ఇల్లు కాలుతుంటే చుట్ట కాల్చుకున్నాడట

illu kalutunte chutta kalchukunnadata

Translation

When the house was on fire, he tried to light his cigar with it.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe an extremely selfish or opportunistic person who tries to find a small personal benefit even in a situation of great disaster or someone else's misery. It highlights a lack of empathy and a focus on trivial personal needs during a crisis.

Related Phrases

Like pulling out the rafters while the house is on fire.

This expression is used to describe an extremely selfish or opportunistic person who tries to extract personal gain or petty benefits from a major disaster or someone else's crisis, instead of helping to solve the problem.

Like pulling the rafters out of a burning house. A clumsy expedient.

This proverb describes a person's extreme selfishness or greed. It refers to someone who tries to gain a small, petty benefit from a catastrophic situation or someone else's misfortune, instead of helping or showing empathy.

A cat with a burnt leg and a dog with a burnt mouth.

This expression describes someone who is extremely restless, impatient, or constantly wandering from one place to another without purpose. Just as a cat with a burnt paw cannot stay still and a dog with a burnt mouth keeps whining or moving in distress, it refers to a person in a state of agitation or aimless agitation.

The bullock began to limp when it saw the barber. Who would take out a thorn, &c. Malingering.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone pretends to have a problem or disability to avoid work or a specific task. Historically, barbers were also used for minor veterinary tasks like branding or treating cattle; hence, the ox pretends to be lame to escape the discomfort of the treatment or the labor expected afterward.

Like thieves joining together to divide the villages among themselves.

This expression is used when two or more dishonest people or entities collaborate to share ill-gotten gains or exploit a situation for their own benefit. It describes a situation where 'honor among thieves' exists solely to ensure they can divide the loot without conflict, often at the expense of others.

Having taken his own door and put it on his neighbour's house, he spent the whole night in driving away the dogs. Over generous. Charity begins at home.

This proverb describes a person who foolishly creates trouble for themselves by being over-generous or sacrificing their own basic needs/security to help others who may not even need it. It is used to mock someone who makes poor decisions that lead to self-inflicted hardship.

If foxes howl, dogs do not bark.

This proverb is used to describe situations where superior or more capable individuals do not stoop down to respond to the noise or provocations of inferior or malicious people. It highlights the difference in dignity and behavior between different classes of people.

Like digging a well while the house is on fire

This proverb describes the foolishness of starting preparations or seeking a solution only when a disaster has already struck. It highlights a lack of foresight and the futility of reactive measures that are too late to be effective.

He said he would herd the goats if provided with broken rice.

This expression is used to describe someone who demands a reward or payment even for a task that is inherently beneficial or provides for them anyway. It highlights the absurdity of asking for extra incentives to do something that is basic or self-serving.

When told the house is on fire, he said let's heat some water.

This proverb describes a person who is incredibly foolish, opportunistic, or indifferent to a crisis. It is used when someone tries to find a small personal benefit or suggests a trivial action in the middle of a massive disaster or an emergency situation.