ఒకటి తరక, ఇంకొకటి తాలు.
okati taraka, inkokati talu.
One is a broken piece, and the other is a hollow husk.
This expression is used to describe two people or things that are equally useless, defective, or of poor quality. It highlights that there is no choice between them because neither has any value, often used when comparing two options that are both unsatisfactory.
Related Phrases
విత్తు ఒకటి వేస్తే, చెట్టు ఇంకొకటి మొలచునా?
vittu okati veste, chettu inkokati molachuna?
If you sow one type of seed, will a different tree grow?
This expression is equivalent to 'as you sow, so shall you reap'. It highlights that actions have inevitable consequences and the results will always be consistent with the nature of the initial action. It is used to point out that one cannot expect good outcomes from bad deeds or vice-versa.
తానొకటి తలిస్తే దైవం ఒకటి తలిచింది
tanokati taliste daivam okati talichindi
When he planned one thing, God planned another. Man proposes, God disposes.
This proverb is equivalent to the English expression 'Man proposes, God disposes.' It is used to describe situations where human plans fail or take an unexpected turn due to fate or circumstances beyond one's control.
కరక్కాయ తురక రెండూ భేదికారులే; ఒకటి లోపలికి పోవాలి; ఇంకొకటి దగ్గరకు వస్తేనే చాలు.
karakkaya turaka rendu bhedikarule; okati lopaliki povali; inkokati daggaraku vastene chalu.
Both Haritaki and a Turk are purgatives; one must go inside, while for the other, just coming close is enough.
This is a historical proverb reflecting the fear and social impact during the era of invasions. While 'karakkaya' (myrobalan) acts as a laxative only when consumed, the mere presence of a 'turaka' (invader) was enough to cause people to lose control of their bowels out of fear. It is used to describe something or someone so terrifying that their mere approach causes panic.
ఒకడు పినతల్లికి తప్పినవాడు, ఇంకొకడు తల్లికి తప్పినవాడు.
okadu pinatalliki tappinavadu, inkokadu talliki tappinavadu.
One missed being born to the maternal aunt, the other missed being born to the mother.
This expression is used to describe two people who are equally wicked, cunning, or troublesome. It implies that there is no difference in their bad character; if one is bad, the other is slightly worse or just as bad. It is similar to saying 'two of a kind' or 'chips off the same block' in a negative context.
బయటకొకటి లోపలికొకటి
bayatakokati lopalikokati
One on the outside and another on the inside
This expression is used to describe a person who is hypocritical or two-faced. It refers to someone whose outward words or behavior do not match their true internal intentions or feelings.
తాను ఒకటి తలిస్తే దైవం ఒకటి తలుస్తాడు
tanu okati taliste daivam okati talustadu
If one thinks of one thing, God thinks of another
This proverb is equivalent to the English saying 'Man proposes, God disposes.' It implies that human plans are often overruled by destiny or divine will, and things may not always go as we intended.
తాను ఒకటి తలిస్తే దైవం ఒకటి తలచినట్లు
tanu okati taliste daivam okati talachinatlu
If one thinks of one thing, God thinks of another.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Man proposes, God disposes.' It is used to describe situations where human plans or expectations fail to materialize because fate or a higher power had a different outcome in store.
ఒకరు ఏటికి తీస్తే, ఇంకొకరు కాటికి తీసినట్లు.
okaru etiki tiste, inkokaru katiki tisinatlu.
If one pulls towards the river, another pulls towards the cremation ground.
This proverb describes a situation where there is a total lack of coordination or cooperation between people. It is used when individuals work at cross-purposes or pull in opposite directions, making it impossible to achieve a common goal.
ఒకటి చేయబోతే మరొకటి అయినట్లు
okati cheyabote marokati ayinatlu
Doing one thing and it becoming another
This expression is used to describe a situation where one's actions lead to an unexpected or unintended outcome, often despite good intentions. It is similar to the English phrase 'Backfiring' or 'Best-laid plans gone awry.' It describes a result that is completely different from what was originally planned.
తానొకటి తలిస్తే దైవమొకటి తలచినట్లు
tanokati taliste daivamokati talachinatlu
While one thinks of one thing, God thinks of another.
This proverb is the Telugu equivalent of 'Man proposes, God disposes'. It is used when human plans or expectations fail due to unforeseen circumstances or fate, highlighting that humans do not have ultimate control over the outcomes of their actions.