నీకు మూతికి మీసాలుంటే నాకు ముంజేతికి వెంట్రుకలున్నవన్నదట

niku mutiki misalunte naku munjetiki ventrukalunnavannadata

Translation

If you have a mustache on your face, I have hair on my forearm, she said.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to assert superiority or dominance, and the other person responds with an equally boastful or defiant retort. It signifies that one person is not inferior to the other and can match their ego or status with their own. It is often used to highlight stubbornness or a tit-for-tat attitude in an argument.

Related Phrases

Like pulling a hair out of butter

This expression is used to describe a task or process that is performed with extreme ease, smoothness, or without any resistance. It is often used when someone handles a difficult situation effortlessly or when a resolution is reached very cleanly.

Do not walk behind a debtor or someone wearing sandals.

This proverb warns against following people who are in a hurry or in trouble. A debtor is always running away from creditors, and someone with footwear can walk fast or tread on rough ground where you might not be able to keep up. It is used as a metaphor to advise staying away from people who are either fleeing their responsibilities or have an advantage that might lead you into difficult situations.

A woman with plenty of hair can style it in any bun she likes.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has abundant resources, wealth, or talent. Just as a woman with long hair can choose any hairstyle, a person with means can afford to make any choice or take any risk, whereas those without such resources have limited options.

Why does a deceitful widow need bangles for her forearms?

This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or the desire for outward show by someone who lacks the basic character or status to justify it. In a traditional context, it suggests that someone who is dishonest or undeserving shouldn't be concerned with luxury or ornamentation. It is often applied to people who try to act grand while having a questionable reputation.

No way to afford food, but pearls for matchmakers.

This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks basic necessities or is in poverty, yet indulges in extravagant or unnecessary expenses to maintain a false status or vanity. It highlights the irony of poor financial priorities.

When it was said a man has hair on his lip (mustache), a manly woman replied that she has hair on her forearms.

This expression describes a situation where someone tries to outdo or compete with another person's natural traits or achievements in an unnecessary or exaggerated manner. It is used to mock people who are overly competitive or who try to claim superiority by citing trivial or irrelevant comparisons.

A word to you, a bag to me. An influential person can by a word do great things for others.

This proverb is used to describe a transaction or a deal where one party receives credit, fame, or verbal praise while the other party receives the material profit or payment. It highlights a situation where one person gets the glory and the other gets the money.

A woman with plenty of hair can style it into any bun she likes.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person who has the necessary resources, wealth, or power has the freedom to do anything or make any choice. Just as long hair allows for many hairstyles, abundance provides many options.

Like tying a hair to the sky

This expression is used to describe an impossible or extremely difficult task that requires extraordinary precision or is practically unattainable. It often refers to attempting something that has no solid foundation or trying to achieve a goal through highly improbable means.

If the aunt had a mustache, she would be the uncle.

This proverb is used to point out the pointlessness of 'if' and 'but' scenarios that involve impossible conditions. It suggests that speculating about hypothetical changes to fundamental facts is a waste of time and does not change reality.