గంజిలోకి ఉప్పు లేకుంటే, పాలలోకి పంచదారట
ganjiloki uppu lekunte, palaloki panchadarata
If there is no salt for the gruel, there is sugar for the milk, it seems.
This proverb describes a situation where basic necessities are lacking, yet there are demands or expectations for luxuries. It is used to mock people who cannot afford the bare minimum but aspire for high-end comforts, or to highlight extreme irony in one's financial or social state.
Related Phrases
ముల్లాలు తిండికి లేక మొత్తుకొంటూ ఉంటే, పీర్లకు పంచదార.
mullalu tindiki leka mottukontu unte, pirlaku panchadara.
While their priests are starving, [the Mussalmans] give sugar [in honor of] their standards. Pirs or Alams are representations of the standards of Ali and Husain set up during the Muharram festival.
This proverb describes a situation where those who are doing the actual work or are in genuine need are neglected, while unnecessary resources are spent on rituals or symbolic objects. It is used to criticize irony in management or charity where the living/deserving are ignored in favor of the inanimate or superficial.
Caring for the dead and neglecting the living.
లాభం గూబలలోకి వచ్చింది
labham gubalaloki vachchindi
The profit has come into the drums of the ears. A dealer in gāi suffering from the ear-ache put a little of it into his ears. This was all his profit. Applied to any unprofitable transaction.
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where an attempt to make a profit or gain an advantage has instead resulted in a heavy loss, physical punishment, or a stinging slap. It implies that the outcome was the opposite of what was desired.
పాలల్లో పంచదార కలిసినట్టు
palallo panchadara kalisinattu
Like sugar dropped into milk.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two things or people blend together perfectly, harmoniously, or indistinguishably. It is often used to describe a great friendship, a perfect match, or a seamless integration of something.
వాడి పని గూట్లోకి వచ్చింది.
vadi pani gutloki vachchindi.
His business has come into the niche.
This expression is used to indicate that someone's time is up, or they have reached the end of their rope. It often implies that someone's mischievous deeds or a specific phase of their life/work is coming to an end, or that they are finally caught or cornered.
He is on his last legs.
లాభం గూబలలోకి వచ్చింది
labham gubalaloki vachchindi
The profit has reached the ear cavities (temples)
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where an attempt to gain a profit or advantage instead results in a painful loss, physical injury, or a slap in the face. It highlights a deal or action that backfired completely.
మేయబోతే ఎద్దులలోకి, దున్నబోతే దూడలలోకి.
meyabote eddulaloki, dunnabote dudalaloki.
Among bulls when it is time to graze, among calves when it is time to plow.
This proverb describes an escapist or lazy person who avoids responsibility by making convenient excuses. When there is work to be done (plowing), they claim to be as inexperienced or weak as a calf. When it is time to enjoy benefits (grazing), they claim to be as mature and deserving as a bull.
గంజిలోకి ఉప్పే లేదు కానీ, పాలల్లోకి పంచదార కావాలన్నట్టు.
ganjiloki uppe ledu kani, palalloki panchadara kavalannattu.
There isn't even salt for the gruel, but they want sugar for the milk.
This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks basic necessities but still makes demands for luxuries or high-end items. It highlights a mismatch between one's actual financial situation and their expensive tastes or unrealistic desires.
గంజిలోకి ఉప్పులేదు మావా అంటే పాలల్లోకి పంచదార తెమ్మన్నాట్టు.
ganjiloki uppuledu mava ante palalloki panchadara temmannattu.
When someone says there is no salt for the gruel, it is like asking them to bring sugar for the milk.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes an even more expensive or demanding request when they are already informed that basic necessities cannot be met. It highlights the lack of common sense or the audacity of asking for luxuries when the bare minimum is unavailable.
పైత్యరోగికి పంచదార చేదు
paityarogiki panchadara chedu
To a person suffering from excess bile, sugar tastes bitter.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's own bias, negative mindset, or illness prevents them from appreciating something good or truthful. Just as a physical illness can distort one's sense of taste, a mental or emotional prejudice can make a person perceive a good thing as bad.
చేతిలోని అన్నం చెరువులోకి విసిరి, చేయినాకి చెరువునీళ్లు తాగినట్లు.
chetiloni annam cheruvuloki visiri, cheyinaki cheruvunillu taginatlu.
Throwing the food from one's hand into the lake, then licking the hand and drinking the lake water.
This expression describes a person who foolishly discards a valuable resource or opportunity already in their possession, only to later struggle and settle for meager leftovers or inferior alternatives. It is used to mock short-sightedness and the lack of appreciation for what one already has.