దొంగ చేతికి తాళం ఇచ్చినట్లు

donga chetiki talam ichchinatlu

Translation

Like giving the keys to a thief

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where a responsibility or a valuable asset is entrusted to someone who is most likely to abuse or steal it. It is used when a person makes a foolish decision by trusting an untrustworthy individual, effectively creating an opportunity for their own loss.

Related Phrases

Like fruits growing on the palm of one's hand.

This expression is used to describe something that is impossible or highly unlikely to happen. Just as it is biologically impossible for fruit to grow directly from a human palm, it refers to unrealistic claims or deceptive promises that defy logic and reality.

Like giving the keys to a thief

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person mistakenly entrusts a valuable object or a sensitive responsibility to someone who is likely to misuse it or take advantage of it. It highlights the foolishness of putting a wrong or untrustworthy person in charge.

Giving the flour and jaggery oneself, and then asking, 'Auntie, where is your blessed offering?'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone provides all the resources and effort for a task, but then acts as if they are receiving a favor or a gift from someone else involved. It highlights false modesty or the irony of someone seeking credit/blessings for something they essentially did themselves.

When a thief's hand is put into a fire-pit, it flails about on a New Moon day.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone with a guilty conscience or an inherent bad habit becomes extremely restless or reveals their true nature when an opportunity or a specific triggering circumstance arises. It implies that a person's true character cannot be hidden forever and will manifest uncontrollably under certain conditions.

Giving what was given and taking back what was taken

This expression is used to describe a situation where an exchange or transaction results in no net gain or change, essentially returning to the original state. It is often used to describe futile efforts or circular logic where one ends up exactly where they started.

Like waking the master, and giving the thief a stick. To hold with the hare, and hunt with the hounds.

This proverb describes a person who pretends to help but actually creates a dangerous situation or aids the enemy. It is used to refer to someone's double-dealing or treacherous behavior where they appear to alert the victim while simultaneously empowering the perpetrator.

I have given both the fruit and the sickle into your hands; do as you please.

This expression signifies granting someone complete autonomy or authority over a situation. It is used when you provide someone with all the necessary tools or resources and leave the final decision or outcome entirely to their discretion.

Like giving a vessel to a bad man named Venkayya.

This proverb describes a situation where an unreliable or irresponsible person is given a task or an object, which they will inevitably ruin or lose. It is used when someone entrusts something valuable to a person known for their carelessness or bad character, leading to a predictable failure.

Like giving a reward to the person who cut off the head.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone foolishly rewards or empowers the very person who is causing them harm or destruction. It highlights the irony and stupidity of helping one's own enemy or benefactor of one's downfall.

Waking up the homeowner and handing a stick to the thief.

This proverb describes a double-crossing or hypocritical action where someone pretends to help but actually aids the enemy. It is used when a person's actions are self-defeating or when someone causes a conflict and then equips one side to cause more harm.