A fussy, fusspot or fussbudget person is someone who gives excessive or anxious concern about details and worries or complains about unimportant things. They sometimes may be a pain in the ass.
Examples of Fusspot
She’s so fussy about the wedding! – everything has to be absolutely perfect.
This technician is a fusspot, but his films come out impeccably edited.
He is a fussy eater.
Origin of Fusspot
It comes from fuss (to worry or complain about trifles), of uncertain origin, perhaps an echoic word. Earliest documented use in 1921.
Fusspot in Catalan
Fusspot in French
Fusspot is pinailleur or difficil in French . A more derogatory French term is chiant.
Fusspot in Spanish
In Spanish (from Spain), Fusspot is tiquismiquis .
Depending on the context it can mean 1) (to) pull (one’s) chestnuts out of the fire, to save one from some difficult or precarious situation or 2) (to) pull someone’s chestnuts out of the fire. or (to) pull someone’s chestnuts out of the fire, to succeed in a hazardous undertaking for someone else’s benefit.
(to) pull one’s chestnuts out of the fire in Catalan
Treure’s les castanyes del foc.
(to) pull one’s chestnuts out of the fire in French
Tirer les marrons du feu
(to) pull one’s chestnuts out of the fire in Spanish
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)
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.
(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.
(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!).
Sayings. Good things come in small packages. Meaning and example. Good things come in small packages in other languages.
Meaning
When someone says Good / Best / Big / The best things come in small packages they mean that even though something may be small, it is of better quality than big things. So the bottom line is that things should not be underestimated because of their small size.
Example
At the end of the day, little things, such as gathering rosebuds, is what bring meaning back into my life. You know, good things come in small packages.
Good things come in small packages in Basque language
Lurrin ona flasko txikietan saltzen da (literally, a good perfume is sold in small bottles).
Good things come in small packages in Catalan
Al pot petit hi ha la bona confitura (literally, the good jam is in the small jar).
Good things come in small packages in (Mandarin) Chinese
ć„œæ±è„żäžćšćé 性 (pronounced HÇo dĆngxÄ« bĂčzĂ i gĂštĂłu dĂ ; literally Small things are big) .
Good things come in small packages in French
Tout ce qui est petit est mignon (literally, All that is small is nice); also Dans les petites boĂźtes, les bons onguents (literally, Inside the small boxes, the good ointents).
Good things come in small packages in Galician language
List of the most annoying daily setbacks and nuisances that really grind my gears
(to) grind one’s gears meaning
(to) grind one’s gears is an American English idiom meaning that something or someone makes you angry or annoys you. This idiom was recently popularized by fictional character Peter Griffin, the main character of the American animated sitcom Family Guy.
What really grinds my gears
Here is a list of the everyday situations, setbacks, misfortunes and twists that really grind my gears, or annoy me to such an extreme that really salt my apples or make me blow a fuse, blow a gasket, blow my top… Well, you know what I mean.
I’m not a short fuse, I’m not specially quick to temper… but even though they may seem small details, trifles, or if you like, trivialities, they really manage to get on my nerves. Just imagine they all happen the same day… believe me, it could end up badly. Yeah, even a model citizen could end up losing their head and behaving like Michael Douglas in Falling Down.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at these annoying and inconvenient daily setbacks:
List of things that grind my gears
When you are in bed, as snug as a bug in a rug, and suddenly remember that you left the washing machine on, so you need to get up and hang up clothes.
The washing machine!
When the earphone cables get tangled and you need to spend your valuable time untangling the fu***ng mess.
When you step on a dog turd when heading to an important appointment or, even worse, a romantic date.
Spoilers… I just hate them! They should know that loose lips sink ships.
When you realize, after taking a shower, you didn’t take the towel (specially annoying in winter).
When you can’t escape from a smart-ass who happens to be a relative and you run out of painkillers.
What a drag! What a headache!
When you placidly conclude your digestive process and find out there isn’t any toilet paper left.
Shit!
When egg yolks pop out when frying. However hard you try to disguise your blunder, everybody will notice.
When your shoes and, even worse, your socks get wet on a cold and rainy winter day. It only adds insult to injury if you happen to be on your way to work and you are late. You know… It never rains but it pours.
Oh, no!
When you forget to save the files you have been working so hard on.
What about you? What grinds your gears? Mosquitoes? Rude people? Reckless drivers? Cooking oil spilled out on the kitchen floor? Let us know.
Thank you for you visit. We look forward to seeing you around soon.
Synonyms of (to) grind one’s gears meaning
There are several synonyms of this expressions, such as (to) irritate, (to) annoy, (to) be like a bear with a sore head, (to) blow a fuse, (to) blow a gasket, (to) blow your top, (to be) be cheesed off, (to) drive someone up the wall, (to) fly off the handle, (to) get someone’s goat
(to) Grind one’s gears in other languages
(to) grind one’s gears in Catalan: Treure de polleguera (to) grind one’s gears in French: faire sortir quelquâun de ses gonds (to) grind one’s gears in German: wahnsinnig machen (to) grind one’s gears in Spanish: sacar de quicio
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).
