అమ్మదగ్గర కింద పడుకున్నా ఒకటే, అబ్బదగ్గర నేల పడుకున్నా ఒకటే.
ammadaggara kinda padukunna okate, abbadaggara nela padukunna okate.
It is all one whether [the child] sleep on the ground with its mother, or on the floor with its father.
This proverb describes a situation where there is no real choice because all available options lead to the same result. It is used when someone is presented with alternatives that offer no actual difference in benefit or quality, implying that the outcome remains equally poor or unchanged regardless of the path chosen.
Equally bad. Where bad is the best, naught must be the choice. Whatever way you take there is a league of bad road. (Spanish.)*
Related Phrases
రోగము ఒకటి, మందు ఒకటి
rogamu okati, mandu okati
The disease is one, the medicine is another. i. e. the one is not fitted to remove the other. Said of unsuitable remedies.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the solution provided does not match the problem at hand, or when actions taken are completely irrelevant to the actual issue. It highlights a lack of coordination or understanding in addressing a specific challenge.
ఏనుగు పడుకొన్నా గుట్టంత ఎత్తు
enugu padukonna guttanta ettu
An elephant is as high as a hill even when it is lying down.
This proverb is used to describe a person of great stature, wealth, or influence. It suggests that even when such a person is at their lowest point or in a period of decline, they are still superior or more powerful than ordinary people. It emphasizes inherent greatness that doesn't disappear completely during tough times.
గుడ్డి కన్ను మూసినా ఒకటే తెరిచినా ఒకటే
guddi kannu musina okate terichina okate
It matters not whether the blind eye is open or shut. A useless man's absence is as good as his presence.
This proverb is used to describe a situation or action that yields no benefit or makes no difference regardless of the effort or choice made. It refers to something that is fundamentally useless or redundant, where the outcome remains unchanged by any change in state.
కట్టుకున్న వాడి మీదకంటే పెట్టుకున్న వాడి మీదనే ప్రేమ
kattukunna vadi midakante pettukunna vadi midane prema
There is more love for the one who provides ornaments than for the one who provides the wedding knot.
This proverb is used to criticize people who value material wealth, gifts, or superficial displays of affection over the person who actually provides stability, commitment, and true companionship (like a husband). It highlights human greed or the tendency to favor those who offer temporary luxuries over those who fulfill lifelong responsibilities.
వంటఇంట కుందేలు కుంపటి దగ్గర కోడి
vantainta kundelu kumpati daggara kodi
A rabbit in the kitchen and a hen by the stove.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy, unproductive, or avoids work by spending all their time in comfortable, warm places like the kitchen. It refers to someone who is always found near food or warmth instead of being out and working.
ఒక కంచాన తిని ఒక మంచాన పడుకునేవారు
oka kanchana tini oka manchana padukunevaru
They eat of one dish and sleep on one bed.
This expression describes people who share an extremely close, intimate, and inseparable bond or friendship. It is often used to highlight the deep camaraderie and mutual trust between individuals who do everything together.
Extreme intimacy. They are hand and glove.
వెన్న దగ్గర ఉంచుకొని నేతికి తడుముకున్నట్లు
venna daggara unchukoni netiki tadumukunnatlu
Looking for ghi when you have got butter.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone searches for something they already possess or have easy access to. It highlights the foolishness of overlooking immediate resources while seeking their processed or final forms elsewhere.
Asking others to help you when you have all in your own power.
పాము చిన్నదైనా ఒకటే, పెద్దదైనా ఒకటే
pamu chinnadaina okate, peddadaina okate
A snake is the same whether small or big.
This expression is used to signify that danger or an enemy should not be underestimated based on size or scale. Just as a small snake's venom can be as lethal as a large one's, a problem or opponent remains dangerous regardless of their stature.
ఏనుగు పడుకున్నా గుర్రమంత ఎత్తు
enugu padukunna gurramanta ettu
Even when the elephant lies down he is as high as the horse.
This expression is used to describe a person of great stature, wealth, or talent who remains superior or significant even during their lowest points or downfall. It suggests that a person's inherent greatness or previous high status still commands respect and is incomparable to the peak level of an ordinary person.
A man much superior to another.
అక్కడ పడుకున్నా ఒకటే, అయ్యవారి దగ్గర నేల మీద పడుకున్నా ఒకటే!
akkada padukunna okate, ayyavari daggara nela mida padukunna okate!
It's the same whether you sleep there or on the floor near the teacher!
This expression is used to describe a situation where one has no choice or where all available options lead to the same uncomfortable or mediocre outcome. It signifies that regardless of the path taken, the result remains equally unsatisfactory or unchanged.