This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Spanish to English
  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

\"El hace el pendejo para que lo carguen\"

English translation: He plays dumb/the fool so that they'll let him off the hook

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:\"El hace el pendejo para que lo carguen\"
English translation:He plays dumb/the fool so that they'll let him off the hook
Entered by: Andre Dumoulin

23:11 Aug 26, 2016
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2016-08-29 23:54:52 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Spanish term or phrase: \"El hace el pendejo para que lo carguen\"
En Panamá, los funcionarios acusados de corrupción, una vez inculpados, se descubren grave enfermedades para no enfrentar la justicia.
Una de las expresiones al respecto es "El hace el pendejo para que lo carguen" ...También se usa para los estudiantes que se hacen los estúpidos para que los docentes no le hagan preguntas un poco difíciles.
No encuentro un equivalente en ingles...
Andre Dumoulin
Panama
Local time: 22:48
He plays dumb/the fool so that they'll let him off the hook
Explanation:
That's the idea here, IMO, it's literally "so that they'll carry him" or "so they'll carry his burden".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 33 mins (2016-08-26 23:44:22 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Some of us may remember something like this happening in the case of Ronald Reagan and the Iran-Contra scandal.
Selected response from:

Robert Carter
Mexico
Local time: 21:48
Grading comment
Thank you! I agree.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6He plays dumb/the fool so that they'll let him off the hook
Robert Carter
4he pretends to be stupid so they won't charge him
David Hollywood
3he plays the fool/acts like an idiot/stupid so that they feel compelled to put their foot down
Barbara Cochran, MFA


  

Answers


10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
he plays the fool/acts like an idiot/stupid so that they feel compelled to put their foot down


Explanation:
So that they have to get strict with him, or crack down on him, so that he will perform at a higher level, academically speaking.

Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 23:48
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Robert Carter: Sorry, but it's precisely the opposite, Barbara, they're pretending to be ill to avoid jail time. It happened in Mexico recently in the case of Elba Esther Gordillo.
19 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

26 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
He plays dumb/the fool so that they'll let him off the hook


Explanation:
That's the idea here, IMO, it's literally "so that they'll carry him" or "so they'll carry his burden".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 33 mins (2016-08-26 23:44:22 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Some of us may remember something like this happening in the case of Ronald Reagan and the Iran-Contra scandal.

Robert Carter
Mexico
Local time: 21:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 32
Grading comment
Thank you! I agree.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Davis: Or maybe the meaning is to treat him with indulgence, not be hard on him (or give him a hard time): "V. 1. tr. Ni, PR, Ve. Tolerar, sufrir, llevar con paciencia algo o a alguien. pop." (Dic. americanismos, s.v. cargar).
37 mins
  -> Interesting Charles, "cargar" in the sense of "soportar" (put up with), that didn't occur to me. Thanks!
agree  lorenab23: :-)
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Lorena :-)
agree  Carol Gullidge: Or go easy on him, perhaps. And it worked spectacularly for Pinochet...
6 hrs
  -> Yes, the Pinochet case is a prime example of playing the "ill health" card. Thanks, Carol.
agree  AllegroTrans
10 hrs
  -> Thanks, AllegroTrans.
agree  JohnMcDove: Shadows of Krabat... ;-) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krabat_(novel)
23 hrs
  -> Thanks, John, interesting, not one I was familiar with.
agree  Clarkalo
1 day 18 hrs
  -> Thanks, Clarkalo.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

53 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
he pretends to be stupid so they won't charge him


Explanation:
that's the meaning

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 55 mins (2016-08-27 00:06:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

very common

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 55 mins (2016-08-27 00:06:37 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

sadly

David Hollywood
Local time: 00:48
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 72
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search