అత్త కూడు వండమన్నదే కానీ, కుండ పగులగొట్టమన్నదా?

atta kudu vandamannade kani, kunda pagulagottamannada?

Translation

The mother-in-law asked to cook the food, but did she ask to break the pot?

Meaning

This proverb is used when someone makes a mistake or causes damage while performing a simple task and tries to justify it or shift the blame. It highlights that being given a responsibility does not give one the license to be reckless or destructive. It is often used to criticize someone who oversteps their bounds or acts carelessly while doing a favor.

Related Phrases

Like being given sesame seeds and told to cook mustard seeds

This expression describes a situation where someone provides the wrong resources but expects a specific, different result. It is used to mock illogical demands or impossible expectations where the input does not match the desired output.

Like breaking the milk-yielding pot oneself

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone foolishly destroys their own source of livelihood, prosperity, or a highly beneficial resource through their own reckless actions or bad temper.

They said to drive the person without resourcefulness out of the village.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of intelligence and resourcefulness (upayamu) in society. It suggests that a person who lacks the wit to solve problems or contribute effectively is a burden to the community, highlighting that brains are often more valued than brawn or mere presence.

The mother-in-law asked her to dance, but the daughter-in-law said she was lame.

This expression describes a situation where someone intentionally makes excuses or feigns inability to avoid doing a task or following a suggestion. It highlights a spirit of non-cooperation or finding faults to escape responsibility.

If one marries a blind woman because the dowry (oli) is low, she might end up breaking all the stacked pots.

This proverb warns against being penny-wise and pound-foolish. It describes a situation where someone chooses a cheaper or easier option to save money (like paying a smaller bride price), only to suffer much greater losses or damages later due to the inherent flaws or lack of suitability of that choice. It is used when a shortcut or cheap solution leads to expensive consequences.

When told that a bull has given birth, he asked to tie the calf in the shed.

This proverb describes a person who blindly reacts or believes something without thinking logically. Since a bull (male) cannot give birth, a rational person should question the statement first. Instead, the person in the proverb immediately suggests a next step, showing gullibility or a lack of common sense. It is used to mock people who follow instructions or rumors without verifying the facts.

When sudden wealth arrives, he asked for an umbrella to be held at midnight.

This proverb is used to describe the arrogant or foolish behavior of people who suddenly become wealthy or acquire power. It mocks those who display their new status ostentatiously and unnecessarily, like asking for a sunshade (umbrella) in the middle of the night just to show off their importance.

Like saying one will harvest without even sowing.

This proverb is used to describe a person who expects results or rewards without putting in any effort or work. It highlights the absurdity of wanting to reap benefits when the necessary groundwork has not been done.

He said that if he doesn't destroy a settled family life, he isn't her husband after all.

This expression is used to describe a person who is habitually malicious or someone whose primary intent is to create rifts and chaos in others' stable lives. It highlights a character that takes pride in being a home-wrecker or a source of trouble for happy families.

When someone said 'Well done, drummer!', he supposedly broke all five of his fingers.

This expression is used to describe someone who gets overly excited or carried away by a small amount of praise and ends up hurting themselves or causing damage through over-enthusiasm. It serves as a warning against being reckless or losing one's head due to flattery.