సమయానికి లేనిది చంక నాకనా?
samayaniki lenidi chanka nakana?
If it is not available when needed, should I lick my armpit?
This is a blunt and slightly crude idiomatic expression used to express frustration when a resource, person, or tool is unavailable at the exact moment it is required. It implies that if something doesn't serve its purpose during a crisis or need, it is utterly useless thereafter.
Related Phrases
అన్నమయం ప్రాణమయం
annamayam pranamayam
Sustained by food, dependent on life. Said of the body.
This expression highlights the fundamental importance of food for survival. It conveys that food is the essence of life and that all living beings depend on it to exist. It is often used to remind people of the sacredness of food and the necessity of basic sustenance before pursuing higher spiritual or intellectual goals.
సమయానికి లేనిది చంక నాకనా?
samayaniki lenidi chanka nakana?
Is it for licking the armpit if it is not available when needed?
This is a blunt and colloquial rhetorical question used to express frustration when a resource, tool, or person is unavailable at the exact moment of need. It implies that something is completely useless if it doesn't serve its purpose during a crisis, regardless of its existence otherwise.
సమయానికి లేని బావ చచ్చినా ఒకటి, బతికినా ఒకటి
samayaniki leni bava chachchina okati, batikina okati
A brother-in-law who is not there when needed is the same whether he is dead or alive.
This proverb is used to describe someone who fails to offer help during a critical time or a crisis. It implies that if a person (especially a relative who is expected to support you) is unavailable when most needed, their existence or relationship becomes irrelevant to the sufferer.
నరకానికి నవద్వారాలు, నాకానికి ఒకటే.
narakaniki navadvaralu, nakaniki okate.
Hell has nine gates, but Heaven has only one.
This proverb suggests that there are many ways to fall into vice or make mistakes (symbolized by the nine openings of the human body and worldly distractions), whereas the path to virtue or liberation is singular and requires disciplined focus. It is used to caution someone that it is easy to go astray but difficult to find the right path.
నీ చంక నేమిటోయీ అంటే, నా చంక నాకయ్యా అన్నాడట.
ni chanka nemitoyi ante, na chanka nakayya annadata.
When asked 'What is that in your armpit?', he replied 'It's my armpit, sir'.
This expression describes a situation where someone gives a redundant, evasive, or foolishly obvious answer to avoid revealing what they are hiding. It is used to mock people who try to hide something by stating the obvious or using circular reasoning.
ఏ చంకనాకినా ఏమిలేదుగాని, ఏకుచంకనాకితే ఏగాని ఉంది.
e chankanakina emiledugani, ekuchankanakite egani undi.
No matter which armpit you lick, there is nothing; but if you lick the cotton armpit, there is a small coin.
This is a humorous yet cynical proverb used to describe someone who is extremely stingy, calculating, or desperate for tiny gains. It suggests that even in a situation where there is generally nothing to be found, a person might find a microscopic profit (an 'Egani' or small copper coin) by looking in the most unexpected or lowly places. It is often used to mock people who waste time on trivial, petty gains instead of focusing on significant work.
చవితి చంక నాకినట్టే ఉంది ఏకాదశీ అన్నాడట
chaviti chanka nakinatte undi ekadashi annadata
He said Ekadasi (11th day) feels just like licking Chaviti's (4th day) armpit.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks common sense, experience, or the ability to distinguish between significantly different situations. Both Chaviti and Ekadasi are fasting days in the lunar calendar, but the speaker's comparison is crude and nonsensical, highlighting their ignorance or uncouth nature.
ఇంటివానికి చులకనైతే, బయటవానికీ చులకన, బానిసవానికీ చులకన
intivaniki chulakanaite, bayatavaniki chulakana, banisavaniki chulakana
If one is disrespected by family, they are disrespected by outsiders and even by slaves.
This proverb emphasizes that self-respect and the respect of one's own family are the foundation of social status. If a person is not valued or respected within their own home, outsiders and even those in subordinate positions will naturally lose respect for them. It serves as a reminder to maintain dignity and unity within the household.
వెన్నబడే సమయానికి బాన పగిలినట్టు
vennabade samayaniki bana pagilinattu
Like the pot breaking just when the butter was about to form
This expression is used to describe a situation where a major disaster or failure occurs at the very last moment, just when success or the desired result was within reach. It represents unfortunate timing and the loss of hard work right before it pays off.
సమయానికి లేని బాకా చచ్చిన వెనకటికా?
samayaniki leni baka chachchina venakatika?
Can the horn not [blown] in time, [be sounded] after death? Said by a beggar, who blew his horn when he was being carried away by a tiger, thus scaring the animal and saving his life.
This proverb is used to describe something that is not available when it is actually needed, making it useless later. It highlights that help, resources, or tools lose their value if they are not provided at the critical moment, just as a ceremonial trumpet is useless if it isn't played during the appropriate time of an event.