కత్తేస్తావా, బద్దేస్తావా అన్నట్లు
kattestava, baddestava annatlu
Like asking, 'Will you take the scissors or the stick?'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is forced to choose between two equally difficult or unpleasant options, or when someone is being interrogated/threatened with no easy way out. It implies a 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' scenario where both outcomes are undesirable.
Related Phrases
గంత కట్టేదా బసవన్నా అంటే ఉహూ అని, గుగ్గిళ్ళు తింటావా అంటే ఆహా అన్నదట
ganta katteda basavanna ante uhu ani, guggillu tintava ante aha annadata
When asked 'Shall I tie a blindfold, Basavanna?', he said 'No', but when asked 'Will you eat boiled grains?', he said 'Yes'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who avoids hard work or responsibility but is the first one to show up for benefits or food. It highlights opportunism and laziness.
ఒంటి ఎద్దు దాసుడా వలపల ఉంటావా, దాపల ఉంటవా అన్నట్లు
onti eddu dasuda valapala untava, dapala untava annatlu
Like asking a servant with a single ox, 'Will you stay on the right side or the left side?'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is offered a false choice or a choice that makes no difference. Since there is only one ox, it must occupy the central position in the yoke regardless; asking whether it should be on the left or right is redundant and meaningless. It highlights unnecessary questioning or offering options when there is actually no alternative.
నమ్మితి రామన్నా అంటే, నా అంతవాణ్ని చేస్తానన్నట్టు.
nammiti ramanna ante, na antavanni chestanannattu.
When a man expressed his trust in Râmanna, the latter promised to make him as great a man as himself. Râmanna was really a beggar though pretending to be a great man.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's trust or reliance on another person results in them being dragged down to that person's level of misfortune or mediocrity. It warns about trusting people who are in a bad state themselves, as they might end up making your situation as bad as theirs.
నేలమీద వ్రాసిన బూరెను ఇంత తింటావా, అంత తింటావా అన్నట్లు
nelamida vrasina burenu inta tintava, anta tintava annatlu
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.
తాటికాయ తింటావా, తలకొట్లు పడతావా?
tatikaya tintava, talakotlu padatava?
Will you eat the palm fruit, or will you endure blows to the head?
This expression refers to a situation where one has to face extreme hardship or endure significant struggle to achieve a small or simple pleasure. It is used when the cost or effort required for a result is disproportionately high or painful.
బతికి ఉంటే గరిటెడు పాలు ఇవ్వడు గానీ, చస్తే సమాధిపై ఆవును కట్టేస్తా అన్నట్లు
batiki unte garitedu palu ivvadu gani, chaste samadhipai avunu kattesta annatlu
He wouldn't give a spoonful of milk while alive, but says he will tie a cow to the grave after death.
This proverb describes hypocrisy or fake devotion. It is used to mock people who neglect someone's basic needs when they are alive but pretend to honor them with grand, useless gestures after they pass away. It highlights the irony of showing 'generosity' when it no longer benefits the recipient.
ఏకాదశి బ్రాహ్మణుడా అంటే, కాలే కొరివి యెగసన తోస్తావా అన్నాడట—ద్వాదశి బ్రాహ్మణుడా అంటే, ఆపదలు కాపురం చేస్తావా అన్నాడట.
ekadashi brahmanuda ante, kale korivi yegasana tostava annadata—dvadashi brahmanuda ante, apadalu kapuram chestava annadata.
"Is it the fast O Brahman?" [asked one] "Will you stir up the fire?" [replied the Brahman already irritated by fasting]. "Is it the festival?" [said the first]. "Do troubles last for ever?" [answered the Brahman, de- lighted at the prospect of being fed.] Welcome and unwelcome intelligence.
This proverb describes people who are overly superstitious or pedantic about words, interpreting even neutral addresses as bad omens. 'Ekadasi' is associated with fasting (hunger/burning), and 'Dwadasi' is associated with breaking the fast (often linked to various rituals). It is used to mock those who find negative hidden meanings in harmless greetings or titles, or those who are perpetually cranky and reactionary regardless of how they are addressed.
ఉలవలు తింటావా బసవన్నా అంటే ఊ అన్నట్లు
ulavalu tintava basavanna ante u annatlu
Like asking Basavanna if he wants to eat horse gram and him nodding 'yes'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is overly eager or gives an immediate, enthusiastic consent to something that is clearly to their benefit. It refers to the bull (Basavanna) who never says no to its favorite food, implying a predictable and self-serving 'yes' without any hesitation.
ఏట్లో వంకాయలు కాస్తాయా అంటే, కాస్తాయి అన్నట్టు.
etlo vankayalu kastaya ante, kastayi annattu.
Like saying "yes" when asked whether brinjals grow in the river. A time server.
This expression is used to describe a person who agrees with everything someone says, even if it is logically impossible or absurd, usually to avoid conflict, please someone, or out of pure sycophancy. It highlights a lack of independent thinking or honesty.
నమ్మితి రామన్నా అంటే నా అంతవాణ్ని చేస్తానన్నట్లు.
nammiti ramanna ante na antavanni chestanannatlu.
When I said 'I trust you, Ramanna', it's like you tried to make me just like yourself.
This expression is used when someone exploits or betrays the trust of a person who relied on them for help, often by dragging the victim down to their own miserable level or situation instead of uplifting them. It describes a situation where seeking assistance results in being burdened with the helper's own problems.