రాతి కుండకు ఇనుప తెడ్డు
rati kundaku inupa teddu
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.
Related Phrases
మున్నూటి కులానికి ముప్పు లేదు, మొండికాలికి చెప్పు లేదు.
munnuti kulaniki muppu ledu, mondikaliki cheppu ledu.
There is no danger for the Munnuru caste, and there is no sandal for a stumped leg.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb or 'Sameta'. Historically, it refers to the resilience and self-sufficiency of the Munnuru Kapu community, suggesting they are a strong, risk-free collective. The second part is a literal observation used for rhyming or emphasis, implying that just as a deformed or amputated leg cannot wear a standard sandal, certain things in life are fixed or beyond typical constraints.
అత్త కొట్టిన కుండ అడుగోటి కుండ, కోడలు కొట్టిన కుండ కొత్త కుండ.
atta kottina kunda adugoti kunda, kodalu kottina kunda kotta kunda.
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.
రాతి కుండకు ఇనపతెడ్డు.
rati kundaku inapateddu.
An iron ladle for a stone pot.
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.
మీ గొడ్డుకు యింత తవుడు అంటే, మీ బిడ్డకు యిన్ని పాలు అన్నాడట.
mi godduku yinta tavudu ante, mi biddaku yinni palu annadata.
One said "Here is bran for your cow," the other replied "Here is milk for your child."
This proverb emphasizes the principle of 'cause and effect' or 'investment and return.' Just as feeding livestock well leads to better yield, putting effort or resources into a task will yield proportional benefits. It is used to suggest that if you want a good outcome, you must first provide the necessary inputs or care.
Interchange of kindly acts. One good turn deserves another.
ఇల్లాలు గుడ్డిదయితే, యింటి కుండలకు చేటు.
illalu guddidayite, yinti kundalaku chetu.
If the mistress of the house be blind, all the pots will be broken. Without supervision things will go to ruin. When the gude wife's awa', the keys are tint. (Scotch.)
This proverb highlights the importance of the primary person in charge of a task being capable and attentive. If the person responsible for managing a household (or an organization) is unable to see or manage things properly, it leads to the loss and destruction of the resources under their care. It is used to describe how a lack of supervision or competence in leadership leads to waste and damage.
కోడలు కొట్టిన కుండ కొత్తకుండ, అత్త కొట్టిన కుండ అతుకుల కుండ
kodalu kottina kunda kottakunda, atta kottina kunda atukula kunda
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.
కోడలు కొట్టిన కుండ కొత్త కుండ, అత్త కొట్టిన కుండ అడుగోటి కుండ.
kodalu kottina kunda kotta kunda, atta kottina kunda adugoti kunda.
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).
కుండ వెళ్లి బిందెకు తగిలినా, బిందె వచ్చి కుండకు తగిలినా కుండకే నష్టం
kunda velli bindeku tagilina, binde vachchi kundaku tagilina kundake nashtam
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.
చల్లకుండకు చంటి బిడ్డకు చాటుండాలి
challakundaku chanti biddaku chatundali
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.
తొడిమ ఊడిన పండు పడకుండా ఉంటుందా?
todima udina pandu padakunda untunda?
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.