కటకటా అనే ఇంటా కట్టబట్టా తినతిండీ ఉండవు.

katakata ane inta kattabatta tinatindi undavu.

Translation

In a house where people constantly cry 'Alas!', there will be no clothes to wear or food to eat.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the negative impact of pessimism and constant complaining. It suggests that a household filled with sorrow, lamentation, or a lack of positivity fails to prosper, leading to poverty and a lack of basic necessities like food and clothing.

Related Phrases

Like lice infesting a bald head.

Used to describe a situation that is logically impossible, highly improbable, or a baseless allegation. Just as lice cannot live on a head without hair, this expression mocks claims or events that lack any foundation or sense.

A mother-in-law is never soft, and a knife is never soft.

This proverb is used to describe relationships or objects that are inherently sharp or harsh by nature. It suggests that just as a knife's purpose is to cut and it cannot be blunt or soft, a mother-in-law (in traditional contexts) is expected to be strict or demanding, and one should not expect otherwise.

After waiting and waiting, if one marries a digger (laborer), there will be head-washings (ceremonial or literal) for every basket carried.

This proverb describes a situation where someone waits a long time to make a choice, only to end up with a difficult or laborious situation. It specifically refers to the disappointment when a long-awaited decision results in unexpected hardships or constant, repetitive struggles.

Like asking if one would eat this much or that much of a sweet (Boore) drawn on the floor.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone offers something that is purely imaginary, non-existent, or impossible to provide. It mocks people who make grand promises or offers that have no basis in reality, similar to offering to share a drawing of food instead of actual food.

When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'

This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.

Food without a side dish is food for dogs

This proverb emphasizes the importance of having a proper curry or accompaniment with a meal. In Telugu culture, eating plain rice without any flavor or side dish is considered poor etiquette or a sign of extreme misery, likened to how an animal might be fed.

You must keep a Nawâyati lad and a bundle of betel leaves wet. Nawâyati is a sect of Muhammadans ( See the " Qanoon-e-Ilam" page 12 et seq. )—Water is thrown on betel leaves by the bazar-men to keep them fresh and to prevent their being blown away.

This proverb suggests that certain things require constant attention or 'lubrication' to function or stay fresh. Just as betel leaves dry up and spoil without water, a 'Navayatee' (referring historically to a specific community or high-maintenance guest) requires constant hospitality, feeding, or bribery to stay satisfied. It is used to describe high-maintenance people or situations that demand continuous upkeep.

If there is rain in the Karkataka month, there will be no famine.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb. Karkataka refers to the Karkataka Masam (July-August) in the lunar calendar. It suggests that if it rains well during this specific period, the crops will thrive, and there will be no shortage of food or drought for the rest of the year.

A silk tassel to a broom.

This expression is used to describe an absurd or mismatched combination where something very beautiful, expensive, or high-quality is wasted on or attached to something lowly, ugly, or insignificant. It highlights the incongruity and pointlessness of such an arrangement.

The grand appearance of a worthless person. A leaden sword in an ivory scabbard.

Wealth does not stay in a house where there is constant complaining or misery.

This proverb suggests that prosperity and fortune avoid homes filled with negativity, sorrow, or a lack of contentment. It emphasizes that a positive and harmonious environment is necessary for wealth and well-being to flourish.