to bend over backwards = (to) try one’s hardest, (to) do one’s best.
Meaning
(to) Bend over backwards means to strive hard, to do one’s utmost to achieve something. move heaven and earth. (to) try one’s hardest, (to) do one’s best.
Examples
They have bent over backwards to adapt small business to the new circumstances, and now they are selling online.
John bent over backwards for her sister when she was in trouble.
(to) bend over backwards in Catalan
There is a very idiomatic expresssion in Catalan that means exactly the same: fer mans i mĂ nigues (literally, to do hands and sleeves).
(to) bend over backwards in French
In French, we can say se mettre en quatre, se plier en quatre, o se couper en quatre (which literally means to bent backwards)
(to) bend over backwards in German
In German sich ein Bein ausreiĂen (which literaly means to pluck one’s leg)
(to) bend over backwards in Italian
In Italian it is farsi in quattro (which literally means bent backwards)
(to) bend over backwards in Portuguese
In Portuguese it is fazer de tudo (which literally means “to do everything”)
(to) bend over backwards in Spanish
In Spanish you can say Hacer lo imposible (which literally means to do the impossible)
Slang is a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal are more common in speech than writing, even though some writers use it a lot.
Absobloodylutely
Absobloodylutely in Catalan: oi tant; i tant!; Ja ho pots ben dir; ja hi pots pujar de peus… Even efectiviwonder.
Tocat del Bolet (Nuts) is a blog that aims to promote and share Catalan language and culture throughout its most typical expressions, in a fun and informative way.
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English language idioms illustrated and translated to other languages
An idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g. over the hill, at the drop of a hat ). Here is a list of the most popular idioms in English translated to other languages and illustrated, some of them with a touch of humour. Enjoy yourself!
Add insult to injury
(to) Add insult to injury = to make a bad situation even worse Catalan: according to the context, it may translate to per si no fos prou, ficar el dit a la llaga or per acabar-ho d’arrodonir/d’adobar (said ironically) French: pour couronner le tout Galician: AĂnda por riba German: Salz in die Wunde streuen Spanish: Para colmo de males
A little bird told me
A Little bird told me = someone gave me a piece of information about something that is supposed to be secret Catalan: Un ocellet m’ha dit… French: mon petit doigt mâa dit Spanish: Un pajarito me ha dicho.
All ears
(to be) All ears = (to) listen actively Catalan: sĂłc tot orelles French: tout ouĂŻe German: Ich bin ganz Ohr Italian: tutto orecchie Portuguese: todo ouvidos Spanish: todo oĂdos
An arm and a leg
(to cost) An arm and a leg = very expensive Catalan: costar un ull de la cara French: coĂ»ter les yeux de la tĂȘte German: eine Stange Geld kosten Italian: Costare un occhio della testa Spanish: Costar un riñón
A needle in a haystack
A needle in a haystack = something that is almost impossible to find because it is hidden among so many other things. Catalan: una agulla en un paller French: chercher une aiguille dans une botte de foin German: Nadel im Heuhaufen Italian: ago in un pagliaio Macedonian: ĐžÌгла ĐČĐŸ ŃŃĐŸĐł ŃĐ”ÌĐœĐŸ Portuguese: agulha num palheiro Spanish: Aguja en un pajar
A short fuse = have a tendency to lose one’s temper quickly, to have a short temper Catalan: ser de sang calenta French: se mettre en rogne facilement German: jĂ€hzornig sein Spanish: de sangre caliente.
If you need help, just call me. I can come at the drop of a hat.
Bite the bullet
(to) bite the bullet in Catalan: fer el cor fort French: Serrer les dents, trouver le courage de faire [qch] German: die Kröte schlucken Italian: farsi cuore Portuguese: Cerrar os dentes Spanish: Hacer de tripas corazón
Butterflies in my stomach = to be uneasy, nervous Catalan = tenir papallones a la panxa French: avoir le trac Spanish: tener mariposas en el estĂłmago German: Schmetterlinge im Bauch haben Spanish: mariposas en el estĂłmago
Back to the drawing board
Back to the drawing board = to start again or try another idea. It is similar to Back to square one or to start from scratch Catalan: sant tornem-hi French: parler pour ne rien dire German: Fangen wir noch mal von vorne an Spanish: volver a la casilla de salida
(to) Bark up the wrong tree = to have a wrong idea Catalan: errar el tret, anar desencaminat French: faire fausse route, se mettre le doigt dans l’Ćil, miser sur le mauvais cheval German: auf dem Holzweg sein Portuguese: bater Ă porta errada, bater na porta errada Spanish: llamar a la puerta equivocada, errar el tiro.
