
Ambadipudi Appayya has a bald head and my husband has a bald head! But Appayya's is a bald head of prosperity, while my husband's is a bald head caused by lice.
This proverb is used to illustrate how people try to draw superficial comparisons between two things that are fundamentally different in quality or origin. It mocks the tendency to justify one's own poor situation by comparing it to a successful person's situation, ignoring the underlying reality that one signifies success while the other signifies misfortune or neglect.
Related Phrases
బట్టతలమ్మ పాపట తీయమన్నట్లు
battatalamma papata tiyamannatlu
Like asking a bald woman to part her hair.
This expression refers to asking for something that is impossible or demanding something that doesn't exist. It is used to describe a situation where a request is made to someone who lacks the basic resources or capacity to fulfill it, highlighting the absurdity or futility of the demand.
పనీలేదు, పాటా లేదు పట్టత్తా, నీ కాళ్ళకైనా మొక్కుతాను అన్నట్లు
paniledu, pata ledu pattatta, ni kallakaina mokkutanu annatlu
Like saying 'No work, no song, Pattatta, I will even bow to your feet'
This proverb describes a situation where someone is so idle or lacking any productive work that they begin to interfere in others' matters or resort to unnecessary, trivial, or desperate actions just to pass the time. It is used to mock someone who is completely jobless and meddling where they aren't needed.
బట్టా బాతా డవులేకాని, నా బట్ట దగ్గర బొట్టుకూడా లేదన్నట్లు
batta bata davulekani, na batta daggara bottukuda ledannatlu
Everything seems grand and loud, but there isn't even a drop of oil at my cloth (home).
This expression describes a situation where there is a great deal of external show, pomp, or noise, but in reality, there is complete lack of substance or resources. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be wealthy or influential while living in extreme poverty or lacking basic necessities.
వన్నె బట్టలమ్మ వలపుడు కన్న గుడ్డ బట్టలమ్మ కులుకుడే లావు.
vanne battalamma valapudu kanna gudda battalamma kulukude lavu.
The swaying of the woman in rags is more than the charm of the woman in colorful clothes.
This proverb is used to mock people who have little to offer or possess very little, yet display excessive pride, vanity, or arrogance. It highlights the irony of someone with no status or wealth acting more pretentious than those who actually possess them.
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.
తల్లిని బట్టి పిల్ల, విత్తును బట్టి పంట.
tallini batti pilla, vittunu batti panta.
Like mother, like daughter; like seed, like crop.
This proverb emphasizes that character, behavior, and quality are inherited or influenced by origins. Just as the quality of a harvest depends on the quality of the seed sown, a child's traits and upbringing are often a reflection of the mother or the family environment. It is used to describe how someone's nature is a result of their roots.
నిండిన కడుపుకు అన్నం, బట్టతలకు నూనె.
nindina kadupuku annam, battatalaku nune.
Food for a full stomach, oil for a bald head.
This proverb describes things that are redundant, unnecessary, or wasted. Just as offering food to someone who is already full or applying hair oil to a bald head is pointless, it refers to providing help or resources to those who do not need them.
బట్టతలకు పేలు పట్టినట్లు
battatalaku pelu pattinatlu
Like lice infestation on a bald head
This expression is used to describe a situation that is impossible, illogical, or a blatant lie. Just as lice cannot live on a bald head because there is no hair to cling to, the phrase refers to claims or events that lack any basis in reality or common sense.
తల్లిని బట్టి పిల్ల, విత్తును బట్టి పంట.
tallini batti pilla, vittunu batti panta.
Like mother, like child; like seed, like crop.
This proverb emphasizes the influence of origins and upbringing. Just as the quality of a harvest depends on the quality of the seed sown, a child's character and traits are often a reflection of their parents or their environment. It is used to describe how inherent qualities or early influences determine the final outcome.
కోటి మొక్కినా మొగుడి బుద్ది మారలేదట
koti mokkina mogudi buddi maraledata
Even after a crore prayers, the husband's nature did not change.
This proverb is used to describe a person who refuses to change their bad behavior or stubborn character despite numerous efforts, prayers, or warnings. It highlights that certain inherent traits are impossible to alter regardless of external intervention.