నోట్లో పిప్పిపన్ను - కంట్లో నలుసు
notlo pippipannu - kantlo nalusu
A decayed tooth in the mouth - a speck in the eye
This expression describes a situation where a person is suffering from multiple, persistent, and irritating problems at the same time. Just as a toothache and an eye irritant cause constant discomfort and distraction, it refers to life's nagging troubles that prevent peace of mind.
Related Phrases
ఇంట్లో పాయసమున్ను మందలో పాలుకూడానా?
intlo payasamunnu mandalo palukudana?
What! milk pudding in the house and milk also in the field ?
This proverb is used to criticize someone's greed or unrealistic expectations. It describes a situation where a person wants to enjoy the final luxury (Payasam) while simultaneously demanding the raw resource (milk) it is made from. It points out that one cannot have everything at once or exploit resources at both ends of the process.
Greediness.
అంగట్లో అన్ని ఉన్నా, అల్లుడి నోట్లో శని
angatlo anni unna, alludi notlo shani
Though there is everything in the shop, there is ill luck in the son-in-law’s mouth.
ముక్కుచొచ్చి కంట్లో ప్రవేశించినట్లు
mukkuchochchi kantlo praveshinchinatlu
Like entering through the nose and coming out of the eye.
This expression is used to describe someone who enters a situation or a place in a small or humble way but quickly gains control or creates a significant, often unexpected, impact. It can also describe something that starts as a minor issue but escalates into a complex or painful problem.
నోట్లో ముద్ద, గూట్లో దీపం
notlo mudda, gutlo dipam
A morsel in the mouth, a lamp in the niche.
This expression describes a state of extreme poverty or a hand-to-mouth existence. It refers to someone who has just enough to satisfy their basic immediate needs—a single meal and a tiny lamp for light—but possesses no savings, security, or surplus for the future.
తన కంట్లో దూలం పెట్టుకుని, పరుల కంట్లో నలుసు వెతికినట్లు
tana kantlo dulam pettukuni, parula kantlo nalusu vetikinatlu
Like checking for a speck in someone else's eye while having a beam in one's own.
This expression is used to describe hypocritical behavior where a person ignores their own massive flaws or mistakes while criticizing others for very minor or insignificant faults. It is the Telugu equivalent of the 'mote and the beam' parable.
నా నోట్లో వేలు పెట్టు, నీ కంట్లో వేలు పెడతానన్నట్లు
na notlo velu pettu, ni kantlo velu pedatanannatlu
Like saying, 'Put your finger in my mouth, and I will poke your eye.'
This expression describes a situation where someone invites or encourages an action only to use it as an opportunity to harm or betray the other person. It signifies a trap, treacherous behavior, or a tit-for-tat response where a seemingly harmless or cooperative gesture is met with a calculated attack.
ఒక కన్ను పువ్వు కన్ను, ఇంకో కన్ను కాయ కన్ను
oka kannu puvvu kannu, inko kannu kaya kannu
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).
ముక్కు చొచ్చి కంట్లో ప్రవేశించే వాడు
mukku chochchi kantlo praveshinche vadu
Having entered the nose, he gets into the eye. A skilful rogue.
This expression refers to someone who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or intrusive. It describes a person who starts with a small, seemingly harmless entry or request and quickly gains control or creates a significant impact, often in a deceptive or overwhelming manner.
మానంది తిరుణాళ్ళమన్నాయెగాని, ఏట్లో పడుకుంటే నోట్లో చేసిపోయినారు.
manandi tirunallamannayegani, etlo padukunte notlo chesipoyinaru.
They said it was a festival of great measures (Manandu), but while I was sleeping in the river (sand), they defecated in my mouth.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone had high expectations for a grand event or opportunity, but instead suffered a disgusting or humiliating experience. It highlights the gap between promised grandeur and a disappointing or insulting reality.
ఆలి నోట్లో ఆముదం మొగుడి నోట్లో మినపగింజ
ali notlo amudam mogudi notlo minapaginja
Castor oil in the wife's mouth, a black gram seed in the husband's mouth.
This expression refers to extreme domestic secrecy or a lack of communication between a couple. It describes a situation where both partners are keeping secrets from each other, making it impossible for either to speak freely or share the truth.