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.
Related Phrases
తాగటానికి దప్పిక లేదుగాని, గుంటడికి గుండుజోడు
tagataniki dappika ledugani, guntadiki gundujodu
No water to drink for thirst, but the boy wants spectacles.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities but indulges in expensive or unnecessary luxuries. It highlights the irony of someone prioritizing vanity or status symbols over essential needs.
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.
తలకు దారి లేదు, బుడ్డకు అటకలి.
talaku dari ledu, buddaku atakali.
No way for the head, but a headrest for the genitals.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or a proper foundation (the head) but indulges in unnecessary luxuries or shows off with trivial things (the genitals). It mocks someone whose priorities are misplaced or who tries to maintain a facade of comfort despite being in a dire situation.
తాగను గంజి లేదు కానీ, తలకి అటికలట
taganu ganji ledu kani, talaki atikalata
Not even gruel to drink, but asks for flowers/decorations for the head.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or means of survival, yet indulges in unnecessary luxuries or shows off beyond their status. It highlights the irony of being poor but maintaining a false sense of vanity or pride.
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.
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.
దప్పికి నేయి త్రాగినట్లు
dappiki neyi traginatlu
Like drinking ghee to quench thirst.
This expression refers to a remedy that makes the original problem worse. Just as drinking fatty clarified butter (ghee) increases thirst instead of quenching it like water, it describes taking an action that is counterproductive or aggravates a difficult situation.
అత్తకంటే ఆడపాపలేదు, అతగానికంటే జీతగాడు లేడు.
attakante adapapaledu, ataganikante jitagadu ledu.
There is no elder woman above the mother-in-law, and no servant above the husband.
This traditional proverb highlights the hierarchy and roles within an old-fashioned household. It suggests that just as the mother-in-law is the ultimate authority for a daughter-in-law, the husband acts as the primary provider or 'servant' of the family's needs. It is often used to describe domestic dynamics or to point out that everyone has a specific superior or role to fulfill.
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.
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.)