Beat around the bush
(to) beat around the bush = to avoid talking about what is really important and instead talk about other things Catalan: anar-se’n per les branques French: tourner autour du pot German: um den heiĂen Brei herumreden Italian: menare il can per l’aia Spanish: andarse con rodeos
Bend over backwards
(to) bend over backwards= make every effort to achieve something, especially to be helpful Catalan: fer mans i mĂ nigues French: Se mettre en quatre German: sich ein Bein ausreiĂen Italian: farsi in quattro Spanish: remover cielo y tierra
(to) Blow smoke = (to) deliberately confuse or deceive Catalan: Marejar la perdiu French: parler pour ne rien dire German: jdm. etwas vormachen Spanish: marear la perdiz
Break a leg!
Break a leg! = have luck (said to actors before they go on stage) Catalan: molta merda! French: Je te dis merde! German: Hals- und Beinbruch! Italian: in bocca al lupo! Portuguese: Merda! Spanish: ÂĄMucha mierda!
Bundle of nerves
Bundle of nerves = somebody who is extremely anxious or tense. Catalan: un sac de nervis Basque: Buru gabeko oiloak bezala gabiltza Gaelic Irish: bheith an-neirbhĂseach French: un paquet de nerfs German: ein BĂŒndel Nerven Italian: un fascio di nervi Portuguese: uma pilha de nervos Mandarin Chinese: çŽ§ćŒ äžćźçäșș Russian: ĐșĐ»ŃĐ±ĐŸĐș ĐœĐ”ŃĐČĐŸĐČ
By the skin of your teeth
By the skin of your teeth = by a very narrow margin; only just Catalan: pels pĂšls French: de justesse; (colloquial) dâun poil German: mit Ach und Krach Italian: per un pelo Scottish Gaelic: air Ăšiginn Spanish: por los pelos
Cat got your tongue?
Cat got your tongue? = expression used to ask someone why they are not saying anything Catalan: Que se t’ha menjat la llengua el gat? Chinese: äœ æäșćć·ŽäșćïŒ(literally, have you become dumb?) German: Du hast wohl die Sprache verloren? Italian: Il gatto ti ha mangiato la lingua? Russian: ŃĐ·ŃÌĐș ĐżŃĐŸĐłĐ»ĐŸŃĐžÌĐ»? (literally, âdid you swallow your tongue?â) Spanish: ÂżTe ha comido la lengua el gato?
(to get) Cold feet
Fer-se enrere, acollonir-se (CAT); Ătre moins chaud pour qch (FR); kalte FĂŒĂe bekommen (GE) Echarse atrĂĄs, acojonarse (SP)
Crying wolf
Crying wolf : someone who continues asking for help when they don’t really need it, with the result that people think they don’t need help when they actually need it. Catalan: que ve el llop! Queixar-se per no-res. Plora-miques. French: crier au loup Spanish: Que viene el lobo.
Cut some slack
Cut someone some slack : to give some some leeway in their conduct. Catalan: donar una mica de marge French: grappe Ă [qqn] (colloquial); ĂȘtre indulgent envers [qqn] German: mit jdm. nachsichtig sein Spanish: dar cuartelillo.
Draw the line
(to) Draw the line: to set a limit on what you are willing to do or accept. Catalan: marcar una lĂnia vermella. French: tracer un trait German: einen Trennungsstrich ziehen zwischen Spanish: poner lĂmites
Fish out of water = to feel uncomfortable in a situation Catalan: peix fora de l’aigua French: Poisson hors de lâeau German: fehl am Platz Spanish: Pez fuera del agua (SP)
Gift of tongues
Gift of tongues = to be gifted for languages Catalan: (tenir) Do de llengĂŒes
Get goosebumps
(to) get goosebumps = the body hair stands on end as the result of an intense feeling Catalan: pell de gallina French: Avoir la chair de poule Spanish: Ponerse la piel de gallina German: Ich bekam eine GĂ€nsehaut. (I got goosebumps) Italian: venire la pelle dâoca. Portuguese: arrepiar-se Basque: oilo-ipurdi.
