చావు తప్పి కన్ను లొట్టపోయినట్టు

chavu tappi kannu lottapoyinattu

Translation

Escaping death, but losing an eye.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone narrowly escapes a major disaster or death, but still suffers a significant loss or minor injury in the process. It is similar to the English phrase 'a narrow escape' or 'escaping by the skin of one's teeth' with a focus on the collateral damage sustained.

Related Phrases

Beckoning to a religious mendicant and then telling him that one of his eyes is hollow. Leading a person to suppose you wish to confer a benefit on him, and then insulting him.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone invites another person or calls them near with a pretense of kindness or intimacy, only to insult, criticize, or point out their flaws once they are close. It refers to people who use proximity or friendship as an opportunity to be rude or hurtful.

The widow neither dies nor does her menstrual cycle stop.

This proverb is used to describe a persistent, annoying problem or a person who remains a constant nuisance without any resolution. It refers to a situation that is stuck in a stagnant, unpleasant state where there is neither an end to the trouble nor any relief from the daily difficulties associated with it.

When after being long childless, Lôkâya was born to them, Lôkâya's eye was sunken.

This expression is used when something that has been long-awaited or achieved after great difficulty turns out to be defective or comes with a significant flaw. It describes a situation where the joy of a hard-won success is dampened by an unexpected problem.

Calling someone close and then telling them they have a hollow eye.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is invited or welcomed under the guise of hospitality or friendship, only to be insulted, criticized, or humiliated once they arrive. It highlights the rudeness of offending a guest after specifically seeking their company.

Calling a servant closer only to tell him that his eye is sunken.

This proverb describes a situation where someone goes out of their way to call or approach another person, not to help or offer something positive, but merely to point out a flaw or insult them. It is used to describe mean-spirited behavior or unsolicited criticism delivered under the guise of personal attention.

If sharpness is lost or if the season is missed, the tax is a waste.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and preparedness in agriculture. If the tools aren't sharp or if the farmer misses the specific sowing window (season), the crop will fail, making the payment of land taxes a total loss. It is used more broadly to signify that performing a task without proper preparation or at the wrong time leads to wasted effort and resources.

Escaping death but losing an eye.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone survives a major disaster or crisis but suffers a minor loss or injury in the process. It signifies a narrow escape from a catastrophe where the outcome, although not perfect, is a huge relief compared to what could have happened.

One eye is a flower eye, the other eye is a fruit eye.

This expression is used to describe partiality or double standards shown by a person. It refers to a situation where someone treats one person or side with kindness and favor (the soft flower) while treating another with harshness or severity (the hard unripe fruit).

If the sharpness is lost or the right time is missed, the tax is a waste.

This proverb is primarily used in the context of agriculture but applies to any time-sensitive task. It means that if your tools aren't sharp (readiness) or if you miss the specific window of opportunity (timing), all the effort and money (taxes/investment) put into the endeavor will be a total loss. It emphasizes that both preparation and timing are crucial for success.

Escaping death only to lose an eye.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone narrowly escapes a major disaster but still suffers a significant, though less fatal, loss or injury. It is similar to the English expression 'to have a narrow escape' or 'out of the frying pan into the fire', but specifically emphasizes surviving a catastrophe with some remaining damage.