ఈదబోతే తాగ నీళ్లు లేవు

idabote taga nillu levu

Translation

When he went to swim, there was not enough water to drink. Disappointed hopes.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone aims for something grand or ambitious but lacks even the most basic necessities. It highlights a stark irony or extreme poverty/scarcity.

Notes

* A fonte puro pura default aqua.

Related Phrases

When trying to swim, there isn't even enough water to drink.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts a grand or ambitious task but lacks the most basic resources even for survival. It highlights extreme scarcity or being ill-prepared for a large undertaking.

The cactus has no fruit and provides no shade to stand under.

This expression is used to describe a person who is completely useless or of no benefit to others. Just as the cactus plant neither offers food (fruit) nor relief from the sun (shade), some people possess neither resources to share nor a helpful nature.

Like getting entangled when just trying to touch.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a simple or casual attempt to involve oneself in something leads to getting unexpectedly stuck, trapped, or deeply entangled in a complicated problem.

If you look at it, it's a silver bowl; if you try to drink from it, it's an empty bowl.

This expression describes something that looks grand, expensive, or promising on the outside but is actually empty, useless, or disappointing upon closer inspection or when put to use. It is used to mock pretentiousness or things that lack substance despite their attractive appearance.

No eyes on the forehead, no teeth in the mouth.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely old or in a state of physical decline. It can also sarcastically refer to someone who is acting helpless or lacks basic common sense and capability.

Your name is mother Gangâ, but when I want a drink I find you have no water.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a huge contrast between one's grand title or reputation and their actual reality or lack of resources. It mocks irony or hypocrisy when someone carries a prestigious name but lacks basic necessities.

Where you think there are flitches of bacon there are not even hooks to hang them on. (Spanish.)

When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.

This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.

There is no one to blame the mother-in-law.

This proverb is used to highlight double standards or hypocrisy in power dynamics. It suggests that when a person in authority (like a mother-in-law) makes a mistake, it is ignored or excused, but when a subordinate (like a daughter-in-law) does the same, it is heavily criticized.

Those who do not have sons have no salvation.

Historically, this proverb reflects an old belief that a son is necessary to perform final rites for parents to attain 'Moksha' (salvation). In a modern context, it is often used to discuss traditional family values or the cultural importance placed on continuing the lineage.

No legs to the tale, no ears to the pot. Said of a story that one cannot make head or tail of. A story without a head. (Greek.)

This proverb is used to describe a story, explanation, or excuse that lacks logic, consistency, or a proper foundation. It refers to something that is nonsensical or a 'cock and bull story' where the details don't add up or have no basis in reality.