Go the extra mile
(to) Go the extra mile = to make an extra effort. Catalan: fer un esforç extra. French: Se mettre en quatre German: noch einen Schritt weiter gehen Spanish: hacer un esfuerzo extra
Hit the books
(to) Hit the books = to study Catalan: fer colzes French: potasser German: die Nase in die BĂŒcher stecken Spanish: empollar; estudiar
(to) hit the books
Hit the sack / hay / bed
(to) Hit the sack / hay / bed = go to bed Catalan: Anar a dormir, anar a clapar, a fer nones French: Se pieuter German: ins Bett gehen sich in die Falle hauen Italian: assopirsi, appisolarsi Spanish: Irse al sobre; irse a la cama
A hot potato = controversial issue or situation which is awkward to deal with, so everybody is trying to avoid it. Catalan: Patata calenta. French: une patate chaude German: heiĂes Eisen n Spanish: patata caliente
In the nick of time = Just in time Catalan: just a temps French: juste-Ă -temps German: in der allerletzten Sekunde Portuguese: No Ășltimo instante Spanish: en el Ășltimo momento
In touch
(to keep) In touch = to be in communication with someone and get up-to-date knowledge Catalan: en contacte French: ĂȘtre/ rester en contact German: mit jdm./etw. in Kontakt stehen Portuguese: em contacto Spanish: en contacto
Like two peas in a pod = very similar Catalan: com dues gotes d’aigua French: Comme deux gouttes d’eau German: ein Ei dem anderen Romanian: ca douÄ picÄturi de apÄ Portuguese: cara de um, focinho de outro Spanish: como dos gotas de agua
Once in a blue moon = very rarely Catalan: Molt de tant en tant German: alle Jubeljahre einmal French: tous les trente-six du mois German: alle Jubeljahre einmal Spanish: Raras veces, cada muerte de obispo.
(to) put my two cents / (to) put in my two-penny worth used to preface a tentative statement of one’s opinion Catalan: dir la meva/seva/nostra/vostra French: mes deux cents (my two cents), grain de sel German: seinen Senf dazugeben Spanish: decir algo
(to) Take it easy = Calm down, keep your hair on Catalan: (pren-t’ho amb) calma, trankiChinese (Mandarin): äŒæŻ (zh) (xiĆ«xi) Galician: relaxar German: sich entspannen Portuguese: sossegar Russian: ŃĐ°ŃŃлаблŃÌŃŃŃŃ (ru) impf (rasslabljĂĄtÊčsja), ŃĐ°ŃŃлаÌбОŃŃŃŃ (ru) pf (rasslĂĄbitÊčsja) Scottish Gaelic: gabh socair Spanish: (tĂłmatelo con) calma, tranquilo/a, tranki
Under the weather
Under the weather = slightly unwell or in low spirits. Catalan: estar moix , no estar fi/na French: ne pas ĂȘtre dans son assiette Galician: indisposto German: angeschlagen Italian: indisposto Spanish: indispuesto, pachucho.
(to) walk on eggshells: (to) be extremely cautious about one’s words or actions Catalan: Anar amb peus de plom French: Marcher sur des Ćufs German: wie auf Eiern gehen Spanish: Andarse con cuidado
It’s not my cup of tea. Definition, examples and equivalents in other languages.
You say that something is not your cup of tea when it is unconvincing or fails to satisfy. It is mostly used in the negative form, but you can also use it in the positive form to say that you like something. An equivalent expression in English is It doesn’t float my boat. You can say it in positive (for instance, Ok, whatever floats your boat) or in the negative form.
Examples
Football is not my cup of tea, but my brother loves it.
Rococo staircases are not my cup of tea.
Hip Hop is much more my cup of tea than techno music.
It is not my cup of tea in other languages.
It is not my cup of tea in Catalan
In Catalan, a very usual and idiomatic equivalent expression for It is not my cup of tea is No em fa el pes (literally, it doesn’t do me the weight) or No m’acaba de fer el pes (literally, It fails to do me the weight). Yeah, we know it sounds weird, but it is quite widespread.
It is not my cup of tea in (Mandarin) Chinese
The equivalent idiom in Mandarin Chinese is äžæŻæçè (literally, This is not my dish).
It is not my cup of tea in Czech
In Czech you can say NenĂ to mĆŻj ĆĄĂĄlek kĂĄvy/Äaje (literally, It’s not my cup of coffee/tea).
In German you can say Das ist nicht mein Ding (literally, It is not my thing).
It is not my cup of tea in Italian
In Italian you can say Non fa per me (literally, it does not do for me). It is very similar to the Catalan expression No fa per mi. Other expressions in Italian you may use to express the same idea are Non Ăš il mio genere (literally, It is not my genre), Non Ăš il mio forte (Informal, literally, It is not my strength), Non Ăš roba per me (colloquial and slightly regional, literally, These are not clothes for me), Non Ăš di mio gradimento (formal, literally, It is not my liking), Non Ăš di mio gusto (formal, literally, It is not of my taste).
