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).
Related Phrases
చెడపడానికి ఒక్క చేటెడు బుద్ధి చాలు
chedapadaniki okka chetedu buddhi chalu
A winnowing basket full of bad intelligence is enough to ruin everything.
This expression is used to describe how a small amount of foolishness, negative influence, or bad advice is sufficient to cause significant destruction or failure. It highlights that while building something takes effort, ruining it requires very little.
ఒక చెంప కొట్టితే పాలు, ఒక చెంప కొట్టితే నీళ్లు
oka chempa kottite palu, oka chempa kottite nillu
If you slap one cheek, milk [comes ]; if you slap the other cheek, water [comes ]. Said of a very tender, delicate boy.
This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely innocent, tender, or young. It signifies a person who is so soft and fragile that they haven't yet experienced the harshness of the world, often referring to infants or very naive individuals.
రూపం చేత స్త్రీలు, పరాక్రమంచేత పురుషులు రాణింతురు.
rupam cheta strilu, parakramancheta purushulu raninturu.
Women shine through their beauty, while men shine through their valor.
This proverb highlights traditional perceptions of excellence where a woman's grace or beauty and a man's courage or strength are considered their defining qualities. It is used to describe how different virtues bring recognition and success to individuals depending on their nature.
ఈ చేత్తో చేస్తే ఆ చేత్తో అనుభవిస్తారు
i chetto cheste a chetto anubhavistaru
What you do with this hand, you will experience with the other hand.
This expression is similar to 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It implies that the consequences of one's actions—whether good or bad—will inevitably catch up to them, often sooner than expected. It is used to remind people that their current deeds determine their future outcomes.
మంచివానికి ఒక మాట, మూర్ఖునికి ఒక చేట.
manchivaniki oka mata, murkhuniki oka cheta.
A word to a good man, [ a blow with ] a sieve for an obsti- nate blockhead.
This proverb highlights the difference in receptiveness to advice. A wise or good-natured person understands and corrects their behavior with just a simple word of advice. However, an obstinate or foolish person will not learn unless they are punished or dealt with harshly (metaphorically represented by a 'cheta' or winnowing basket). It is used to suggest that different people require different levels of persuasion or discipline.
A blow with a sieve, a broom, or a slipper is very degrading.
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.
అమ్మ చెడ్డ చేటుకు ముసుగు ఒకటా?
amma chedda chetuku musugu okata?
Is this miserable wretched woman to wear a veil?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has already lost their reputation or is in a completely compromised position, and then tries to hide or be modest about minor things. It suggests that when the worst has already happened or been exposed, trivial attempts to maintain dignity or secrecy are hypocritical or pointless.
చేట భారతం
cheta bharatam
A Mahabharata as large as a winnowing basket.
This expression is used to describe a story, explanation, or document that is unnecessarily long, tedious, or excessively detailed. It compares a small or simple matter to the epic Mahabharata, implying that someone is stretching a simple point into a never-ending saga.
ఈ చేత చేసి ఆ చేత అనుభవించినట్టు.
i cheta chesi a cheta anubhavinchinattu.
Doing with this hand, and receiving the reward with that. Said of the certain result of either a good or bad deed. As you sow you shall reap. As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.
This proverb refers to the concept of 'Instant Karma'. It describes a situation where the consequences of one's actions (good or bad) follow almost immediately, without much delay. It implies that justice or results are delivered within the same lifetime or very quickly.
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.