maqa qaqlarğa

/maqa qaqlarʁa/

This expression has 2 meanings.

Literal translation

to dry frogs for meat

To live in poverty and want, lacking even everyday necessities.

Ol [Baldan] barıb kirgen üy, ma kesigiz körürsüz, aynımağan, toğaymağan, maqa qaqlağan üy bolluqdu, – dep, qaraçaylı qatınladan biri sözge qoşuldu."The house he [Baldan] has married into — you will see for yourselves — will be a house that never thrives, never has its fill, a house living in poverty," one of the Karachay women put in.

to dry frogs for meat

Said of a newly married couple setting up their own household: to begin married life in want.

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