ఏనుగుకు ఎలక్కాయలు లొటలొట

enuguku elakkayalu lotalota

Translation

Wood apples are mere hollow rattles for an elephant.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where something provided is completely insufficient or insignificant compared to the recipient's massive capacity or hunger. Just as a wood apple is a tiny snack that makes a hollow sound in an elephant's large mouth without satisfying it, a small contribution to a massive project or a tiny portion of food to a very hungry person is described using this phrase.

Related Phrases

A Tambaḷi prates, but does not listen to what others say.

This expression is used to describe a person who is quick to criticize others for their flaws or annoying habits while being completely oblivious to the fact that they possess the exact same faults. It highlights self-centeredness and a lack of self-awareness.

The priest knows only his own chatter, but not the chatter of others.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is so engrossed in their own problems, talk, or selfishness that they fail to recognize or empathize with the struggles and perspectives of others. It highlights self-centered behavior where one expects others to listen or understand but offers no reciprocity.

To the one who can swallow the whole temple, the flagstaff is just a small snack.

This proverb is used to describe a person who commits large-scale scams or massive thefts. For such an audacious criminal, stealing something small or minor is effortless and insignificant. It highlights how someone capable of huge corruption will not hesitate or struggle with smaller illicit acts.

Showy on the outside, hollow on the inside

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that looks grand, beautiful, or impressive externally but is actually empty, worthless, or deficient internally. It is similar to the English expression 'All that glitters is not gold' or 'A fair face and a foul heart'.

Like showing teats to an elephant.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers something insignificantly small or inadequate to someone with vast needs or great capacity. Just as an elephant requires a massive amount of food to be satisfied, showing it small teats (symbolizing a tiny portion) is useless and mocking.

Cakes are trifles to a man that swallows doors.

This proverb describes a person who has committed major crimes or handled massive tasks, for whom a minor misdeed or a small job is insignificant. It is used to point out that someone capable of great harm or huge undertakings won't hesitate or struggle with something much smaller.

A wood apple is very small in an elephant's throat. A very easy matter.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a resource or quantity is completely inadequate for someone's huge appetite or vast requirements. Just as a small wood apple is insignificantly small for a giant elephant, it refers to something being 'like a drop in the ocean' or vanishing instantly without satisfying the need.

Does depth matter to someone who knows how to swim?

This proverb is used to convey that when someone possesses the necessary skills or expertise to handle a task, the difficulty or scale of the challenge does not intimidate them. Expertise eliminates fear and makes complex problems seem manageable.

Shiny on the outside, hollow on the inside

This expression is used to describe something or someone that looks very attractive, impressive, or high-quality on the outside but is empty, flawed, or useless on the inside. It is often used to criticize superficiality or deceptive appearances.

Hollow on the inside, shining on the outside

Used to describe a situation or a person who appears grand, wealthy, or impressive on the outside but is actually empty, poor, or lacking substance internally. It is often applied to people who maintain a fake status despite having no resources.