ఇంటి కూటికి, దోవ కూటికి రెంటికీ చెడినట్లు

inti kutiki, dova kutiki rentiki chedinatlu

Translation

Like losing both the meal at home and the meal for the journey.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to gain from two different options but ends up losing both due to indecision, poor planning, or greed. It is similar to the English idiom 'falling between two stools.'

Related Phrases

Like tying a knot between the sky and the earth

This expression is used to describe an impossible task, a highly exaggerated statement, or a clever person who can bridge two completely unrelated or extreme things through their talk or actions. It is often used to describe someone who spins tall tales or attempts to reconcile vast differences.

Mother to the nest, Father to the cremation ground.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a household or relationship is completely broken or heading towards total ruin. It signifies extreme divergence or a state where members of a family are no longer together, often due to severe neglect, irresponsibility, or unfortunate circumstances.

Like a washerman who lost both sides.

This expression describes a person who attempts to balance or benefit from two different options but ends up losing both. It is used to illustrate a situation where someone's indecision or greed leads to a total loss of all available opportunities, similar to the English idiom 'falling between two stools'.

Will the woman who cannot bear one [ trouble ] bear two ?

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the capacity or patience to handle a small responsibility but claims or aspires to handle a much larger one. It highlights the contradiction in their capabilities.

For conversation at our house, for a meal at your house.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is very friendly and talkative but avoids being hospitable or sharing food. It refers to a person who is happy to host a conversation but expects others to provide the meal or resources. It highlights a one-sided relationship or stinginess disguised as friendliness.

If one cannot jump to the hanging pot, can she fly to heaven?

This proverb is used to mock someone who fails at a simple, basic task but makes grand claims about achieving something much more difficult or impossible. It highlights the gap between one's actual abilities and their lofty ambitions.

Infection to the eye, pain to the body

This expression is used to describe a situation that is extremely annoying, constant, and difficult to ignore. Just as an eye infection causes persistent discomfort and a body ache makes one restless, this phrase refers to a person or a problem that causes continuous irritation or trouble.

Two stakes for a blind eye, two musical bands for a squint eye.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being overly cautious or excessive in trying to compensate for a minor or major defect. It highlights how people sometimes apply unnecessary or mismatched solutions to their problems, often making the situation look more dramatic or complicated than it needs to be.

Neither a housewife for the home, nor a pot for the stack.

This expression is used to describe someone or something that is completely useless or fails to serve any intended purpose. Just as a woman who doesn't care for the home isn't a true housewife, and a broken or ill-fitting pot cannot be part of a stack (donthi), a person who lacks utility in their designated role is described this way.

Do not go to your in-laws' house out of anger, and do not go to your sister's house when you are ruined.

This proverb advises maintaining self-respect and social dignity. Going to an in-law's house while angry (after a fight at home) diminishes one's respect there, and going to a sister's house after losing one's wealth or status can become a burden and strain relationships. It emphasizes that one should avoid seeking refuge in places where their presence might lead to humiliation or awkwardness during times of vulnerability.