అయితే అతడి ఆలి, కాకపోతే దాసురాలు

ayite atadi ali, kakapote dasuralu

Translation

"If we succeed, she shall be his wife; if not, she shall be a recluse." Said by the parents of a girl, who had set their hearts upon getting her married to a certain man. Either Cæsar or nobody. (Latin.)

Meaning

This expression describes a situation where an outcome results in one of two extremes—either total success or complete subservience/failure. It is used to describe a high-stakes scenario or a person who finds themselves in a position where they must either be the master of a situation or its humble servant, with no middle ground.

Related Phrases

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.

Raising a dog became a danger and a loss to the food pot.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone or something you supported or nurtured turns out to be a source of trouble or waste. It implies that the investment not only failed to provide protection but also resulted in the depletion of one's own resources.

If it happens, it's castor seeds; if not, it's pigeon peas.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is prepared for two possible outcomes, often in farming or business. Castor plants grow in low rainfall, while pigeon peas need more rain. It signifies a win-win strategy or a fallback plan where regardless of the circumstances, there will be some form of harvest or benefit.

Raising a dog became a danger; it ruined all the food pots.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone or something intended for protection or assistance ends up causing more harm than good. It refers to a person who, instead of helping, becomes a burden or causes loss to those who support them.

Either a demoness or a servant girl.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks moderation or a middle ground. It refers to someone who is either extremely aggressive and dominating (like a demoness) or completely submissive and servile (like a servant), switching between these extremes depending on the situation or their mood.

Either Atukuru or Datukuru.

This expression is used to describe an 'all or nothing' situation or a person with extreme, inconsistent behavior. It refers to someone who either stays completely put in one place (Atukuru) or wanders off far away (Datukuru), lacking a middle ground or moderation.

Will a tiger eat grass even if it is hungry?

This proverb is used to describe people of high integrity, status, or specific nature who will never compromise their core principles or dignity, even when facing extreme hardship or desperate situations. Just as a tiger would rather starve than eat grass (which is against its nature), a person of character will not resort to base or unethical actions just to survive.

All stories turned into sorrows, and the households became two.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where attempts to resolve a conflict or manage a complex situation backfire, leading to more grief and causing a permanent split or division (often referring to a family separation). It signifies that instead of a happy ending, the complications led to sorrow and fragmentation.

The capital was lost, but the blanket was the profit.

This proverb describes a situation where a person loses their initial investment or main assets in a venture, only to end up with a trivial or insignificant gain. It is used to mock a failed business or effort where the losses far outweigh the minor incidental benefits remaining.

No matter how great they are, they are slaves to women.

This expression suggests that even the most powerful, wise, or influential men can be swayed or weakened by their desire or love for a woman. It is often used to describe how human emotions and attractions can override logic or status.