వేలు తెగినా సున్నం పెట్టడు

velu tegina sunnam pettadu

Translation

He won't even give lime (chuna) if a finger is cut.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person who refuses to help others even in a dire emergency or for a very small cost. In olden days, lime paste was used as a quick first aid for small cuts; the phrase suggests the person is so greedy they wouldn't even spare a tiny bit of lime to stop someone's bleeding.

Related Phrases

Like a fox with its tail cut off

This expression is used to describe a person who has lost their influence, status, or power and is now moving about with shame or embarrassment. It often refers to someone who was once cunning or arrogant but has been humbled by a defeat or failure, making them look miserable or pathetic.

Even if one cuts his finger, he will not give a bit of chunam. To stop the bleeding.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stingy or miserly person. In olden days, slaked lime (sunnam) was used as a basic first-aid to stop bleeding from minor cuts. The saying implies the person is so greedy that they won't even provide a worthless bit of lime to help someone in pain.

A heartless man.

A broken throat cannot take in fodder.

This proverb is used to describe a state of extreme exhaustion, illness, or a point of no return where even the most essential nourishment or help is no longer effective. It metaphorically suggests that when the physical or mental capacity of a person is completely broken, no amount of resources or advice can save the situation.

A bird with broken wings

This expression is used to describe a person who has lost their support system, power, or means of independence. It conveys a state of utter helplessness or being stranded after a significant setback.

When he has chunam on his thumb, he is upset with conceit.

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely fragile, delicate, or hypersensitive. It mocks a person who makes a huge fuss or gets completely incapacitated by a trivial injury or a minor inconvenience.

Having " chunam on the thumb" means ability to afford to eat a little betel nut. Chunam is rubbed on the leaf with the thumb.

Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.

This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.

A kite with a broken string

This expression is used to describe a person who is directionless, lacks control, or is wandering aimlessly without any support or guidance. It can also refer to someone who has suddenly become free from constraints but is now unstable or lost.

If a woman cannot reach the hanging net, can she jump to heaven?

This proverb is used to mock someone who fails at a simple, basic task but makes grand claims about achieving something much more difficult or impossible. It highlights the gap between one's actual abilities and their unrealistic ambitions.

Like applying lime to someone who asked for food

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.

When trying to do delicate work, everything turned into lime powder.

This proverb describes a situation where an attempt to perform a very fine or meticulous task backfires, resulting in total destruction or waste of resources. It is used when someone's over-ambition or lack of skill in handling delicate matters leads to a complete mess instead of the intended perfection.