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.
Related Phrases
బలిస్తే గోకి చంపుతారు, చిక్కితే నాకి చంపుతారు
baliste goki champutaru, chikkite naki champutaru
If you are fat, they kill you by scratching; if you are thin, they kill you by licking.
This expression refers to people who are never satisfied and will find a way to exploit or bother you regardless of your status or condition. It is often used to describe toxic environments or manipulative individuals who harass others whether they are doing well (prosperous/fat) or struggling (weak/thin).
తాగబోతే మజ్జిగ లేదు అంటే, పెరుగుకు చీటి వ్రాయమన్నట్టు.
tagabote majjiga ledu ante, peruguku chiti vrayamannattu.
After being refused butter-milk, when he went himself, he ordered his servant to write for curds. After being refused a trifling request, to demand authoritatively some- thing much greater.
This proverb describes a person who makes unrealistic or extravagant demands when even the basic requirements cannot be met. It is used to mock someone's lack of common sense or their inability to understand the gravity of a scarcity, similar to the expression 'let them eat cake.'
మంచం అల్లలేని మగవాడు, మజ్జిగ చిలకలేని ఆడది
mancham allaleni magavadu, majjiga chilakaleni adadi
A man who cannot weave a cot, and a woman who cannot churn buttermilk
This expression is used to describe individuals who lack the basic, essential skills expected of them in a traditional household. It highlights incompetence in fundamental duties: a man failing at manual labor/repairs and a woman failing at core domestic tasks.
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.
కడివెడు పాలకు ఒక మజ్జిగబొట్టు
kadivedu palaku oka majjigabottu
A single drop of buttermilk for a pot full of milk
This proverb refers to how a small negative influence or a tiny mistake can transform or ruin something large and pure. Just as a drop of buttermilk curdles an entire pot of milk, one bad person can influence a group, or one small error can change the entire outcome of a situation.
మరిచిపోయి మారుబొట్టు పెట్టి మజ్జిగ పోసినట్లు
marichipoyi marubottu petti majjiga posinatlu
Like forgetting a second serving of food and offering buttermilk instead.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs actions out of order or forgets a crucial step, leading to an awkward or incomplete result. In a traditional meal, buttermilk is served last; offering it before the main second course (marubottu) signifies a lapse in sequence or social etiquette.
మజ్జిగకు మజ్జిగ, ఆశకు ఆశ
majjigaku majjiga, ashaku asha
A fly to a fly. ( Hind. )
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to benefit from both sides or keep something for themselves while pretending to share. It signifies a person's dual nature of being stingy while acting as if they are fulfilling a duty or being generous.
ఇంటిపేరు క్షీరసాగరం వారు, ఇంట్లో మజ్జిగచుక్కకు గతిలేదు
intiperu kshirasagaram varu, intlo majjigachukkaku gatiledu
Their family name is 'Ocean of Milk', but there isn't a drop of buttermilk in the house.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has a very grand or pretentious title, name, or reputation, but lacks even the most basic necessities or resources in reality. It highlights the stark contrast between outward appearances and the actual humble or poor state of affairs.
మంది ఎక్కువయితే మజ్జిగ పలచన
mandi ekkuvayite majjiga palachana
If there are more people, the buttermilk will be thinner. i. e. more water will be added.
This expression describes a situation where too many people being involved in a task leads to a decline in quality, or when resources are spread too thin to be effective. It is similar to the English proverb 'Too many cooks spoil the broth'.
నేను పోతే మజ్జిగ నీళ్ళకు దోవలేదుగాని, నాపేర చీటిపోతే పెరుగు పంపుతారు అన్నాడట.
nenu pote majjiga nillaku dovaledugani, napera chitipote perugu pamputaru annadata.
If I go in person, I won't even get buttermilk water, but if a letter goes in my name, they will send curd, he said.
This expression refers to people who live in a state of delusion or false pride, believing their name or reputation carries more weight than their physical presence. It is used to mock someone who thinks they are highly influential or respected despite being treated poorly or ignored in reality. It highlights the irony of someone expecting a grand reception based on a 'request letter' when they cannot even secure basic hospitality in person.