కోళ్ళను తింటారా అంటే, బొచ్చు పారేస్తాము అన్నట్లు

kollanu tintara ante, bochchu parestamu annatlu

Translation

When asked if they eat chickens, they replied saying they throw away the feathers.

Meaning

This expression describes a situation where someone gives an evasive or indirect answer to hide an obvious truth. It is used when a person tries to appear innocent or avoids a direct 'yes' by focusing on a trivial secondary detail that implies the 'yes' anyway.

Related Phrases

The single-tusked one (Ganesha) gives you this much hair.

This is a humorous and sarcastic expression used to describe a situation where someone expects a grand reward or divine intervention but receives something trivial, worthless, or disappointing. It is often used to mock someone's meager offerings or the insignificant results of a supposedly great effort.

If you burn hair will it become charcoal ? Vain economy.

This expression is used to describe a futile or impossible task. It implies that certain actions will never yield the desired or expected result because the nature of the material or situation doesn't allow for it. Just as burning hair produces ash and a foul smell rather than useful charcoal, some efforts are simply a waste of time.

Grandfather's bowl [lasting for] generations.

This proverb refers to things that are used for an excessively long time, often passed down through generations. It is used to describe items or systems that are very old, durable, or sometimes outdated, yet still in use.

If you burn hair, will it become charcoal?

This proverb is used to indicate that certain things or people cannot be transformed into something valuable, no matter how much effort is put into changing them. Just as burning hair results in ash and a foul smell rather than useful charcoal, some base natures or useless materials cannot be turned into something productive.

When a ram was sacrificed for the sake of showing off, the whole body ended up covered in hair.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a grand or expensive action just for vanity or to show off, but instead of gaining prestige, they end up with a messy, troublesome, or useless result. It highlights the folly of prioritizing appearances over practical outcomes.

Like going to Benares, and bringing back dog's hair.

This proverb is used to describe someone who goes on a long, arduous journey or undertakes a significant task, only to return with something trivial, worthless, or useless. It highlights the irony of putting in great effort for a meaningless result.

Great labour and small results.

When asked 'How do quarrels start, O holy man?', he replied 'Give me alms, you bald widow!'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone deliberately provokes a conflict or starts an argument unnecessarily. It highlights how a person can turn a peaceful inquiry or a normal interaction into a fight by using offensive language or being intentionally rude.

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.

A bowl from the grandfather's time lasts for generations

This expression refers to things of high quality or value inherited from ancestors that remain durable and useful for a long time. It can also be used sarcastically to describe someone who clings to outdated, old-fashioned possessions or traditions while boasting about their lineage.

Like saying, 'Obi, Obi, you pound the grain, and I will shrug my shoulders.'

This expression is used to describe a person who avoids hard work while pretending to be busy or helpful. It highlights a situation where one person does all the labor while the other merely makes unnecessary gestures or stands by without contributing anything useful.