చా అంటే తూ అనలేడు
cha ante tu analedu
When one says "cha" ( and ), he cannot answer "tu" ( but ).
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely timid, submissive, or lacks the courage to talk back or stand up for themselves. It implies the person is so docile that they cannot even utter a simple syllable in response to a provocation.
Related Phrases
గంత కట్టేదా బసవన్నా అంటే ఉహూ అని, గుగ్గిళ్ళు తింటావా అంటే ఆహా అన్నదట
ganta katteda basavanna ante uhu ani, guggillu tintava ante aha annadata
When asked 'Shall I tie a blindfold, Basavanna?', he said 'No', but when asked 'Will you eat boiled grains?', he said 'Yes'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who avoids hard work or responsibility but is the first one to show up for benefits or food. It highlights opportunism and laziness.
చిల్లి కాదు, తూటు అన్నాట్ట
chilli kadu, tutu annatta
He said it's not a small hole, it's a large hole.
This expression is used to describe someone who tries to sound clever or correct others by using a different word that means exactly the same thing. It highlights a distinction without a difference, mocking someone who argues over trivial terminology or semantics when the end result is identical.
ఆశకు అంతము లేదు.
ashaku antamu ledu.
There is no limit to desire. Much would have more. No one is content with his lot. (Portuguese.)* The more one has the more one wants. (Spanish.)?
This expression is used to describe the insatiable nature of human greed or ambition. It implies that once one desire is fulfilled, another takes its place, suggesting that contentment is difficult to achieve if one keeps chasing endless wants.
మూలము అంటే, నిర్మూలము అంటాడు.
mulamu ante, nirmulamu antadu.
When one said "root" the other said "rot." One attempted to explain, the other pooh poohed him.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely argumentative, contrary, or perverse. When one person suggests a basic starting point or a cause (root), the other person immediately suggests destroying it or going to the opposite extreme just to be difficult.
ఆచారానికి అంతమూ లేదు, అనాచారానికి ఆదీ లేదు
acharaniki antamu ledu, anacharaniki adi ledu
There is no limit to purity, nor any beginning to impurity. Man is sinful from his birth, and never attains to perfect purity.
This proverb highlights that tradition and custom (Achara) can be endlessly elaborate with no final limit, while deviations or lack of tradition (Anachara) have no specific origin or defined structure. It is often used to suggest that one can get lost in the complexities of rituals or that improper conduct has existed forever without a clear starting point.
పారే నీటికి పాచి లేదు
pare nitiki pachi ledu
Running water does not gather moss.
This proverb suggests that as long as something remains active, functional, or in motion, it stays fresh and free from corruption or stagnation. It is used to emphasize that constant work or movement prevents deterioration, much like how flowing water remains clean while stagnant water becomes foul.
'తూ' అంటే, బలా అన్నదంట
tu ante, bala annadanta
If one says 'Thoo' (spit/insult), the other said 'Bala' (excellent/good).
This proverb is used to describe a person who is shameless or lacks self-respect. It refers to someone who takes an insult or a criticism as a compliment, often due to thick-skinned behavior or a refusal to acknowledge their mistakes.
కిం అంటే కం అనలేడు
kim ante kam analedu
When asked " what?" he cannot say " whom ?"
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely ignorant, illiterate, or lacks even the most basic knowledge. It specifically refers to someone who cannot even complete a simple, repetitive sound or rhyme, indicating a total lack of learning or awareness.
He cannot say bo to a goose.
తినలేదు పట్టలేదు బొట్టన్నా పెట్టుకో
tinaledu pattaledu bottanna pettuko
Neither eaten nor caught, at least wear a bindi/dot.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has gained no actual benefit or success from their efforts, but still tries to maintain appearances or asks for a small, superficial token of recognition to save face.
డూడూ బసవన్నా అంటే తలూపినట్లు
dudu basavanna ante talupinatlu
Like the sacred bull (Basavanna) nodding its head when the master says 'Doo Doo'.
This expression refers to a person who blindly agrees with everything someone says without thinking for themselves or showing any individuality. It describes submissiveness or 'yes-man' behavior, similar to how a decorated performing bull nods its head mechanically to its master's commands.