అత్త ఒప్పినా దుత్త ఒప్పదు
atta oppina dutta oppadu
Even if the mother-in-law agrees, the pot does not agree.
This proverb is used when a situation is practically impossible even if the person in authority gives permission. It highlights a scenario where a task cannot be completed due to physical constraints or external circumstances, despite having the necessary approval.
Related Phrases
కొత్త ఒక వింత; పాత ఒక రోత
kotta oka vinta; pata oka rota
The new is a wonder, the old detestable.
Generally, people are attracted by the new (especially, fashions in dress and the like) and tend to dislike the old. It is similar to the saying in English: “familiarity breeds contempt.”
తనకు చెప్ప తడికల చాటు, ఒకరికి చెప్ప ఒప్పులకుప్ప
tanaku cheppa tadikala chatu, okariki cheppa oppulakuppa
Hiding behind a fence when told to do it oneself, but acting like a master of virtues when telling others.
This proverb is used to describe a hypocritical person who avoids responsibility or hides when it is their turn to perform a task, yet eagerly gives advice and lectures others on how to do things perfectly. It is similar to the English expression 'Practicing what you preach.'
దూడ కుడిచినట్టా? దుత్తలో పడ్డట్టా?
duda kudichinatta? duttalo paddatta?
Is it that the calf has sucked, or that [ the milk ] has fallen into the pail? In either way beneficial.
This expression is used to question where a resource or money went when there is nothing to show for it. It highlights a situation where something has been consumed or spent, but the result is neither productive (like a calf growing) nor preserved (like milk stored in a pot). It is typically used when someone is unaccountable for losses or missing items.
మంత్రసాని పనికి ఒప్పుకున్నప్పుడు, బిడ్డ వచ్చినా పట్టాలి, ఏమి వచ్చినా పట్టాలి.
mantrasani paniki oppukunnappudu, bidda vachchina pattali, emi vachchina pattali.
When you have accepted the work of a midwife, you must catch the baby or whatever comes out.
This proverb emphasizes professional responsibility and accountability. It means that once you commit to a job or take on a responsibility, you must deal with all the consequences, challenges, and outcomes that come with it, whether they are pleasant or unpleasant.
పాత ఒక రోత, కొత్త ఒక వింత
pata oka rota, kotta oka vinta
The old is a nuisance, the new is a wonder.
This proverb describes the human tendency to quickly get bored with old, familiar things and become easily fascinated by anything new. It is often used to comment on people who abandon traditions or long-term possessions in favor of the latest trends, or when someone loses interest in something they once valued.
పాడితో పంట ఓపదు
padito panta opadu
Crop cannot sustain with dairy (cattle) alone.
This proverb highlights the difficulty of managing both agriculture and livestock simultaneously without sufficient resources or labor. It implies that if one is busy looking after the cattle, the fields might be neglected, or vice versa, emphasizing that managing multiple intensive tasks at once requires great effort and coordination.
రెండు తప్పలు ఎప్పుడూ ఒక ఒప్పు కాలేవు
rendu tappalu eppudu oka oppu kalevu
Two wrongs can never make a right
This expression is used to say that if someone has done something bad to you, there is no justification for you to do something bad to them in return. It implies that a second wrongful action does not correct or balance out the first one.
అత్త మీద కోపం దుత్త మీద చూపించినట్టు
atta mida kopam dutta mida chupinchinattu
Like showing anger toward the mother-in-law on the earthen pot.
This expression describes a situation where someone takes out their frustration or anger on an innocent third party or an inanimate object because they cannot confront the person who actually caused the provocation. It is similar to the concept of 'displaced aggression'.
మంత్రసాని తనానికి ఒప్పుకున్న తరువాత, ఏది వచ్చినా పట్టాలి.
mantrasani tananiki oppukunna taruvata, edi vachchina pattali.
Once you agree to be a midwife, you must catch whatever comes out.
This proverb emphasizes commitment and responsibility. Once you have voluntarily taken up a task or a profession, you must be prepared to face all the challenges, difficulties, or messy situations that come with it without complaining.
దండుగకు ఒప్పదురుగాని, పండుగ కొప్పరు
dandugaku oppadurugani, panduga kopparu
They agree to a penalty but not to a festival.
This expression is used to describe people who are willing to spend money on useless things, penalties, or unnecessary losses but hesitate or refuse to spend money on something auspicious, joyful, or beneficial. It highlights poor priorities and the irony of people's spending habits.