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faire une guerre pour un bout de dentelle

English translation: go to war for a trifle

15:48 Mar 3, 2010
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Expression?
French term or phrase: faire une guerre pour un bout de dentelle
This is for a film translation. Context: Son says he's in love, mother asks who the woman is and claims she has a right to know, to which her son replies: "J'ai toujours dit qu'il y avait juste Mimi Mathieu qui pouvait faire une guerre pour un bout de dentelle." This must be an expression I'm not familiar with. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Transfusion
Local time: 02:09
English translation:go to war for a trifle
Explanation:
"I hope that you will none of you think that we shall be going to war for a trifle..."
from "The Landmark Thucydides"
Selected response from:

Travelin Ann
Local time: 02:09
Grading comment
Thanks again!



Summary of answers provided
3 +3See answer
Cecile Vidic (X)
3 +2go to war for a trifle
Travelin Ann
4much ado about nothing
Verginia Ophof


Discussion entries: 7





  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
See answer


Explanation:
It means "to start a war over nothing", to quarrel about petty points, to bicker. I wonder if "to make a mountain out of a molehill" would cover the full meaning of the French expression?

Cecile Vidic (X)
United States
Local time: 02:09
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
Notes to answerer
Asker: All good suggestions. Sorry about the delay, but I haven't yet finalized the translation, so not yet sure which answer I'll go with. Thanks, everyone!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Olga Cartlidge: or to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut
19 mins
agree  Julie Barber: yep, sounds like make a mountain out of a mole hill
18 hrs
agree  Catherine Gilsenan: to make a mountain out of a molehill
19 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
go to war for a trifle


Explanation:
"I hope that you will none of you think that we shall be going to war for a trifle..."
from "The Landmark Thucydides"


    Reference: http://tinyurl.com/ycsvkyx
Travelin Ann
Local time: 02:09
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Thanks again!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Sorry for the delay, but I haven't finalized the translation. This one seems closest to the original French, though, so definitely a good option. Thanks!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Evans (X): closer to the original but nice and clear in English
2 mins
  -> Thanks, Gilla
agree  Barbara Wiebking
17 hrs
  -> Thanks
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
much ado about nothing


Explanation:
......:)

Verginia Ophof
Belize
Local time: 00:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16
Notes to answerer
Asker: Also a good suggestion. Thanks!

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