అన్నము లేకపోతే వరి అన్నము, బట్ట లేకపోతే పట్టుబట్ట.
annamu lekapote vari annamu, batta lekapote pattubatta.
If you have no common food, [give me] the best; if you have no common cloth, [give me] a silk one.
This is a sarcastic expression used to describe someone who, when they lack basic necessities, demands or expects high-end luxuries instead of seeking practical alternatives. It highlights the irony of having extravagant tastes or unrealistic expectations while being in a state of poverty or deprivation.
Said by an impertinent beggar when refused assistance by a stingy person.
Related Phrases
కోడి కూయకపోతే తెల్లవారదా?
kodi kuyakapote tellavarada?
Will the sun not rise if the rooster does not crow?
This proverb is used to humble someone who thinks they are indispensable. It suggests that the world will continue to function and progress even without a specific person's involvement or presence. It highlights that natural laws and necessary events are not dependent on any single individual.
మొగుడు లేకపోతే అప్ప మొగుడు, కూర లేకపోతే పప్పకూర.
mogudu lekapote appa mogudu, kura lekapote pappakura.
If a husband is not there, then the elder sister's husband; if a curry is not there, then dal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone settles for a substitute or an alternative when the original or preferred choice is unavailable. It highlights the human tendency to find a replacement, sometimes even an inappropriate or simplified one, just to fill a void.
మోహము లేకపోతే, మోదము లేదు.
mohamu lekapote, modamu ledu.
Where there is no love, there is no delight.
This proverb explains that without passion, attachment, or desire (Mohamu) for something, one cannot experience true happiness or delight (Modamu) in achieving or having it. It highlights that interest is the prerequisite for enjoyment.
పెద్దతల లేకపోతే పొట్టేలు తలన్నా తెచ్చిపెట్టుకోమన్నారు
peddatala lekapote pottelu talanna techchipettukomannaru
If a wise elder's head is not available, at least bring the head of a ram.
This proverb emphasizes the necessity of having an elder or a leader figure in a household or group to maintain order and provide guidance. It suggests that even if a truly wise person is unavailable, one should at least have someone who can command authority or act as a figurehead to prevent chaos.
ఎవ్వడూ లేకపోతే అక్క మొగుడే దిక్కు
evvadu lekapote akka mogude dikku
If no one is available, the elder sister's husband is the only resort.
This proverb describes a situation where one settles for a less-than-ideal or makeshift option because there are no other alternatives available. It is often used to comment on choosing someone or something as a last resort when the primary or better options are missing.
ప్రారబ్ధం బాగా లేకపోతే పై బట్టే పామై కరుస్తుంది.
prarabdham baga lekapote pai batte pamai karustundi.
If destiny is unfavorable, even the garment on your body will turn into a snake and bite you.
This proverb describes the height of misfortune. It implies that when a person is going through a period of extreme bad luck or ill-fate, even the most harmless and trusted things around them will turn hostile and cause them harm. It is used to express that no amount of precaution can save someone if their time is bad.
అయితే ఆతుకూరు లేకపోతే పోలేపల్లి
ayite atukuru lekapote polepalli
Either Atukuru or Polepalli.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely stubborn, rigid, or lives in extremes. It refers to someone who lacks flexibility and will only consider two specific, often distant or binary options, with no middle ground or compromise in between.
ఉంటే లిక్కి, లేకపోతే కొడవలి
unte likki, lekapote kodavali
If it exists, it is a small weeding tool; if not, it is a sickle.
This expression describes the behavior of people who are inconsistent or opportunistic in their relationships. It refers to someone who treats you as a useful friend (small tool) when they need something, but acts sharp or hostile (sickle) when they don't, or someone whose stance changes drastically based on availability and convenience.
అన్నం లేకపోయినా పట్టుబట్ట
annam lekapoyina pattubatta
Silk clothes even if there is no food
This expression is used to describe a person who prioritizes vanity, status, or external appearance over basic necessities and practical needs. It highlights a scenario where someone spends money on luxuries to look rich or sophisticated while struggling to afford essential items like food.
చింత లేదు, చింత లేకపోతే పులుసు లేదు.
chinta ledu, chinta lekapote pulusu ledu.
"No matter" said one, "Then if there's no tamarind, there's no acid" said the other. There is here a pun upon the word Chinta which means both "thought, sorrow" and also "tamarinds."
This is a pun on the Telugu word 'Chinta' which means both 'worry' and 'tamarind'. It is used humorously to describe a situation where someone says they have no worries, but in reality, they are missing a basic necessity or the very thing that gives life flavor. It highlights that being completely free of 'concerns' might sometimes mean lacking something essential.