కటికవానికి కత్తి అందించినట్లు
katikavaniki katti andinchinatlu
Like handing a knife to a butcher
This expression is used when someone assists an already cruel or harmful person in their wrongdoings, thereby enabling more damage. It describes a situation where a dangerous person is provided with the exact tool or opportunity they need to cause further destruction.
Related Phrases
కోతికి కల్లు తాగించినట్లు
kotiki kallu taginchinatlu
Like making a monkey drink toddy (palm wine)
This expression is used to describe a situation where a naturally mischievous or restless person becomes even more uncontrollable, chaotic, or hyperactive due to external factors. It is used when someone's existing negative traits are amplified by bad influence or circumstances.
ఆవలించిన నోటికి అప్పళించినట్లు
avalinchina notiki appalinchinatlu
Like slapping the mouth of someone who is yawning
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's small mistake or vulnerability is immediately taken advantage of by another person, or when someone is interrupted at a very awkward moment. It refers to the act of hitting or shutting someone's mouth right when they have it wide open to yawn.
గతించిన దానికి చింతించిన ఏల
gatinchina daniki chintinchina ela
Why worry about that which has already passed?
This expression is used to advise someone against dwelling on the past or mourning over things that cannot be changed. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb 'There is no use crying over spilled milk.' It encourages focusing on the future instead of wasting energy on past mistakes or misfortunes.
ఎద్దు నోటికి చొప్ప అందించినట్లు
eddu notiki choppa andinchinatlu
Like providing fodder to an ox's mouth.
This expression is used to describe an action that is extremely easy, natural, or convenient. Just as an ox will immediately and effortlessly eat fodder placed right at its mouth, this phrase refers to situations where someone is given exactly what they need or want without them having to make any effort.
అన్నీ పండించిన రైతుకు అన్నమే కరువు.
anni pandinchina raituku anname karuvu.
For the farmer who grew everything, food itself is a scarcity.
This proverb highlights the irony or tragic situation where a person who works hard to produce resources for others ends up deprived of those very resources. It is used to describe circumstances where creators or providers lack the basic necessities they provide to the world, often due to economic exploitation or systemic issues.
కట్టినవానికి ఒకయిల్లు అయితే కట్టనివానికి వెయ్యిండ్లు.
kattinavaniki okayillu ayite kattanivaniki veyyindlu.
For the one who built, there is one house; for the one who hasn't built, there are a thousand houses.
This proverb highlights the freedom and lack of responsibility that comes with not owning property or being tied down. While a homeowner is restricted to their one house and its maintenance, a traveler or a person without a permanent home can find shelter and hospitality in many places, effectively making the whole world their home.
మందిని ముంచి మసీదు కట్టినట్లు.
mandini munchi masidu kattinatlu.
Like drowning many people to build a mosque.
This proverb describes a person who performs a seemingly pious or charitable act using resources gained through deceit, exploitation, or by harming others. It highlights the hypocrisy of trying to earn merit through sinful or unethical means.
కాని కాలానికి కట్టె పామై కరుస్తుంది
kani kalaniki katte pamai karustundi
In bad times, even a stick turns into a snake and bites.
This proverb is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when one is going through a streak of bad luck, even harmless objects or trusted situations can unexpectedly cause harm or turn against them.
ముక్కుపట్టిన వానిచేత చీదించినట్లు
mukkupattina vanicheta chidinchinatlu
Like making the person who is holding your nose blow it.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is forced to do a task by the very person who is hindering or controlling them. It signifies an ironic or redundant form of compulsion where the victim has no choice but to follow the instructions of their oppressor to perform a basic action.
కట్టినవానికి ఒక ఇల్లు అయితే కట్టనివానికి వెయ్యి ఇళ్లు.
kattinavaniki oka illu ayite kattanivaniki veyyi illu.
A man that has built a house has one house, a man that has built no house has a thousand houses. A man without a house can change his residence as often as he pleases. He who has no house of his own is every where at home. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to highlight the freedom of choice and lack of burden that comes with not being tied down to a specific commitment or property. While a homeowner is restricted to their one house and its maintenance, a person who hasn't built or bought a home is free to live anywhere. It can also imply that someone without responsibilities has many options, whereas someone committed to a task is limited to that one path.