közü qıymazğa

/køzy qɯjmazʁa/

This expression has 2 meanings.

Literal translation

for one's eye not to be cut

Intended meaning

To be unable to bring oneself to give up, spend or use something because one treasures it and wants to spare it.
  • Kertisin aythanda, ol biçenlikni, arı-beri çaba ketib, maltarğa közüm qıymaydı, alay, ne eterikse, gebenekleni qızıw uçub aylanŋan zamanlarında tutarğa kerekdi.To tell the truth, I cannot bring myself to let that hayfield be trampled by people running back and forth, but what can you do — the haycocks have to be gathered while the weather is hot.
  • Alay endi ol jarlı kişi, ahçanı jartısın jilyanŋa berirge közü qıymayın, başha jol bla ketib, igi jaşap başlağandı.But now that poor man, unwilling to part with half the money for the snake, went off by another road and began to live well.

Literal translation

for one's eye not to be cut

Intended meaning

To be unable to do something to someone or something out of pity or love for them.
  • Uğay, uğay, qarasırt tanaçıqnı, közüm qıyıb, boyununa biçaq salallıq tüyülme! Soyarça meni malım joqdu, – dedi Çıppık."No, no, I could never bring myself to put a knife to the throat of the dark-backed little calf! I have no livestock to slaughter," said Chyppyk.

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