ఒక చంట పాలు, ఒక చంట నెత్తురు
oka chanta palu, oka chanta netturu
Milk from one breast, blood from the other.
This expression is used to describe a person who is capable of being both extremely kind and extremely harsh, or someone who shows two contrasting sides of their nature depending on the situation. It signifies a person who can nurture like a mother (milk) but can also be fierce or ruthless (blood) when provoked.
Related Phrases
నోరంతా పళ్ళు, ఊరంతా అప్పులు
noranta pallu, uranta appulu
A mouth full of teeth, a town full of debts.
This proverb is used to describe someone who smiles or talks excessively to hide their financial troubles, or someone who maintains an outward appearance of cheerfulness despite being heavily indebted to many people in the community.
ఒక కంచాన తిని ఒక మంచాన పడుకునేవారు
oka kanchana tini oka manchana padukunevaru
Those who eat from the same plate and sleep on the same bed.
This expression is used to describe an extremely close, intimate, and inseparable relationship between people (usually friends or family). It signifies a bond characterized by total trust and shared lives.
లంకంత కొంపలో చెట్టంత చీపురు.
lankanta kompalo chettanta chipuru.
A broom as big as a tree in a house as big as Lanka.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is extreme scarcity or disproportionate lack of resources in an otherwise large or grand setting. It refers to a huge house or family that lacks even basic necessities, or when something very small and insignificant is the only notable thing in a massive space.
ఎంత చెట్టుకు అంత గాలి
enta chettuku anta gali
As big as the tree is, so much is the wind.
This proverb suggests that responsibilities, problems, or rewards are proportional to one's stature, status, or capacity. For example, a larger business faces bigger risks, or a person with a high income has higher expenses.
చంకనెత్తుకుంటే ముద్దు, నెత్తినెత్తుకుంటే నడమంత్రం
chankanettukunte muddu, nettinettukunte nadamantram
If carried on the hip, it is affection; if carried on the head, it is a nuisance.
This proverb highlights the importance of maintaining boundaries and limits. It suggests that while showing affection or giving support is good, over-indulging someone or giving them too much freedom/authority can lead to them becoming a burden or acting out of place. It is often used to warn against spoiling children or being overly lenient with subordinates.
నా నెత్తురు నా చేతనే తాగించుతాడు
na netturu na chetane taginchutadu
He casts my blood into my mouth. i. e. He harasses and annoys me exceedingly.
This expression is used to describe a person who causes extreme distress, suffering, or mental agony to someone close to them. It characterizes a situation where someone's actions are so hurtful or demanding that the victim feels they are being self-destructed or bled dry by the perpetrator's behavior.
ఒక చేత పసుపు, ఒక చేత ముసుగు
oka cheta pasupu, oka cheta musugu
In one hand turmeric, in the other hand a hood. Turmeric is much used on auspicious occasions such as marriages. Every woman, except she be a widow, also rubs it daily on her body before bathing. Musuku is the skirt of a woman's cloth thrown over the head ( by widows ) as a hood.
This expression is used to describe an extremely critical or dangerous situation where life and death are equally possible. It is often used in the context of high-risk medical procedures, difficult childbirths, or precarious battles, signifying that while one hand prepares for a celebration or recovery (turmeric), the other prepares for a funeral (shroud).
ఒక కంటికి సున్నం ఒక కంటికి వెన్న పెట్టినట్టు
oka kantiki sunnam oka kantiki venna pettinattu
Like applying lime to one eye and butter to the other
This expression is used to describe showing partiality or unfair discrimination. It refers to a situation where two people or things are treated differently despite being equal, with one receiving harsh treatment (lime/caustic) and the other receiving soft, preferential treatment (butter).
కొండవీటి చాంతాడు
kondaviti chantadu
The well-rope of Kondaveedu
This expression is used to describe something that is excessively long, tedious, or never-ending. It refers to the deep wells of the Kondaveedu Fort which required incredibly long ropes to draw water, and is typically used today to describe long speeches, never-ending stories, or lengthy queues.
ఒక చేత పసుపు, ఒక చేత ముసుగు
oka cheta pasupu, oka cheta musugu
Turmeric in one hand, a veil in the other.
This proverb describes a person who displays contradictory behavior or is prepared for two completely opposite situations at once (like a wedding and a funeral). It is used to mock hypocritical behavior or to describe someone who is being extremely cautious or deceptive by keeping both a 'cure' and a 'cover' ready.