అత్తపేరు పెట్టి కూతురిని కుంపట్లో వేసినట్టు
attaperu petti kuturini kumpatlo vesinattu
Giving her child her mother-in-law's name, she threw it into the fire.
This expression describes a situation where someone performs an act that appears respectful or honorable on the surface (like naming a child after an elder), but the actual result or intention is harmful or disastrous. It is used when a seemingly good gesture leads to someone's suffering or when someone uses a noble excuse to commit a cruel act.
Cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.
Related Phrases
కూతురని కుంచెడిస్తే, తల్లియని కంచెడు పెట్టినదట
kuturani kunchediste, talliyani kanchedu pettinadata
When the mother gave her daughter a kuncham of grain, the daughter set before her mother a dishful of food.
This expression describes a situation where kindness or generosity is met with even greater reciprocity. It highlights a cycle of mutual affection and hospitality between family members, specifically how a small gesture from one side is returned more abundantly by the other.
Kindness returned. Once never loseth by doing good turns. Kindness produccs kindness. ( Latin. )*
గుండెల మీద కుంపటి
gundela mida kumpati
A brazier (hot coal stove) on one's chest
This expression is used to describe a heavy burden, a constant source of anxiety, or a troublesome person/situation that causes continuous mental agony and stress. It signifies a problem that is impossible to ignore and painful to endure.
కంసాలి వద్ద ఉండవలె, కుంపట్లో ఉండవలె.
kamsali vadda undavale, kumpatlo undavale.
It must be with the goldsmith, or in the chafing-dish. Said of gold made away with by a swindling goldsmith.
This proverb is used to describe things or situations that have no middle ground or compromise. It refers to gold, which must either be in the hands of the goldsmith to be shaped or in the furnace (brazier) to be purified. It implies that a person or a task should either be completely involved in the process or undergoing transformation, leaving no room for being idle or halfway done.
ఉత్త చేతులు మూర వేసినట్టు
utta chetulu mura vesinattu
Like measuring the air.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes grand plans or claims without having any resources, basis, or substance. It refers to the futility of trying to measure length (a cubit) when you have nothing to measure or no foundation to work from.
Idle dreams.
కుంపట్లో తామర మొలిచినట్టు
kumpatlo tamara molichinattu
Like a lotus springing up in a chafing dish. Utterly incredible.
This expression refers to something precious, beautiful, or talented appearing in an unlikely, poor, or unfavorable environment. It is used to describe a brilliant person born into a poor family or a virtuous person found in a bad neighborhood.
కుంపట్లో తామర మొలిచినట్లు
kumpatlo tamara molichinatlu
Like a lotus blooming in a brazier (charcoal stove)
This expression is used to describe something beautiful, noble, or extraordinary emerging from a harsh, poor, or unfavorable environment. Just as a lotus is unlikely to grow in a hot charcoal stove, it refers to a person of great merit or a positive outcome arising from unexpected and difficult circumstances.
ఆర్భాటానికి ఆరు కుంపట్లు, వండడానికి ఒక దుంప లేదు.
arbhataniki aru kumpatlu, vandadaniki oka dumpa ledu.
Six chafing dishes and a fire of roots were the cause of the uproar.
This proverb describes a situation where there is a lot of pomp, show, or preparation, but the actual substance or result is zero. It is used to mock people who make grand arrangements or boast loudly without having the basic resources or achieving any real outcome.
ఏట్లో వేసినా ఎంచి వేయాలి
etlo vesina enchi veyali
Although you throw [ things ] into the river, take an account of them. Keep your expenditure within bounds.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of accountability and carefulness in spending or giving away resources. Even if you are losing or donating something, you should still keep track of the value or amount to avoid reckless waste and maintain financial discipline.
చలిపందిరి కుండలలో రాళ్లు వేసినట్టు
chalipandiri kundalalo rallu vesinattu
Like throwing stones at the pots in a water-shed.
This expression is used to describe a cruel or senseless act of sabotage. A 'Chalipandiri' is a booth set up to provide free drinking water to thirsty travelers during summer; throwing stones into those pots breaks them and deprives people of water. It refers to someone causing unnecessary harm to a public good or a charitable cause.
కాకులను కొట్టి గద్దలకు వేసినట్లు
kakulanu kotti gaddalaku vesinatlu
To kill crows and throw them to the kites.
This proverb is used to describe an act of taking away from the poor or weak to give to the rich or powerful. It highlights an unfair or unethical distribution of resources where those who have little are exploited to benefit those who already have plenty.
He robs Peter to pay Paul.