చూడబోతే వెండిగిన్నె తాగబోతే వెలితిగిన్నె
chudabote vendiginne tagabote velitiginne
If you look at it, it's a silver bowl; if you try to drink from it, it's an empty bowl.
This expression describes something that looks grand, expensive, or promising on the outside but is actually empty, useless, or disappointing upon closer inspection or when put to use. It is used to mock pretentiousness or things that lack substance despite their attractive appearance.
Related Phrases
ఈదబోతే తాగనీళ్ళే లేవు.
idabote taganille levu.
When trying to swim, there isn't even enough water to drink.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts a grand or ambitious task but lacks the most basic resources even for survival. It highlights extreme scarcity or being ill-prepared for a large undertaking.
తిట్టబోతే అక్కబిడ్డ, కొట్టబోతే వేకటి మనిషి
tittabote akkabidda, kottabote vekati manishi
If you want to scold, it's your sister's child; if you want to hit, she is a pregnant woman.
This expression describes a dilemma where one is stuck in a 'Catch-22' situation. It refers to a state of indecision or helplessness where you cannot take action against someone because of a sentimental bond or a vulnerable condition, even if their behavior is provoking or wrong.
అమ్మబోతే అడివి, కొనబోతే కొరివి
ammabote adivi, konabote korivi
When he went to sell, his bargains were [as ruinous as] a jungle; when he went to buy [his purchases were as bad as] firebrands. Losing on both sides. Buy and sell and live by the loss.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme market volatility or an unfair economic predicament. It is used when a person finds that their goods have no value when they try to sell them (silent like a forest), but the same goods are exorbitantly expensive when they need to buy them (burns like a firebrand).
తాకబోతే తగులకొన్నట్లు
takabote tagulakonnatlu
Like getting entangled when just trying to touch.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a simple or casual attempt to involve oneself in something leads to getting unexpectedly stuck, trapped, or deeply entangled in a complicated problem.
పేరు గంగాభవాని, తాగబోతే నీటిచుక్కలేదు
peru gangabhavani, tagabote nitichukkaledu
The name is Gangabhavani, but there isn't a drop of water to drink.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a huge contrast between a person's grand name or reputation and their actual humble or poor reality. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of resources despite having a fancy title.
ఈదబోతే తాగ నీళ్లు లేవు
idabote taga nillu levu
When he went to swim, there was not enough water to drink. Disappointed hopes.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone aims for something grand or ambitious but lacks even the most basic necessities. It highlights a stark irony or extreme poverty/scarcity.
* A fonte puro pura default aqua.
పేరు గంగానమ్మ, తాగబోతే నీళ్లు లేవు.
peru ganganamma, tagabote nillu levu.
Your name is mother Gangâ, but when I want a drink I find you have no water.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a huge contrast between one's grand title or reputation and their actual reality or lack of resources. It mocks irony or hypocrisy when someone carries a prestigious name but lacks basic necessities.
Where you think there are flitches of bacon there are not even hooks to hang them on. (Spanish.)
ఆడబోతే చూడబుద్ది, చూడబోతే ఆడబుద్ది
adabote chudabuddi, chudabote adabuddi
When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.
This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.
అప్పను చూడబోతే టెప్పలు పోయినవి.
appanu chudabote teppalu poyinavi.
When I went to see my sister, the floats were lost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one incurs a significant loss while attempting to gain something small or perform a simple duty. It highlights how someone might lose their basic necessities or resources while pursuing an unnecessary or minor errand.
చూడబోతే చుట్టాలు, రమ్మంటే కోపాలు
chudabote chuttalu, rammante kopalu
If you visit them they are relatives, if you invite them to visit you they are angry.
This proverb describes people who claim to be close relatives or friends but avoid any real interaction, responsibility, or visit. It is used to mock hypocritical relationships where people maintain a facade of closeness but become annoyed when actually asked to participate or visit.
* Kleine Feinde und kleine Wunden sind nicht zu verachten. 21 ( 161 )