నేను ఆకలికాకుండా నీకు మందు చెబుతా, ముందు నాకు కాస్త గంజి నీళ్ళు పోయమన్నట్లు.
nenu akalikakunda niku mandu chebuta, mundu naku kasta ganji nillu poyamannatlu.
Like saying, 'I will tell you a medicine to stop your hunger, but first pour me some congee water.'
This expression is used to describe a hypocritical or ironic situation where a person who claims to have a solution for a problem is suffering from the exact same problem themselves. It highlights the absurdity of seeking or receiving advice from someone who cannot even help themselves.
Related Phrases
ఆకలి కాకుండా నీకు ఔషధము యిస్తాను, నీ యింట్లో చద్ది నాకు పెట్టు అన్నాడట.
akali kakunda niku aushadhamu yistanu, ni yintlo chaddi naku pettu annadata.
I'll give you medicine to keep away hunger, give me your cold breakfast. Said by a quack.
This proverb describes a situation involving a hypocrite or a fraud. It refers to someone who claims to have a solution for a problem they haven't even solved for themselves. It is used to mock people who offer expert advice or 'miracle cures' while clearly suffering from the very issue they claim to fix.
ఉన్న ఒక్క మెతుకు కాస్తా గంజిలో పోయినట్లు
unna okka metuku kasta ganjilo poyinatlu
As if the only grain of rice one had fell into the congee (gruel).
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is already in a precarious or poor state loses the very little they have left. It signifies a stroke of bad luck that worsens an already desperate situation, or a loss that is particularly painful because it was all that remained.
చద్ది నాకు పెట్టమ్మా, ఆకలి కాకుండా నీకు మందిస్తానన్నాడట
chaddi naku pettamma, akali kakunda niku mandistanannadata
Give me the leftovers (old rice) mother, and I will give you a medicine so you never feel hungry again, he said.
This proverb describes a deceptive or hypocritical person who asks for immediate favors while promising something impossible or impractical in return. It highlights the irony of someone who cannot even satisfy their own hunger (asking for food) claiming to have a cure for hunger itself. It is used to mock people who give grand, unrealistic advice or solutions while being unable to manage their own basic needs.
విందూ మందూ మూడు పూటలు.
vindu mandu mudu putalu.
For feasting or for medicine, three times. A man will not be treated as a guest for more than three meals and he is not expected to stay longer.—The effect of medicine should be tried by three doses after which, if it fail, it should be given up.
This proverb suggests that both hospitality (visiting/hosting) and medicinal treatments have a limit to their effectiveness and welcome. Just as one should not overstay their welcome as a guest, one should not overindulge or rely on medicine for too long. It is used to emphasize that some things are only good in moderation and for a short duration.
పండు పడకకు చెప్పకుండా పోయినాడు
pandu padakaku cheppakunda poyinadu
He left without telling the fruit or the bed.
This expression is used to describe someone who leaves a place very suddenly, secretly, or without informing anyone. It implies a quiet or abrupt departure where no one was given notice.
మీకు మాట, నాకు మూట
miku mata, naku muta
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.
అంబలి అంటే ముఖాలే చెబుతాయి
ambali ante mukhale chebutayi
If you say porridge, the faces will tell.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a group of people's reaction or facial expressions reveal their shared disappointment or dissatisfaction without them having to say a word. It specifically refers to how people react when they are offered something poor or mediocre (like plain porridge) instead of a feast.
కూడు వండుట గంజి కొరకా?
kudu vanduta ganji koraka?
Is the rice cooked just for the sake of the starch water?
This proverb is used to point out when someone focuses on a minor byproduct or a trivial secondary outcome while ignoring the main objective. It suggests that one shouldn't perform a major task just for a small, insignificant benefit.
నేను మందు తింటా, నీవు పథ్యం ఉండు అన్నట్లు
nenu mandu tinta, nivu pathyam undu annatlu
Like saying 'I will take the medicine, you follow the dietary restrictions'
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person expects another to bear the burden or follow the rules for a benefit they themselves seek. It highlights the absurdity of expecting results without personal effort or sacrifice, or shifting one's responsibilities onto others.
నాకిన్ని గంజిమెతుకులు పోస్తావా, నీకాకలికాకుండా మందిస్తానన్నాడట
nakinni ganjimetukulu postava, nikakalikakunda mandistanannadata
He asked, 'Will you give me some rice water (ganji)? I will give you a medicine so that you won't feel hungry anymore.'
This proverb describes a situation where a person, instead of helping someone in need, offers a deceptive or ridiculous solution that only benefits themselves. It is used to mock someone who asks for a favor while pretending to offer a 'cure' for the very poverty or hunger they are supposed to be helping with.