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#4404510 - 02/10/18 03:09 PM Idioms  
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Every language has its idioms, or phrases/sayings that mean something other than the words used in them. Probably the most common English-language idiom (it could just be American English) is “it’s raining cats & dogs,” which means it’s raining very hard. (I don’t believe that internet stuff about cats & dogs living in thatched roofs.) In 8th-grade French class I learned that the equivalent French idiom is “il pleut des cordes,” or “it's raining ropes,” which is visually more accurate than the American idiom.

One I’ve heard before and that I particularly like is the French idiom “entre chien et loup,” or “between dog and wolf.” It means “twilight,” when the quality of light is such that you can’t tell the difference between a dog and a wolf. Just another example of how much more expressive other languages besides English can be, at least IMO.

So, what are some idioms you like or find particularly expressive/poetic?


Phil

“The biggest problem people have is they don’t think they’re supposed to have problems.” - Hayes Barnard
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#4404511 - 02/10/18 03:18 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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I think you're barking up the wrong tree with this one NH2112 smile


EV's are the Devils matchbox.
#4404513 - 02/10/18 03:24 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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Lifer

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Makes about as much sense as last years birds nest.


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#4404514 - 02/10/18 03:25 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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This is way out in left field.


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#4404516 - 02/10/18 03:38 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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My father used to say, "It's raining "pitchforks and hammer handles."

#4404517 - 02/10/18 03:42 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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We haven't had measurable rain in nearly four months. It's drier than a pop-corn fart around here.


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#4404519 - 02/10/18 04:13 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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finlander Offline
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I haven't heard that since the 70s...

#4404520 - 02/10/18 04:25 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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This stinks worse than an anchovy skunk!


Phil

“The biggest problem people have is they don’t think they’re supposed to have problems.” - Hayes Barnard
#4404527 - 02/10/18 04:53 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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Ice Cold in Alex or Eating in ...
To continue with the rain theme: It's coming down like stair rods


Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil
Sons of the hound come here and get flesh
Clan Cameron
#4404528 - 02/10/18 04:54 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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Only one I know is "Laissez les bons temps rouler" (Lay say lay bohn tohn roo lay), I have it written across one of my nicer t-shirts. "Let the good times roll."

Recently learned that "La Petite Coquette" means "The Little Flirt" (lingerie boutique), I thought maybe it had something to do with croissants (ap-petite).

EDIT: Looked up "idiom", scratch that.

Last edited by MarkG; 02/10/18 05:17 PM.


The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4404530 - 02/10/18 05:03 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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Alicatt Offline
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Ice Cold in Alex or Eating in ...
Here in Belgium they use quite a lot of idioms

To walk over one night's ice: to be a bit very hasty in what you are doing

to walk beside your shoes: to think that you are better than you are.

To fall in the house with the door: without warning saying what you are actually thinking

If the cat is not there then the mice dance on the table: If the parents are not home then the children get up to mischief.

Edit: Wife corrected me on the one night's ice biggrin

Last edited by Alicatt; 02/10/18 05:05 PM.

Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil
Sons of the hound come here and get flesh
Clan Cameron
#4404533 - 02/10/18 05:14 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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The Bayou
Ok, maybe this works...

Hold your horses = be patient.
Enjoying my old stomping grounds = enjoying where I use to hang out a long time ago.



The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in
Gives way and suddenly it’s day again
The sun is in the east
Even though the day is done
Two suns in the sunset, hmph
Could be the human race is run
#4404534 - 02/10/18 05:15 PM Re: Idioms [Re: Alicatt]  
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- Ice Offline
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Originally Posted by Alicatt
one night's ice biggrin

That just sounds naughty.... biggrin


- Ice
#4404538 - 02/10/18 05:48 PM Re: Idioms [Re: finlander]  
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Originally Posted by finlander
My father used to say, "It's raining "pitchforks and hammer handles."


Apparently in Wales they say "Mae hi'n bwrw hen wragedd a ffyn", which translates as "It's raining old ladies and sticks".

It you want really weird idioms though, try explaining to a non-English-speaker what 'now then' means...

#4404545 - 02/10/18 06:29 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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As stunned as a bag of hammers.


Archie Smythe

carpe diem
#4404549 - 02/10/18 06:44 PM Re: Idioms [Re: No105_Archie]  
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Originally Posted by No105_Archie
As stunned as a bag of hammers.



I've heard similar: dumb as a bag of hammers. Also dumb as a box of rocks.


"In the vast library of socialist books, there’s not a single volume on how to create wealth, only how to take and “redistribute” it.” - David Horowitz
#4404550 - 02/10/18 06:45 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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Ice Cold in Alex or Eating in ...
As useful as chocolate fireguard / hammer - one of my workmates always was using that expression

Na'er cast a clout til may's oot; useful advice in the North of Scotland biggrin


Chlanna nan con thigibh a so's gheibh sibh feoil
Sons of the hound come here and get flesh
Clan Cameron
#4404554 - 02/10/18 06:51 PM Re: Idioms [Re: F4UDash4]  
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Originally Posted by F4UDash4
Originally Posted by No105_Archie
As stunned as a bag of hammers.



I've heard similar: dumb as a bag of hammers. Also dumb as a box of rocks.


My favorite, along those lines, is from Foghorn Leghorn (at least that is where I first heard it).

"Sharp as a bowling ball!"


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#4404560 - 02/10/18 07:07 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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Lifer

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My German Oma used to say, "Du gehst mir aufs Knerzel." This means basically the same as "You get on my nerves," except it transliterates to "You get on my bread heel" where the heel of a bread loaf is your rear end. Of course, Germans also say, "Du gehst mir auf die Nerven" which actually means "You get on my nerves."

Last edited by letterboy1; 02/10/18 07:09 PM.

The issue is not p*ssy. The issue is monkey.
#4404563 - 02/10/18 07:16 PM Re: Idioms [Re: NH2112]  
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letterboy1 Offline
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Lifer

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Columbus, GA USA
Here's another German one - "Du hast wohl nicht alle Tassen im Schrank." It means "You don't have all your cups in the cupboard." In other words, you ain't right in the head. It was used for this short cartoon featuring the monkey and the horse (when I was growing up they would show them in little clips between commercials).


The issue is not p*ssy. The issue is monkey.
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