ఉడికినా తంతా, ఉడకకపోయినా తంతా అన్నట్లు.
udikina tanta, udakakapoyina tanta annatlu.
Like saying 'I will kick you if it's cooked, and I will kick you if it's not'.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is determined to find fault or be aggressive regardless of the outcome or the effort put in. It is used to characterize people who are impossible to please or those who use any excuse—even contradictory ones—to harass or criticize others.
Related Phrases
ఏనుగు తన నెత్తిన తానే మన్ను పోసుకున్నట్లు
enugu tana nettina tane mannu posukunnatlu
Like an elephant pouring sand on its own head
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone brings trouble upon themselves or ruins their own reputation through their own foolish actions, despite having power or status. Just as an elephant takes a bath and immediately throws dust on itself, it refers to self-destructive behavior.
పైన మంట, కింద మంట, కడుపులో మంట, కాలు నిలిపితే ఖామందు తంట
paina manta, kinda manta, kadupulo manta, kalu nilipite khamandu tanta
Fire above, fire below, fire in the belly, and if the foot stops, the master causes trouble.
This proverb describes the plight of a hardworking laborer or farmer. 'Fire above' refers to the scorching sun, 'fire below' refers to the hot earth, and 'fire in the belly' refers to hunger. It signifies that despite physical suffering and hunger, they cannot stop working because they are afraid of the master's wrath or the loss of their livelihood.
అంతా అయిన తర్వాత రంతుపెట్టుకున్నట్లు
anta ayina tarvata rantupettukunnatlu
Like making a fuss after everything is over.
This expression describes a situation where someone raises objections, starts a quarrel, or demands attention after a task is finished or a decision has already been implemented. It is used to criticize unnecessary complaints that occur too late to make any constructive difference.
పిన్నమ్మ పెట్టకపోయినా, పోయకపోయినా నామీద బలే ప్రాణం
pinnamma pettakapoyina, poyakapoyina namida bale pranam
Even if younger maternal aunt doesn't serve food or water, she has great love for me.
This expression is used to describe someone who talks a lot about their affection or concern for others but never actually does anything helpful. It highlights the hypocrisy of showing superficial love through words while failing to provide basic necessities or tangible support.
కొండంత తన తప్పు గోరంత, గోరంత ఒరుతప్పు కొండంత
kondanta tana tappu goranta, goranta orutappu kondanta
One's own mountain-sized fault is seen as small as a fingernail, while another's fingernail-sized fault is seen as big as a mountain.
This proverb describes the common human tendency to be hypocritical. It refers to someone who minimizes or ignores their own massive mistakes while exaggerating and criticizing the smallest flaws in others. It is used to point out bias, lack of self-reflection, or unfair judgment.
కారం రాస్తే మంట, వెన్న రాస్తే తంట
karam raste manta, venna raste tanta
Applying chili causes burning; applying butter causes trouble.
This expression describes a lose-lose situation or a person who is impossible to please. It refers to a scenario where every solution or action, whether harsh (chili) or soothing (butter), results in a negative outcome or a complaint.
లేవదీయరా తంతాను అన్నాడట
levadiyara tantanu annadata
He said, 'Lift me up, and I will kick you'
This expression describes a person who is ungrateful or arrogant even when they are in a helpless position. It refers to a situation where someone who is down and needs help to get up is still threatening the person helping them. It is used to mock people who show attitude despite their own vulnerability or those who return a favor with harm.
ఉడికిన మెతుకులు తిని, ఉబ్బరపోయినాడు అన్నట్లు
udikina metukulu tini, ubbarapoyinadu annatlu
Like someone who ate cooked rice and became arrogant.
This expression describes a person who becomes overly proud or arrogant after receiving basic necessities or minor successes. It refers to people who forget their humble origins and display unnecessary attitude or ego once their immediate needs are satisfied.
ఉడకకే ఉడకకే ఓ ఉల్లిగడ్డా, నీవెంత ఉడికినా నీ కంపు పోదు
udakake udakake o ulligadda, niventa udikina ni kampu podu
Do not boil, do not boil, O onion; no matter how much you boil, your smell will not go away.
This proverb is used to describe a person with an inherently bad character or deep-seated flaws that cannot be changed regardless of their efforts to appear better or the external transformations they undergo. Just as an onion retains its pungent smell even after cooking, some people's basic nature remains the same.
కులానికి ఇంత అంటే తలా గోరంత అన్నట్లు
kulaniki inta ante tala goranta annatlu
If you give a little to the whole community, each individual gets only a tiny bit like a fingernail.
This proverb is used to describe situations where a resource, when distributed among a very large group of people, results in each person receiving a negligible or insignificant amount. It highlights the dilution of benefits in over-crowded or large-scale distributions.