ఏనుగుకు సిళ్ళు చూపినట్లు
enuguku sillu chupinatlu
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.
Related Phrases
నీవు పెట్టకపోయినా పెట్టే ఇల్లు చూపించుమన్నట్టు.
nivu pettakapoyina pette illu chupinchumannattu.
Though you don't give alms, point out a house where they do.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is unable or unwilling to help should at least guide the person in need to someone who can. It emphasizes that if you cannot be a benefactor, you should at least not be an obstacle and instead provide helpful information or direction.
అత్తమీద కోపం దుత్తమీద చూపినట్లు
attamida kopam duttamida chupinatlu
Showing anger towards the mother-in-law on the earthen pot.
This proverb describes a situation where someone takes out their frustration or anger on an innocent person or an inanimate object because they cannot confront the actual person who caused the anger. It is used to highlight displaced aggression or venting on a weaker or easier target.
పెరుగుకు పులికడుగుకు పెనగులాట అయినట్లు
peruguku pulikaduguku penagulata ayinatlu
Like a struggle between curd and the water used to wash fermented rice.
This expression describes a situation where two people are arguing or fighting over something extremely trivial, or when a conflict arises between two things that are essentially the same or of very similar nature. It highlights the absurdity of intense disputes over insignificant differences.
పాముకు బదనిక చూపినట్లు
pamuku badanika chupinatlu
Like showing a parasitic plant (Badanika) to a snake.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is instantly terrified or completely subdued by a specific threat or person. In Telugu folklore, it is believed that snakes are extremely fearful of the 'Badanika' (a type of parasitic plant) and become paralyzed or helpless when shown it. It signifies a weakness or a 'kryptonite' that brings an immediate stop to someone's aggressive behavior.
పాముకు బదనిక చూపినట్టు.
pamuku badanika chupinattu.
Like showing Badanika to a snake.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is deeply terrified or rendered powerless by a specific person or object. In Telugu folklore, it is believed that showing a 'Badanika' (a parasitic plant like Mistletoe) to a snake makes it immobile or frightened. It describes an effective deterrent or a person's ultimate weakness.
Badanika is the Loranthus Longiflorus ; the term is also applied gene- rally to all plants of the order. ( W. Elliot. ) It is said to be used as an antidote for snake bites.
అంధునకు అద్దము చూపినట్టు
andhunaku addamu chupinattu
Like giving a blind man a looking glass. A blind man will not thank you for a looking glass.
This proverb describes an exercise in futility or a wasted effort. It refers to providing something valuable or useful to a person who lacks the capacity or knowledge to appreciate or utilize it.
చీమ ఒళ్ళు చీమకు బరువు, ఏనుగు ఒళ్ళు ఏనుగుకు బరువు
chima ollu chimaku baruvu, enugu ollu enuguku baruvu
An ant's body is a burden to the ant, and an elephant's body is a burden to the elephant.
This proverb suggests that everyone has their own set of problems and responsibilities proportional to their status or size. What may seem small to others can be a significant burden to the person experiencing it. It is used to remind people that we shouldn't dismiss others' struggles just because they seem minor compared to ours, as everyone carries their own weight.
ఏడిచే బిడ్డకు అరటిపండు చూపినట్టు
ediche biddaku aratipandu chupinattu
Like shewing a plantain to a crying child.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is temporarily distracted or pacified with a minor gesture or a small bribe to stop them from complaining or demanding something more significant. It refers to a superficial or momentary solution to a problem rather than addressing the root cause.
ఏనుగు బళ్ళు ఏనుగుకు బరువు, చీమ బళ్ళు చీమకు బరువు
enugu ballu enuguku baruvu, chima ballu chimaku baruvu
The elephant's load is heavy for the elephant, the ant's load is heavy for the ant.
This proverb highlights that burden and struggle are relative to one's capacity. What might seem like a small problem to a powerful person can be an overwhelming challenge for someone less resourceful. It teaches empathy and the understanding that everyone faces difficulties proportional to their own strength or status.
గారెలు వండాలె పెళ్ళామా అంటే వేలు చూపినట్లు
garelu vandale pellama ante velu chupinatlu
When asked to cook Vada (Garelu), showing a finger instead.
This expression describes a situation where someone gives a vague, dismissive, or minimal response when asked to perform a significant task. It refers to a person who avoids responsibility or work by making a simple gesture instead of actually putting in the effort required. It is used to mock laziness or unhelpful behavior.