It is not my cup of tea in Japanese
In Japanese you can say ć„œăżă§ăŻăȘă (pronounced Konomide wanai, literally, It doesnÂŽt enter my ki).
It is not my cup of tea in Malay
In Malai language you can say Bukan bidang aku la (literally, not my field).
It is not my cup of tea in Russian is ĐŃĐŸ ĐœĐ” ĐŒĐŸŃ / ĐŃĐŸ ĐœĐ” ĐČ ĐŒĐŸŃĐŒ ĐČĐșŃŃĐ”, pronounced Eto ne moyo / Eto ne v moyom vkuse (Literally: It’s not mine / It’s not to my liking).
It is not my cup of tea in Spanish
In Spanish you may say No es santo de mi devotiĂłn (literally, He is not a saint of my devotion) or No es plato de mi gusto (literally, It is not a dish of my taste *).
And that’s pretty much it. Thank you for visiting Nuts (Tocat del Bolet)!
Jeepers creepers. Meaning. Examples. Jeepers creepers in other languages.
Meaning
Jeepers Creepers or just jeepers or creepers is an expression of surprise or annoyance derived from Jesus Christ. You use this exclamation especially if there are kids around or you are from the 1950s. It is similar to Darn it!
In French you can say zut⯠(literally, cursed, although its meaning can vary considerably depending on the context), Mille misĂšres! (literally, athousand miseries!), or even the multi-purpose Merde! “(Literally, shit! ).
Jeepers creepers in German
In German you can use Mensch! (Literally, “man!”), which is an exclamation of surprise.
Jeepers creepers in Italian
In Italian you can say Capperacci (something along the lines of Jeepers creepers or Damn it), or Cavoli! (literally, sprouts!). For example: Capperacci, sober ubriaco! (Jeepers Creepers, I’m drunk!).
Jeepers creepers in Mandarin Chinese
In Mandarin Chinese you can say  ćć (pronounced tiÄn nÇ, Äiy Ä, which is used to express astonishment and translates literally as oh, God!). For example: ćć, çç éœ ć çč äș! æ èŠ æ äș! (Jeepers creepers! Look at the time! I’m late!).
Jeepers creepers in Portuguese
In Portuguese we can say carpa or eh pĂĄ! which are also expressions of surprise or annoyance.
Jeepers creepers in Spanish
In Spanish you can say ÂĄCĂłrcholis!,ÂĄRecĂłrcholis!,ÂĄMecachis! ¥Carajo!… And also ÂĄCaray! O ÂĄCĂĄsita! For instance: RecĂłrcholis, ÂĄno hay manera! (Jeepers creepers, there’s no way to do it!).
Animal idioms illustrated and translated to Catalan
Ants in one’s pants
(to) be restless, uneasy. Catalan: un sac de nervis (literally, a bag of nerves).
Red herring
A misleading clue or piece of information. Catalan: pista falsa (literally, false clue).
(the) birds and the bees
Sex education. Catalan: la cigonya (literally, the stork)
White elephant
An unwated or annoying possession. Catalan: Regal enverinat (literally, poisoned gift)
… And while we’re at it, some jokes about elephants:
What did the elephant say to a naked man? Hey that’s cute but can you breath through it? What’s grey, stands in a river when it rains and doesn’t get wet? An elephant with an umbrella! Why does an elephant wear sneakers? So that he can sneak up on mice!
Cat nap
A short sleep. Catalan: fer una becaina (literally, to take a nap)
As happy as a clam
Very happy. Catalan: content com un gĂnjol (literally, happy as a jujube).
Fishy
Odd, strange, suspicious. Catalan: (hi ha) gat amagat (literally, there’s a hidden cat here).
While we’re at it, a fish joke:
What did the fish say when he posted bail? “I’m off the hook!”
One trick pony
Someone who has only one ability or good quality . Catalan: there is no equivalent, the literal translation is Poni d’un sol truc.
A different kettle of fish
A completely different thing, topic or subject (very similar to a horse of a different colour). Catalan: figues d’un altre paner (literally, figs from another pannier or basket)
A horse of a different color
A completely different thing, topic or subject (very similar to a different kettle of fish). Catalan: figues d’un altre paner (literally, figs from another pannier or basket).
A guinea pig
Someone used as part of an experiment or trial. Catalan: conillet d’indies)
While we are are it, here is a joke about guinea pigs…
Q: When do guinea pigs run away from rain? A: When its raining cats and dogs!
Weasel out
(to) abandon their responsibility or commitment in a way that is sneaky or cowardly. Catalan: escaquejar-se (colloquial, literally, to cop out).
