టెంకాయ చెట్టు ఎందుకెక్కావురా అంటే దూడ గడ్డి కోసం అన్నట్టు

tenkaya chettu endukekkavura ante duda gaddi kosam annattu

Translation

When asked why did you climb the coconut tree, he replied 'for calf's grass'

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where someone gives a completely illogical, irrelevant, or foolish excuse for their actions. It is used when someone is caught doing something suspicious or wrong and tries to justify it with an answer that makes no sense, as grass does not grow on top of coconut trees.

Related Phrases

Will wrapping a ritual cloth around a coconut tree stop a thief?

This proverb highlights that mere formalities, rituals, or superficial measures cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from causing harm. It is used to point out that a person's character or a serious security threat won't be changed by symbolic gestures.

Like beating a shaven head with a cocoanut. As used to be done to a Sannyâsi ( religious mendicant ) by his disciples when he was about to die.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely harsh, blunt, or unkind to a vulnerable person. It signifies a lack of empathy or a direct, painful impact on someone who has no protection against the action.

Like breaking a coconut

This expression is used to describe something that is done very clearly, directly, and decisively without any ambiguity. Just as a coconut breaks cleanly into two when hit correctly, it refers to speaking or acting in a straightforward and blunt manner.

Coconut spice/masala for brinjal curry

This expression refers to a perfect combination or an ideal match. Just as coconut masala enhances the taste of brinjal curry, it is used to describe two things or people that complement each other perfectly to produce a great result.

If you ask why the flirtatious acting, it's for the tobacco.

This proverb describes a situation where someone puts on an elaborate act, shows off, or behaves pretentiously just to obtain something very minor or trivial. It is used to criticize people whose dramatic efforts are disproportionate to their small, selfish goals.

Like a man saying, when asked why he was getting up the cocoanut tree, that he wanted grass for his calf. An absurd reason.

This expression is used to describe someone giving a completely illogical, absurd, or irrelevant excuse for their actions. It mocks the act of providing a justification that makes no sense, as grass does not grow on top of coconut trees.

Will a holy cloth tied to a coconut tree stop a thief?

This proverb is used to say that external appearances of piety or ritualistic symbols cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from doing harm. It highlights the futility of using religious or symbolic gestures to solve practical security problems or to change someone's inherent nature.

Like a monkey finding a coconut

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gains possession of something valuable or complex but has no idea how to use, appreciate, or manage it. Just as a monkey cannot crack open a hard coconut to eat the fruit inside, an incompetent or unqualified person cannot benefit from a resource they have acquired.

When the father said, 'You will drown this house, you bad son,' the son replied, 'Why the doubt, father?'

This proverb is used to describe a person who is blatantly and shamelessly destructive or incompetent. It highlights a situation where someone is not only doing something wrong or harmful but is also boastful or overly confident about their ability to cause ruin, showing no remorse or intention to change.

When a thief was asked why he climbed the coconut tree, he said it was for calf grass; when told grass doesn't grow on trees, he said that's why he was coming down.

This expression is used to describe a person who gives a foolish, illogical, or absurd excuse when caught red-handed. It highlights the tendency of people to make up desperate and silly justifications to cover up their mistakes or crimes even when the lie is obvious.