రాతి కుండకు ఇనపతెడ్డు.

rati kundaku inapateddu.

Translation

An iron ladle for a stone pot.

Meaning

This proverb refers to a situation where two people or objects are perfectly matched in terms of toughness, stubbornness, or quality. Just as a stone pot is strong enough to withstand being stirred by a heavy iron ladle, this expression is often used to describe two equally difficult or strong-willed individuals dealing with each other.

Related Phrases

The pot broken by the mother-in-law was a cracked pot, the pot broken by the daughter-in-law was a new pot.

This proverb highlights double standards and hypocrisy in judgment. It describes a situation where the same mistake is viewed differently depending on who committed it. If someone in a superior position (like a mother-in-law) makes a mistake, it is dismissed as insignificant, but if a subordinate (like a daughter-in-law) makes the same mistake, it is exaggerated and treated as a major offense.

An iron ladle for a stone pot. Severe measures for stubborn people To a hard kust a hard wedge. (Spanish.)

This expression describes a situation where two entities or individuals are perfectly matched in terms of strength, stubbornness, or toughness. Just as a stone pot is durable enough to withstand an iron ladle without breaking, this is used to refer to a conflict or partnership between two equally formidable or unyielding parties.

Vows in times of trouble, carping [ at the gods ] in times of prosperity.

This proverb describes a person's fickle nature towards God or others. When in trouble (Apathu), people make grand promises and vows, but once they attain wealth or success (Sampathu), they make excuses or become 'lame' (Kuntlu) to avoid fulfilling those commitments.

The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be; The devil grew well, the devil a monk was he. (Latin.)* * Aegrotat daemon, monachus tunce esse volebat; Daemon convaluit, daemon ut ante fuit,

The pot the daughter-in-law broke was a new one; the pot the mother-in-law broke was a patched-up one.

This proverb highlights human hypocrisy and double standards in judging mistakes. It describes a situation where people exaggerate the mistakes of others (the daughter-in-law's mistake is seen as destroying something brand new) while making excuses for their own or their favorites' mistakes (the mother-in-law's broken pot is dismissed as having been old and already broken). It is used to point out unfair bias and blame-shifting.

Do stone pots and sand ladles exist anywhere?

This proverb is used to describe something that is logically impossible or an incompatible combination. Just as a pot cannot be made of solid stone (traditionally referring to the fragility or impracticality of such a mismatch) and a ladle made of sand would disintegrate instantly, certain plans or partnerships are doomed to fail because they defy common sense or natural laws.

The pot broken by the daughter-in-law is a new pot, while the pot broken by the mother-in-law is a worthless pot.

This proverb highlights double standards and hypocrisy in judging actions. It refers to how people often exaggerate the mistakes of others (the daughter-in-law) while minimizing or making excuses for their own or their favorites' mistakes (the mother-in-law).

O Lord of Rama, O Lord of Sita, as soon as I wake up, the stomach is the only concern.

This is a humorous and realistic expression used to describe the daily struggle for livelihood. It suggests that no matter how much one prays or thinks of higher things, the immediate priority upon waking up is finding a way to fill one's stomach (earning a living). It is often used to comment on the practical necessities of life that take precedence over spiritual or idealistic pursuits.

Whether the clay pot goes and hits the brass pot, or the brass pot comes and hits the clay pot, it is the clay pot that gets damaged.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a weak or vulnerable person is always the one who suffers in a conflict with a powerful person, regardless of who started the fight or how it occurred. It emphasizes that in an unequal power dynamic, the consequences are always borne by the weaker party.

The buttermilk pot and the infant child both need a covering.

This proverb emphasizes the need for protection and privacy for certain delicate or valuable things. Just as buttermilk can spoil if left exposed and a baby is vulnerable to the elements or 'evil eye,' some matters or assets should be kept discreetly to ensure their well-being.

Will a fruit whose stalk is detached not fall?

This proverb implies that when the natural bond or support system of something is broken, its downfall or consequence is inevitable. It is used to describe situations where a result is certain to happen following a specific cause, such as someone losing their job after losing their protector, or an event occurring once its preparation is complete.