4

In Malayalam/Indian, there's an expression:

Appam thinnal pore, kuzhi ennano!

It literally translates to:

Just eat the appam (Indian pancake). Why count the holes!

It implies that one should just enjoy the final product and need not bother how it originated.

It is usually said by an impatient person when asked too many questions about his product or method.

What could be an equivalent expression in English?

5
  • The ends justify the means?
    – user116295
    Feb 12, 2016 at 7:03
  • @JackGraveney it's not about justifying one's actions.
    – NVZ
    Feb 12, 2016 at 7:05
  • Just eat the chapati and not ask why there so many bumps. Feb 12, 2016 at 9:10
  • “Here. “<hands over some indescribable food stuff> “Don’t ask. Just eat it.”
    – Jim
    Feb 13, 2016 at 5:20
  • I don't understand the idiom! Where are the holes?
    – dwjohnston
    Feb 18, 2016 at 19:02

4 Answers 4

10

Although it emphasizes gifting or offering perhaps more than the idiom about the holey pancake, 'not look a gift horse in the mouth' is very similar both in use and in intent:

if someone tells you not to look a gift horse in the mouth, they mean that you should not criticize or feel doubt about something good that has been offered to you

[look a gift horse in the mouth. (n.d.) Cambridge Idioms Dictionary, 2nd ed.. (2006). Retrieved February 12 2016 from http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/look+a+gift+horse+in+the+mouth Emphasis mine.]

8

Don't ask how the sausage is made.

This phrase stems from the fact that sausage is often made from the less desirable parts of an animal. Even though it may taste delicious, you may not want to think about putting a tube of pig anus in your mouth. Just enjoy the finished product, and don't dwell too much on its origins.

2

Depending on context, consider:

Beggars can't be choosers

Prov. If someone gives you something you asked for, you should not complain about what you get. FOD

Take it or leave it

Inf. Take this one or none; you have no choice FOD

1
  • A bit extreme, but I like it. :)
    – NVZ
    Feb 18, 2016 at 19:53
0

"The ends justify the means." - This is dark, and generally considered negative, but it basically means if the final result is good, it doesn't matter how you got there.

"You can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs." - Again, somewhat negative it tone, but keeps the food reference.

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