While we are at it, here is a joke about weasels:
A 13 year old weasel walks into a bar and approaches the counter. The bartender immediately notices the underage weasel. “Sir, you look extremely young. I can’t serve you even a single beer.” “Oh c’mon. You can’t just slide me one?” “Can’t and will not serve to anyone under age.” “Fine. Well what other things do you have?” “Well for non-alcoholics I have tap water and bottled water, I have coffee, and I have pop. Which would you like?” “Pop.” Goes the weasel.
Wouldn’t hurt a fly
A very peaceful and non-violent person. Catalan: No li faria mal a una mosca (literally, wouldn’t hurt a fly).
While we’re at it, here is two jokes about flies:
What is the difference between a fly and a bird? A bird can fly but a fly can’t bird!
What do you call a fly that is ill? Answer: The flew
Mad as a hornet
Extremely angry or upset. Catalan: empipat com una mona (angry as a monkey).
I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!
Also Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! Used to express complete surprise, amazement or disbelief . Catalan: N’hi ha per a llogar-hi cadires (literally, there is to rent chairs!) or Me’n faig creus (literally, I make myself crosses).
A cock-and-bull story
An exaggerated or falsified story or explanation. Catalan: un sopar de duro (literally, a one coin dinner).
Meaning. Examples. Equivalents in other languages.
Meaning
You can’t get blood out of a stone or You can’t get blood from a stone means that it is pointless to expect positive results from someone or something that doesn’t have the will, the ability or the resources.
Examples
Persuading Mary to come to the party is like getting blood from a stone.
Getting him to come clean is like trying to get blood out of a stone.
You can’t get blood out of a stone in Catalan
You can’t get blood out of a stone in French
C’est comme se heurter Ă un mur (literally, It’s like hitting your head against a wall).
You can’t get blood out of a stone in Irish Gaelic
Is doiligh olann a bhaint de ghabhar ( literally, itâs hard to get wool off a goat).
Nuts meaning, examples, synonyms. Nuts in other languages.
Meaning
Nuts, in a figurative sense, means to be crazy or foolish. You can go nuts (go crazy) or something can drive you nuts (crazy). It also means to be very enthusiastic about something.
She went nuts when she won the lottery. He lost all the money just one year after.
I sometimes go nuts when people touch my stuff.
I’mnuts about boardgames, specially Settlers of Catan.
Nuts in Catalan
In Catalan you can say tocat del bolet (literally,touched by a mushroom) for Nuts or estar tocat del bolet for (to) be nuts. You can also say et falta un bull (literally, you lack a boil) or estĂ s com un llum (literally, you are like a light) or even estĂ s com una cabra (literally, you are like a goat).
Nuts in Basque language
In Basque language we have a number of choices: burutik eginda egon, (burutik) jota egon, (burutik) eraginda egon, (burutik) ondo egon ez, (burutik) sano egon ez, harrikadea euki/harrikada eduki (hum.), ganbaratik ondo egon ez (hum.), burua pitzatuta eduki, zoratuta egon.
In Italian, there is the expression Passo. For instance, No, allora sĂŹ che crederanno davvero che sono pazzo (Now they will think that I’ve really gone nuts).
Nuts in Irish Gaelic
Depending on the context, in Irish Gaelic nuts can be:
(to) be nuts in German is Spinnen (informal): (to) go nuts is durchdrehen or anfangen zu spinnen.
Nuts in Scottish Gaelic
In Scots Gaelic, Nuts is CnĂłthan(as in nuts/bolts; walnuts etc.) As in crazy/nuts, craicte.
Nuts in Spanish
In Spanish you can say estar como un cencerro (literally, to be like a cowbell). You can also say chiflado (loony, whacky) or estar como unacabra (literally, to be like a goat).
(to) sleep like a log: meaning, synonyms, example and translations to other languages
Meaning
(to) sleep like a log means to sleep like a baby, like a rock, like a top… that is to say, to sleep heavily, long and without disturbance.
Example
You slept like a log. You didn’t even hear the storm.
(to) sleep like a log in Catalan
In Catalan you can say either Dormir com un tronc (literally, to sleep like a log) or Dormir com un soc (literally, to sleep like a stump). You can also say Dormir com un bebĂš (to sleep like a baby).
(to) sleep like a log in French
In French it is Dormir comme un loir (literally, to sleep like a dormouse). A dormouse is a rodent of the family Gliridae that likes sleeping very much.
Dormouse
(to) sleep like a log in Portuguese
In Portuguese, like in English, there is the idiom Dormir como uma pedra (literally, to sleep like a rock).
