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.
Related Phrases
వీరణం లేనిది కొలువు కాదు, ఊరణం లేనిది బూరె కాదు.
viranam lenidi koluvu kadu, uranam lenidi bure kadu.
A court is not complete without a war-drum, and a sweet bun (boore) is not complete without soaking.
This proverb emphasizes that certain things are incomplete or ineffective without their essential components. Just as a royal assembly lacks dignity without the sound of the veeranam (drum), a traditional sweet like Boore will not be tasty or soft if the batter/filling isn't soaked or fermented properly. It is used to highlight the importance of fundamental requirements for any task or entity to be successful.
నీకు రానిది, నేను విననిది, లోకంలో లేనిదీ చెప్పమన్నట్టు.
niku ranidi, nenu vinanidi, lokamlo lenidi cheppamannattu.
Like asking to tell something you don't know, I haven't heard, and doesn't exist in the world.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is asked to provide an impossible or non-existent explanation, or when someone is making up blatant lies that defy logic and reality. It highlights the absurdity of a request or a statement.
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.
పిల్లలు లేనిది ఇల్లు కాదు, పిట్టలు లేనిది తోపు కాదు
pillalu lenidi illu kadu, pittalu lenidi topu kadu
A house without children is not a home, and a grove without birds is not a grove.
This proverb highlights the essential elements that bring life and joy to a place. Just as birds are vital for the vibrancy and identity of a grove (orchard), children are considered the soul and joy of a household. It is used to emphasize the importance of children in making a home feel complete and lively.
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.
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.
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.
ఆడది లేనిది అడవి, మగవాడు లేనిది మఠము
adadi lenidi adavi, magavadu lenidi mathamu
Without a woman it is a forest; without a man it is a monastery.
This proverb highlights the importance of both genders in maintaining a balanced household. It implies that a home without a woman's presence feels wild and disorganized like a forest, while a home without a man feels lonely or austere like a monastery. It emphasizes domestic completeness through partnership.
నీకు రానిది, నేను విననిది, లోకములో లేనిది చెప్పమన్నట్టు
niku ranidi, nenu vinanidi, lokamulo lenidi cheppamannattu
Like asking to say something you don't know, I haven't heard, and doesn't exist in the world.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is asked to perform an impossible task or provide information that is non-existent. It highlights the absurdity of a request that defies logic or reality, often used when someone makes unreasonable demands or asks for something completely fictional.
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.