άψε-σβύσε

English translation: in a jiffy, in no time

12:51 Mar 25, 2006

Greek to English translations [PRO]
Other

Greek term or phrase: άψε-σβύσε

Greetings,
The term άψε-σβύσε literally would seem to mean "fasten-extinguish" (if it’s from the verbs άπτω and σβύνω), but I remember it was the title of a newspaper column.
Why such a name, please? Would άψε-λύσε perhaps make more sense?
Cheers,
Simon

SeiTT KudoZ activity Questions: 3738 (none open) (1 without valid answers) (9 closed without grading) Answers: 1 United Kingdom
Local time: 15:49

English translation:in a jiffy, in no time

Explanation:
In a jiffy
If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly.
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/i.html
And no, άψε-λύσε would not be a better title. There's no such expression. Here's a bit more about the expression:
εν τω άμα και το θάμα = στο άψε σβήσε, ταχύτατα, στη στιγμή
Τι είσαι εσύ! Εν τω άμακαιτοθάμα!Ούτε στιγμή δεν καθυστέρησες
Κ2 2
http://www.ucy.ac.cy/conferences/eleto/dotikes02.htm
:-)

Selected response from:

Elena Petelos
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:49

Grading comment

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +7

in a jiffy, in no time

Elena Petelos

4 +6

in a flash

Nick Lingris

4 +1

in no time/at short notice/in a twinkling/at the drop of a hat/in a brace of shakes

Assimina Vavoula

Answers

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +6

στο άψε-σβήσε in a flash

Explanation:
The complete phrase in its modern spelling is "στο άψε σβήσε", and it means in a twinkling of an eye, in a flash, in no time at all.

That column must have included quick comments about the news, I suppose.

Nick Lingris
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:49
Works in field
Native speaker of:

Greek
PRO pts in category: 204

8 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +7

άψε-σβήσε

in a jiffy, in no time

Elena Petelos
United Kingdom
Local time: 15:49
Native speaker of: Greek
PRO pts in category: 40

2 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

in no time/at short notice/in a twinkling/at the drop of a hat/in a brace of shakes

Explanation:
D.N. STAVROPOULOS

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2006-03-25 15:43:59 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

in the bat of an eyelid, TOO.

Assimina Vavoula
Greece
Local time: 17:49
Native speaker of:

Greek
PRO pts in category: 18

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άψε-σβύσε

English translation: in a jiffy, in no time

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άψε-σβύσε

English translation: in a jiffy, in no time

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