Set words, statements or phrases with meanings other than the literal sum of their parts.
4
votes
5answers
295 views
Translation of “guilt trip”
How can I translate the concept of a "guilt trip" into Spanish? The Free Dictionary provides this definition:
guilt trip
n. Informal
A usually prolonged feeling of guilt or culpability.
...
4
votes
2answers
133 views
Is there an idiomatic equivalent in Spanish for “to have other fish to fry”
Is there an idiomatic equivalent in Spanish for “to have other fish to fry”?
have other fish to fry: "To have more important things to do"
In the two romance languages I am familiar with, this ...
3
votes
4answers
125 views
Meaning of “andar de vago(a)”
I have heard this phrase, and several similar around the word "vago", but I don't really understand what it means.
The word "vago" seems to translate directly to "vague"... But what does this sort of ...
3
votes
2answers
341 views
¿Cómo se dice, “How's it going”?
En inglés, se puede utilizar la expresión, "How's it going?" como una manera de preguntar cómo está alguien.
La frase es informal y tiene un significado similar al "¿Cómo estás?"
Sin embargo, cuando ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Translation of “ni modo”
The phrase ni modo is used in many varieties of Spanish to mean many different things. What are its possible meanings? Which meaning is most common (i.e. which meaning would you assume if ni modo was ...
3
votes
4answers
121 views
What does “alma sucia” mean?
What does it mean? I've checked the literal meaning with Google:
dirty soul
I was looking for something more elegant, that shows its tone. Is it an idiom?
2
votes
2answers
504 views
Translation of “What goes around comes around”
What is the best Spanish translation of the English idiom, What goes around comes around?
2
votes
3answers
451 views
Translation of “I rest my case”
In English, the phrase "I rest my case" can be used in a conversation by one person whose point has just been proven by the other person. In a legal sense, it would mean that a lawyer has concluded ...
2
votes
1answer
81 views
Translation of “contra viento y marea”
What is the most idiomatic English translation of the Spanish phrase contra viento y marea?
2
votes
4answers
73 views
Stir the pot, in American Spanish
What is the correct way to express this idiomatic expression? -- Stir the pot --
My goal is to say something like "she stirs the pot even more by inviting this person to her house."
I would imagine ...
2
votes
1answer
184 views
Translation of the idiom: “To wind (somebody) up”
My question is similar to that of jrdioko's "to wind up (doing something)"
However the expression I'm looking for is: "To wind (somebody) up"
I know this is an idiomatic expression so there may or ...
2
votes
1answer
68 views
Translation of “in a pickle” and related phrases
In English there are several idioms or phrases that describe being in the midst of a very difficult situation:
in a pickle
in a quandary
in a predicament
in between a rock and a hard place
How ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Translating “paying one's (final) respects”
In English, if someone visits a grave or goes to a funeral of someone who has died, we can say he is going "to pay his respects" or "to pay his last respects." While it's hard to explain what this ...
1
vote
2answers
84 views
Translation of “to play favorites”
What is the best Spanish translation of the English idiom "to play favorites" (as in favoring individuals in a group instead of treating everyone equally)?
0
votes
3answers
367 views
Interpretation of quotes or famous sayings [closed]
I know you can't translate everything directly, sometimes it doesn't make sense, specially when it comes from quotes.
What would be the best intepretation of the following quotes?:
What goes ...
0
votes
2answers
419 views
Translating “Me la paso pensándote”
In Wisin y Yandel's "Estoy Enamorado," the chorus contains the following line:
Me la paso pensándote, nunca voy a soltarte
What does "Me la paso pensándote" mean? Is "me" a reflexive or indirect ...
0
votes
1answer
80 views
How to translate “Level-Setting” [closed]
I'm a native Spanish speaker and I don't want to translate this using English/American idioms like "get everyone on the same page"
