ఈదబోతే తాగనీళ్ళే లేవు.
idabote taganille levu.
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.
Related Phrases
అమ్మబోతే అడివి, కొనబోతే కొరివి
ammabote adivi, konabote korivi
When he went to sell, his bargains were [as ruinous as] a jungle; when he went to buy [his purchases were as bad as] firebrands. Losing on both sides. Buy and sell and live by the loss.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme market volatility or an unfair economic predicament. It is used when a person finds that their goods have no value when they try to sell them (silent like a forest), but the same goods are exorbitantly expensive when they need to buy them (burns like a firebrand).
తాకబోతే తగులకొన్నట్లు
takabote tagulakonnatlu
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.
చూడబోతే వెండిగిన్నె తాగబోతే వెలితిగిన్నె
chudabote vendiginne tagabote velitiginne
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.
ఒకచేతి వ్రేళ్ళే ఒకటిగా లేవు.
okacheti vrelle okatiga levu.
The fingers of one hand are not the same.
This expression is used to highlight that diversity and differences are natural. Just as the fingers on a single hand differ in size and shape, people—even within the same family or group—will have different talents, temperaments, or opinions. It is often used to counsel patience or to point out that one should not expect uniformity in human nature.
తనదాకా వస్తే తగవే లేదు
tanadaka vaste tagave ledu
If it comes to oneself, there is no dispute at all.
This expression describes a hypocritical situation where a person who usually gives advice or judges others becomes silent or changes their stance when the same problem affects them personally. It is used to point out that people are often indifferent or tolerant of issues until they are personally inconvenienced.
ఈదబోతే తాగ నీళ్లు లేవు
idabote taga nillu levu
When he went to swim, there was not enough water to drink. Disappointed hopes.
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.
* A fonte puro pura default aqua.
పేరు గంగానమ్మ, తాగబోతే నీళ్లు లేవు.
peru ganganamma, tagabote nillu levu.
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.)
ఆడబోతే చూడబుద్ది, చూడబోతే ఆడబుద్ది
adabote chudabuddi, chudabote adabuddi
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.
అప్పను చూడబోతే టెప్పలు పోయినవి.
appanu chudabote teppalu poyinavi.
When I went to see my sister, the floats were lost.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one incurs a significant loss while attempting to gain something small or perform a simple duty. It highlights how someone might lose their basic necessities or resources while pursuing an unnecessary or minor errand.
కథకు కాళ్లు లేవు, ముంతకు చెవులు లేవు
kathaku kallu levu, muntaku chevulu levu
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.