మందూ లేదు గుండూ లేదు, తుపాకీ పట్టి కాల్చుము అన్నట్టు
mandu ledu gundu ledu, tupaki patti kalchumu annattu
Like saying " Take the gun and shoot" when there is no powder and no ball.
This expression describes a situation where someone is asked to perform a task or achieve a result without being provided with the necessary tools, resources, or basic requirements. It highlights the absurdity of expecting an outcome when the fundamental means to achieve it are missing.
Related Phrases
మనిషి కాటుకు మందు లేదు.
manishi katuku mandu ledu.
There is no medicine for the bite of a man. The bite of an enraged man is said to be fatally poisonous.
This proverb refers to the malicious nature of human behavior, specifically betrayal, gossip, or cruelty. While there are remedies for snake bites or animal wounds, the damage caused by a person's words or actions can be irreparable and impossible to heal with physical medicine.
కాకికి కంకెడు లేదు, పెట్టకు పిడికెడు లేదు
kakiki kankedu ledu, pettaku pidikedu ledu
Not even a grain stalk for the crow, not even a handful for the hen.
This expression describes an extremely stingy person or a situation of absolute scarcity where someone refuses to help others, even in the smallest way. It highlights a lack of generosity even towards those who need very little.
తిట్టి చచ్చినవాడూ లేడు, దీవించి బ్రతికినవాడూ లేడు.
titti chachchinavadu ledu, divinchi bratikinavadu ledu.
No man has ever died from cursing, or lived from blessing. No one dies of threats. ( Dutch. )
This proverb is used to suggest that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not determine a person's fate or lifespan. It emphasizes that one should not take curses to heart or rely solely on blessings, but rather focus on reality and one's own actions.
* Van dreigen sterft man neit.
అన్నీ తెలిసినవాడూ లేడు, ఏమీ తెలియనివాడూ లేడు.
anni telisinavadu ledu, emi teliyanivadu ledu.
There is no one who knows everything, there is no one who knows nothing.
This expression emphasizes humility and the vastness of knowledge. It suggests that no single person is an absolute expert in every field, nor is anyone completely devoid of any knowledge or skills. It is used to remind people that everyone has something to learn and everyone has something to offer.
తాడూ లేదు, బొంగరం లేదు
tadu ledu, bongaram ledu
Neither a string nor a top.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks any ties, responsibilities, or assets. It often refers to a person who is roaming aimlessly without any sense of direction or accountability, or to a situation that is completely disorganized and lacks a proper basis.
తాడూ లేదు, బొంగరమూ లేదు
tadu ledu, bongaramu ledu
Neither a string nor a top
This expression is used to describe a person who is irresponsible, lacks roots, or has no attachments or accountability. Just as a spinning top cannot be controlled or operated without a string, it refers to someone who is wandering aimlessly or a situation that has no proper foundation or control.
తెడ్డు ఉండగా చెయ్యి కాల్చుకున్నట్టు
teddu undaga cheyyi kalchukunnattu
Burning his hand when he had a ladle. To stir the rice with.
This proverb describes a situation where someone suffers or makes a mistake despite having the necessary tools or resources to avoid it. It is used to point out foolishness or the failure to utilize available help, similar to the English concept of 'making things harder for oneself'.
కప్పకాటు లేదు, బాపన పోటు లేదు
kappakatu ledu, bapana potu ledu
Neither the bite of a frog, nor the blow of a Brahmin.
This expression is used to describe something that is completely harmless or insignificant. Since frogs do not bite and Brahmins (traditionally viewed as non-violent scholars) do not strike, the phrase suggests that there is no danger or impact to worry about from a particular source or situation.
మనోవ్యాధికి మందు లేదు.
manovyadhiki mandu ledu.
There is no medicine for mental affliction. Gold is no balm to a wounded spirit.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a problem is caused by one's own thoughts, anxieties, or psychological state rather than a physical ailment. It implies that if someone is suffering due to their own mindset or imaginary fears, no external medicine can cure them; only a change in their own thinking can help.
రండ తుపాకి కాలిస్తే గుండు గాలికిపోయిందట
randa tupaki kaliste gundu galikipoyindata
When a widow fired the gun, the bullet supposedly flew away into the wind.
This is a sarcastic expression used to dismiss someone's failure by blaming their inherent bad luck or incompetence. It suggests that when an unskilled or 'unlucky' person attempts something, even if they do the action correctly, the outcome will inevitably be a failure due to external factors or fate. It is often used to mock excuses made for poor performance.