అప్పుచేసి పప్పు కూడు తిన్నట్టు

appuchesi pappu kudu tinnattu

Translation

Like borrowing money to eat lentil rice.

Meaning

This expression refers to living beyond one's means or indulging in luxuries using borrowed money. It describes a lifestyle of temporary comfort or status sustained by debt, which is ultimately unsustainable and financially irresponsible.

Related Phrases

Taking a loan to eat lentil rice.

This expression is used to describe a person who lives beyond their means or spends borrowed money on luxuries and comforts instead of being frugal. It highlights the short-sightedness of enjoying life through debt.

Debt is misfortune.

This phrase is used to emphasize that being in debt is a constant source of stress, trouble, and psychological burden. It serves as a warning to avoid taking loans or living beyond one's means.

Debt is the worst poverty.

God knows right and wrong; the Brahman knows Dâl and rice.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is indifferent to moral complexities or the truth of a situation, and is instead solely focused on their own material needs or personal gain. It suggests that while higher matters are left to God, the individual is only concerned with what fills their stomach.

I will eat as much of the rice as my Dâl has been mixed with. Said by the greater of two men who, when travelling together, had mixed their food, the big man having brought dâl and the other rice. Applied to a grasping, selfish man.

This expression is used to describe a person who is purely self-interested or opportunistic. It implies that the individual will remain involved in a situation or relationship only as long as they are gaining a personal benefit or until their specific need is met, after which they will leave without concern for others.

Eating lentil rice by taking a loan.

This proverb describes a person who lives a lavish or comfortable lifestyle beyond their means by borrowing money. It refers to the habit of prioritizing immediate luxury or indulgence without worrying about future debt or financial consequences.

Eating well (enjoying comforts) on borrowed money.

Borrowing used to be viewed as undesirable in the past. People, now under the influence of consumerism, want to live on their future income. It is still wisdom to be neither a borrower nor a lender, in the words of Shakespeare.

One who has committed a mistake and one who has taken a loan cannot show their faces.

This proverb highlights the guilt and shame associated with wrongdoing or being in debt. Just as a person who has committed a crime or mistake avoids eye contact out of guilt, a person who owes money feels a similar sense of inferiority or hesitation to face their creditor. It is used to describe the loss of confidence and social standing that comes with debt or moral failure.

If I could raise a loan, [I should be able to live on ] dâl and rice. An excuse made by a host for treating his guest with poor fare.

This proverb describes a person who lives recklessly beyond their means. It refers to someone who spends borrowed money on luxuries or fine food (represented by 'pappukoodu') without worrying about how they will repay the debt later. It is used to critique poor financial planning and hedonistic behavior.

One who has committed a mistake and one who has taken a debt cannot show their faces.

This proverb highlights the feelings of guilt and shame. Just as a person who owes money avoids the lender out of embarrassment, a person who has done something wrong lacks the courage or confidence to face others directly. It is used to describe the loss of dignity or boldness resulting from wrong actions or financial burdens.

Debts for food and clothing do not remain long unpaid.

This expression highlights that debts taken for basic survival needs like clothing (batta) and food (potta) are transient and must be cleared quickly. It is often used to emphasize that one cannot delay repaying small but essential debts or to point out that basic necessities are the first priorities that get consumed immediately, leaving no long-term asset behind.