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).
Related Phrases
అదంతా ఒక కంప రామాయణము
adanta oka kampa ramayanamu
That is all a thorny Ramayana
This expression is used to describe a story, explanation, or situation that is unnecessarily long, confusing, messy, and difficult to get through. Just as a 'kampa' (thorny bush) is tangled and hard to navigate, a 'Kampa Ramayanam' refers to a tedious or convoluted narrative that lacks clarity.
ఒక కంటిలో సున్నం, ఇంకొక కంటిలో వెన్న
oka kantilo sunnam, inkoka kantilo venna
Lime in one eye and butter in the other eye
This expression is used to describe showing partiality or unfair discrimination. It refers to a situation where two people or groups are treated differently—one with harshness (lime/sunnam, which burns) and the other with kindness (butter/venna, which soothes).
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
ఒక కన్ను కన్నూ కాదు, ఒక కొడుకు కొడుకూ కాదు
oka kannu kannu kadu, oka koduku koduku kadu
One eye is not an eye, one son is not a son.
This proverb highlights the vulnerability and risk associated with having only one of something essential. Just as losing one's only eye results in total blindness, depending on an only child (traditionally for lineage or support) is considered risky because if something happens to them, there is no backup. It is used to describe situations where a single point of failure exists.
ఉట్టిమీద వెన్న పెట్టుకుని ఊరంతా నేతికి దేవులాడినట్లు
uttimida venna pettukuni uranta netiki devuladinatlu
Like searching the whole village for ghee while having butter on the hanging shelf
This expression describes a situation where someone searches everywhere for something they already possess or which is right under their nose. It is used to mock the irony of looking for a solution or resource far away when it is easily available at home.
కట్టుకున్న మొగుడు, పెట్టుకున్న నగలు.
kattukunna mogudu, pettukunna nagalu.
The husband one is married to, the jewelry one is wearing.
This expression highlights the items or people that truly belong to a person and provide real security or status. It is used to emphasize that only what is legally yours or physically in your possession can be relied upon in times of need or social standing.
ఎత్తుకున్న బిడ్డ మొత్తుకున్నా ఆగదు
ettukunna bidda mottukunna agadu
A child in arms won't stop crying even if you hit it.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is forced to endure a burden or responsibility they have voluntarily taken up. Once you have committed to helping someone or taking on a task (lifting the child), you must bear the consequences and difficulties (the crying/trouble) that come with it until the end.
అరచేత వెన్న పెట్టుకొని నేతికి ఏడ్చినట్టు
aracheta venna pettukoni netiki edchinattu
Like a man with butter in the palm of his hand, calling out for ghi.
This proverb is used to describe a person who searches for something everywhere when it is already within their possession or reach. It highlights the irony of being unaware of the resources one already has while complaining about a lack of results (since ghee is made by melting butter).
ఎత్తుక తిన్నవాణ్ణి పొత్తులో పెట్టుకుంటే, అంతా తీసి బొంతలో పెట్టుకున్నాడట
ettuka tinnavanni pottulo pettukunte, anta tisi bontalo pettukunnadata
When a thief who steals and eats was taken as a partner, he stole everything and hid it in his bundle.
This proverb warns against trusting a person with a known history of dishonesty or theft. It implies that if you enter into a partnership or trust someone who is habitually untrustworthy, you shouldn't be surprised when they eventually betray you or steal your belongings. It is used to describe situations where someone suffers a loss due to their own poor judgment in choosing associates.
అరచేత వెన్న పెట్టుకొని, నేతికి ఏడ్చినట్లు
aracheta venna pettukoni, netiki edchinatlu
Holding butter in the palm, yet crying for ghee.
This expression describes a situation where someone overlooks a solution or resource they already possess while desperately searching for it elsewhere. It is used to point out the foolishness of not realizing that the goal is already within reach, as butter is the source of ghee.