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.
Related Phrases
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.
దుక్కిటెద్దుకు పంచదార అటుకులు కావాలనా?
dukkitedduku panchadara atukulu kavalana?
Does a ploughing ox want sugar and flattened rice?
This proverb is used to point out that one should be given what is appropriate for their role or situation rather than unnecessary luxuries. A hard-working ox needs fodder and strength, not delicacies. It is often applied to people who demand sophisticated or fancy things that do not suit their current needs or capacity.
పండు జారి పాలల్లో పడ్డట్టు
pandu jari palallo paddattu
The fruit slipped, and fell into the milk.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something good happens unexpectedly or a fortunate event occurs that makes a situation even better. It is similar to the English idiom 'The icing on the cake' or 'A stroke of luck.'
Happy go lucky.
జ్వర జిహ్వకు పంచదార చేదు
jvara jihvaku panchadara chedu
To a feverish tongue, even sugar tastes bitter.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's judgment or perception is clouded by their current negative state or circumstances. Just as a physical illness makes sweet things taste bitter, a person in a bad mood, bias, or difficult situation may find fault or negativity in things that are otherwise good, pleasant, or beneficial.
లాభం గూబలోకి వచ్చినట్టు
labham gubaloki vachchinattu
The profit reached the earlobe.
This expression is used sarcastically to describe a situation where instead of gaining a profit, one ends up suffering a loss or receiving a blow (physically or metaphorically). It is used when an expected benefit turns into a painful consequence or a 'slap in the face'.
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.
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.