పేరు గంగాభవాని, తాగబోతే నీటిచుక్కలేదు
peru gangabhavani, tagabote nitichukkaledu
The name is Gangabhavani, but there isn't a drop of water to drink.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a huge contrast between a person's grand name or reputation and their actual humble or poor reality. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of resources despite having a fancy title.
Related Phrases
తాగబోతే దప్పికి లేదు, తలకు అటకలి.
tagabote dappiki ledu, talaku atakali.
Not a morsel to eat, but Aṭakali for his head.
This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks the basic necessities for survival (like drinking water) but spends resources or attention on superficial or unnecessary luxuries (like using gruel as a hair conditioner). It is used to mock misplaced priorities or someone who puts on appearances despite being in extreme poverty.
Aṭakali is an expensive preparation used for cleansing the head.
ఈదబోతే తాగనీళ్ళే లేవు.
idabote taganille levu.
When trying to swim, there isn't even enough water to drink.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts a grand or ambitious task but lacks the most basic resources even for survival. It highlights extreme scarcity or being ill-prepared for a large undertaking.
తాగబోతే మజ్జిగ చుక్కకు గతిలేదు, చీటివస్తే పెరుగు పంపుతారన్నట్లు.
tagabote majjiga chukkaku gatiledu, chitivaste perugu pamputarannatlu.
When one goes to drink, there isn't even a drop of buttermilk, but when a note arrives, they say they will send curd.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the basic resources for themselves but makes grand, empty promises to others. It highlights the irony of someone who cannot even afford a basic necessity (buttermilk) pretending to be generous with something more valuable (curd) just to maintain appearances or deceive others.
తాగబోతే దప్పికకు లేదు, తలకు అటకలి.
tagabote dappikaku ledu, talaku atakali.
There is no water to drink for thirst, but starch is applied to the hair.
This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks basic necessities for survival (like drinking water) but indulges in superficial or luxurious displays (like styling hair with starch). It is used to mock someone who maintains an outward show of status while suffering in poverty or lacking essentials.
పేరు గొప్ప, ఊరు దిబ్బ
peru goppa, uru dibba
The name is great, but the village is a mound.
Used to describe a situation where someone or something has a grand reputation or a fancy name, but the actual reality is disappointing, poor, or hollow. It is similar to the English expression 'All that glitters is not gold' or 'Big name, no substance'.
పేరు నేతిబీరకాయ, చీరిచూస్తే నేతిచుక్కలేదు
peru netibirakaya, chirichuste netichukkaledu
The name is Ghee-Gourd, but if you cut it open, there isn't a drop of ghee.
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that has a grand or impressive name but lacks the actual quality or substance implied by that name. It is used to mock pretentiousness, false advertising, or situations where the reality does not live up to the hype.
చూడబోతే వెండిగిన్నె తాగబోతే వెలితిగిన్నె
chudabote vendiginne tagabote velitiginne
If you look at it, it's a silver bowl; if you try to drink from it, it's an empty bowl.
This expression describes something that looks grand, expensive, or promising on the outside but is actually empty, useless, or disappointing upon closer inspection or when put to use. It is used to mock pretentiousness or things that lack substance despite their attractive appearance.
తాగబోతే మజ్జిగ లేదు కానీ, పెరుగుకు చీటి వ్రాయమన్నాడట
tagabote majjiga ledu kani, peruguku chiti vrayamannadata
When told there isn't even buttermilk to drink, he asked for a letter (note) for yogurt.
This proverb is used to mock people who demand luxuries or higher-level items when even basic necessities are unavailable. It describes a situation where someone is disconnected from reality or is being unnecessarily pretentious despite their poor circumstances.
ఈదబోతే తాగ నీళ్లు లేవు
idabote taga nillu levu
When he went to swim, there was not enough water to drink. Disappointed hopes.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone aims for something grand or ambitious but lacks even the most basic necessities. It highlights a stark irony or extreme poverty/scarcity.
* A fonte puro pura default aqua.
పేరు గంగానమ్మ, తాగబోతే నీళ్లు లేవు.
peru ganganamma, tagabote nillu levu.
Your name is mother Gangâ, but when I want a drink I find you have no water.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a huge contrast between one's grand title or reputation and their actual reality or lack of resources. It mocks irony or hypocrisy when someone carries a prestigious name but lacks basic necessities.
Where you think there are flitches of bacon there are not even hooks to hang them on. (Spanish.)