వంకాయ లేనమ్మ డొంక పట్టుకు వేళ్ళాడిందట
vankaya lenamma donka pattuku velladindata
The woman who had no brinjal clung to the thorny bush.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a huge fuss or puts in excessive, unnecessary effort over something trivial or non-existent. It mocks people who pretend to be busy or create a scene to compensate for their lack of actual results or resources.
Related Phrases
బతకలేనమ్మ నీళ్లు లేని బావిలో నిచ్చెన వేసుకొని దూకిందట
batakalenamma nillu leni bavilo nichchena vesukoni dukindata
A woman who couldn't survive (or didn't want to live) supposedly jumped into a dry well after placing a ladder in it.
This proverb is used to mock people who make a theatrical show of their suffering or pretend to take a drastic step like committing suicide, but take all precautions to ensure they remain safe. It describes someone who is insincere about their intentions or someone who performs 'fake' sacrifices.
కాలు పట్టుకొని లాగితే చూరు పట్టుకుని వేళ్ళాడినట్లు.
kalu pattukoni lagite churu pattukuni velladinatlu.
Like hanging onto the eaves of the roof when someone is pulling your leg.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely stubborn or desperate to stay in a position or situation even when they are being forcefully removed. It is used to mock someone who lacks dignity and clings onto something despite being clearly unwanted or rejected.
కాలు పట్టుకొని లాగితే చూరు పట్టుకొని వేళ్ళాడినట్టు
kalu pattukoni lagite churu pattukoni velladinattu
When someone pulls the leg, hanging onto the eaves of the roof.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely stubborn or desperate to stay in a position or relationship even when they are being forcefully removed or rejected. It signifies a tenacious, often annoying, refusal to let go despite clear opposition.
ఓపలేని ముసలిది దొంగను పట్టుకుని ఏడ్చిందట
opaleni musalidi donganu pattukuni edchindata
An old woman who couldn't cope caught a thief and cried out.
This proverb describes a situation where someone who is already suffering or weak gets into even more trouble by taking on a burden or challenge they cannot handle, and then laments their fate. It is used to mock someone who unnecessarily invites trouble and then complains about the consequences.
వంకాయ కూరకు టెంకాయ మసాలా
vankaya kuraku tenkaya masala
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.
వంగలేనమ్మ వొంక పట్టుకుని ఏడ్చింది
vangalenamma vonka pattukuni edchindi
The woman who couldn't bend cried about a curve (fault) in the ground.
This proverb describes a person who hides their own inability or lack of skill by blaming external circumstances or finding minor faults in the environment. It is used to mock someone who makes excuses for their failures.
అన్నీ పాములు తలకాయ వెళ్లబెట్టితే, ఏలిక పాము గూడ వెళ్లబెట్టిందట
anni pamulu talakaya vellabettite, elika pamu guda vellabettindata
When all the snakes raised their heads, the earthworm also raised its head.
This proverb is used to mock someone who tries to imitate or compete with people of much higher status, capability, or importance, despite lacking the same qualities. It highlights the absurdity of an insignificant person trying to act like a significant one.
బతకలేనమ్మ బావిలో పడి చచ్చిందట
batakalenamma bavilo padi chachchindata
The woman who couldn't live fell into a well and died.
This expression is used to mock someone who makes a dramatic scene or an empty threat out of laziness or a lack of will to face responsibilities. It highlights a situation where someone chooses an easy, albeit extreme, way out rather than putting in the effort to sustain their life or solve their problems.
వంకాయ దొంగిలించినవాడు టెంకాయ దొంగిలించడా?
vankaya dongilinchinavadu tenkaya dongilinchada?
Will a man who steals a brinjal not steal a coconut?
This proverb suggests that a person who commits a small crime or dishonesty is likely to commit a larger one given the opportunity. It emphasizes that a lack of integrity starts small but can escalate, and one's character is judged by even minor actions. It is used to warn people not to trust someone who has a history of even trivial dishonesty.
వంకాయ దొంగిలించినవాడు టెంకాయకు రాడా?
vankaya dongilinchinavadu tenkayaku rada?
Will the person who stole a brinjal not come for a coconut?
This proverb suggests that a person who commits a small crime or dishonesty will eventually move on to bigger ones. It is used to imply that character is defined by the act of stealing itself, not the value of the object stolen. If someone can justify small wrongdoings, they are capable of larger ones as well.