ఏ చంకనాకినా ఏమిలేదుగాని, ఏకుచంకనాకితే ఏగాని ఉంది.
e chankanakina emiledugani, ekuchankanakite egani undi.
No matter which armpit you lick, there is nothing; but if you lick the cotton armpit, there is a small coin.
This is a humorous yet cynical proverb used to describe someone who is extremely stingy, calculating, or desperate for tiny gains. It suggests that even in a situation where there is generally nothing to be found, a person might find a microscopic profit (an 'Egani' or small copper coin) by looking in the most unexpected or lowly places. It is often used to mock people who waste time on trivial, petty gains instead of focusing on significant work.
Related Phrases
సమయానికి లేనిది చంక నాకనా?
samayaniki lenidi chanka nakana?
Is it for licking the armpit if it is not available when needed?
This is a blunt and colloquial rhetorical question used to express frustration when a resource, tool, or person is unavailable at the exact moment of need. It implies that something is completely useless if it doesn't serve its purpose during a crisis, regardless of its existence otherwise.
స్వాతి సముద్రాన్ని చంకన బెట్టుకొస్తుంది
svati samudranni chankana bettukostundi
Swati carries the ocean under her armpit
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely efficient, resourceful, or capable of achieving seemingly impossible tasks with ease. It highlights extraordinary skill or the power of specific timing (referring to the Swati Nakshatram/star) where a small effort leads to a massive result.
సమయానికి లేనిది చంక నాకనా?
samayaniki lenidi chanka nakana?
If it is not available when needed, should I lick my armpit?
This is a blunt and slightly crude idiomatic expression used to express frustration when a resource, person, or tool is unavailable at the exact moment it is required. It implies that if something doesn't serve its purpose during a crisis or need, it is utterly useless thereafter.
చనవిస్తే, చంకకెక్కినట్లు
chanaviste, chankakekkinatlu
If you give familiarity, they will climb onto your shoulder
This expression is used to describe people who take undue advantage of one's kindness, friendliness, or leniency. It suggests that if you are too approachable or fail to set boundaries, others may become over-familiar or disrespectful, crossing their limits.
అయినది లేదు కానీ, అహంకారం ఎక్కువ.
ayinadi ledu kani, ahankaram ekkuva.
Nothing has been achieved, but the arrogance is immense.
This proverb is used to describe someone who has no significant accomplishments or status but behaves with extreme pride and ego. It is often applied to people who act superior to others without having the merit or success to back it up.
చవితి చంక నాకినట్టే ఉంది ఏకాదశీ అన్నాడట
chaviti chanka nakinatte undi ekadashi annadata
He said Ekadasi (11th day) feels just like licking Chaviti's (4th day) armpit.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks common sense, experience, or the ability to distinguish between significantly different situations. Both Chaviti and Ekadasi are fasting days in the lunar calendar, but the speaker's comparison is crude and nonsensical, highlighting their ignorance or uncouth nature.
పిల్లిని చంకన పెట్టుకుని పెళ్ళికి వెళ్ళినట్టు.
pillini chankana pettukuni pelliki vellinattu.
Like going to a wedding while carrying a cat under one's arm.
This expression describes a situation where someone brings along an unnecessary burden or a nuisance while trying to perform an important task. It refers to people who create their own obstacles or distractions that make a simple or celebratory event difficult for themselves and others.
ఆ వేళకి అడ్డదిడ్డంగా తిరిగితే, సంక్రాంతికి చంకనాకి పోతారు
a velaki addadiddanga tirigite, sankrantiki chankanaki potaru
If you roam around aimlessly at that time, you will end up licking armpits (be ruined) by Sankranti.
This is a sarcastic warning or proverb used to tell someone that if they waste their time and behave recklessly or without discipline now, they will face dire consequences or reach a state of poverty and misery in the near future. It emphasizes that current negligence leads to future failure.
ఏరు ఎడామడా ఉండగనే పంచవిప్పి చంకన పెట్టుకున్నట్టు
eru edamada undagane panchavippi chankana pettukunnattu
Taking off your clothes and tucking them under your arm while the river is still miles away.
This expression is used to describe someone who acts prematurely or prepares excessively early for an event that hasn't happened yet. It highlights the foolishness of taking unnecessary actions or worrying about a future hurdle long before it is actually reached.
చంకలో పిల్లాడు, ఊరంతా వెతుకులాట
chankalo pilladu, uranta vetukulata
Child on the hip, searching all over the village.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is searching for something that they already possess or is right in front of them. It highlights absent-mindedness or overlooking the obvious.