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The pot is calling the kettle black Meaning in English

expression

thuh POT iz KAW-ling thuh KET-uhl BLAK
thuh POT iz KAW-ling thuh KET-uhl BLAK

Definition

This expression is used when someone criticizes another person for a fault they also have themselves.

Usage & Nuances

Informal and often humorous or ironic. Use when someone is being hypocritical. Similar expressions: 'look who's talking', 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.'

Spanish: el sartén le dice a la olla que está negra - el cazo le dice a la olla negraPortuguese (BR): o sujo falando do mal lavadoPortuguese (PT): o sujo a falar do mal lavadoChinese (Simplified): 五十步笑百步Chinese (Traditional): 五十步笑百步Hindi: अपने गिरेबान में झाँकना चाहिए - ऊँट के मुँह से ज़हरArabic: يقول له يا أسود وهو أسود منهBengali: চোরে চোরে মাসতুত ভাই - অন্যের দোষ ধরে, নিজের দোষ দেখে নাRussian: чья бы корова мычала, а твоя молчала - горшок обзывает чайник чёрнымJapanese: 五十歩百歩 - 他人の欠点を指摘しながら自分も同じVietnamese: chê người khác mà bản thân cũng vậy - 'chậu chê ấm đen'Korean: 똥 묻은 개가 겨 묻은 개 나무란다Turkish: terzi kendi söküğünü dikemez - testi kendini bilmez, başkasını kınarUrdu: اونٹ کے منہ میں زیرہ - خود میں بھی وہی عیب ہو کر دوسرے کو طعنہ دیناIndonesian: yang menuduh, dia sendiri juga sama - 'kuali berkata si teko hitam'

Example Sentences

When Tim said Anna was being messy, it was the pot is calling the kettle black.

basic

Saying I talk too much? That's the pot is calling the kettle black.

basic

Calling me late again? That's the pot is calling the kettle black.

basic

Jake telling me to clean my room? That's totally the pot is calling the kettle black.

natural

You said I'm bad at texting back, but honestly, that's the pot is calling the kettle black.

natural

Lisa complains that I watch too much TV, but the pot is calling the kettle black if you ask me.

natural