గాడిద గంపెడు ఊక తిన్నది అన్నట్లు

gadida gampedu uka tinnadi annatlu

Translation

Like saying a donkey ate a basketful of husk.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task that is completely useless, unproductive, or yields no benefit despite significant effort. Just as husk has no nutritional value for a donkey, the action described is a waste of time and energy.

Related Phrases

If you eat the root [of garlick] there is a smell, if you eat a clove of it there is a smell. Whether you do a little evil or much, it is alike bad.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person faces the same consequence or reputation regardless of the magnitude of their actions. It is often applied to bad habits or wrongdoings, implying that even a small mistake carries the same stigma or negative outcome as a larger one.

* El rio pasado, el santo olvido. † Passato il punto, gabbato il santo.

An ass is an ass, a horse is a horse.

This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have inherent qualities that cannot be equated. It highlights that no matter how much one tries to compare two things of different nature or caliber, they will always remain distinct in their value or utility. It is often used to remind someone that a lesser person or object cannot replace a superior one.

When asked what she ate with, she replied she ate with hunger.

This expression highlights that hunger is the best sauce. It implies that when someone is genuinely hungry, the specific side dishes or quality of food do not matter as much as the satisfaction of eating. It is used to describe a situation where necessity or intense desire makes even the simplest thing seem wonderful.

Like saying that a donkey has eaten a basketful of husk. Nothing wonderful.

This expression is used to describe someone who has done a lot of work or exerted significant effort, but for a result that is completely useless or worthless. It highlights the futility of an action where the quantity of effort does not match the quality of the outcome.

A basketful of needles tied together.

This expression is used to describe a group of people who are extremely difficult to manage or control, even when united. It suggests that just like a bundle of needles is prickly and hard to handle without getting hurt, a group of sharp-tongued or troublesome individuals remains a nuisance regardless of how they are organized.

A donkey's row. A noisy brawl. Nothing passes between asses but kicks. (Italian.)

This expression is used to describe a loud, chaotic, and senseless noise or a situation of utter confusion. It is often used to dismiss someone's shouting or an unorganized gathering as annoying and meaningless, much like the braying of a donkey.

The braying donkey came and spoiled the grazing donkey's business. When the one that was outside brayed, the other that was inside answer- ed and was consequently discovered and driven out of the field.

This proverb is used when a person who is idle or doing something useless interrupts and spoils the productive work of someone else. It highlights how a troublemaker can distract or ruin the focus of a person engaged in a helpful activity.

Ashes are the remedy for a deep ulcer. Severe measures must be used with the incorrigible. Desperate ills require desperate remedies. (French.)

This proverb means that simple or insignificant problems require simple solutions, or that a cheap/worthless remedy is sufficient for a lowly subject. It is often used to suggest that one shouldn't waste expensive resources or high-quality efforts on something that doesn't deserve it.

The child is a handful, but the hunchback is a basketful.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person's defects, faults, or problems are much larger than the person themselves. It is often applied to small individuals who have surprisingly large issues or when a minor task comes with a disproportionately large burden of complications.

Like eating a basketful while putting up with a foul smell.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone endures something highly unpleasant or shameful just to satisfy their greed or achieve a selfish gain. It highlights the irony of tolerating something disgusting for the sake of material benefit.