čert nám bol dlžen

English translation: hole in the head

13:39 Dec 10, 2012
Slovak to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Slovak term or phrase: čert nám bol dlžen
Does anyone know how to translate čert nám bol dlžen to English. As in "hlinikáreň nám bol čert dlžen". The expression is used in a newspaper article. Thanks in advance.
Tomáš Donoval
Slovakia
Local time: 15:25
English translation:hole in the head
Explanation:
We needed that aluminium plant like a hole in the head.

Just another possibility
Selected response from:

Nathaniel2
Local time: 15:25
Grading comment
This is what I was looking for, unfortunately, it came too late. I had to finally settle with something like "(the plant) was a devil's gift to us" though I don't like it that much.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4hole in the head
Nathaniel2
5it is/was a curse to us
ex-pat
3 +1damn and blast (aluminum plant)/to hell with (aluminum plant)
Dušan Ján Hlísta
4The aluminum factory was (is) a terrible ordeal.
Maros Podstupka
3 +1devil take it
Uncle
3has been the gift from hell
Rad Graban (X)
2why the hell we have
Michal Zugec


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
damn and blast (aluminum plant)/to hell with (aluminum plant)


Explanation:
*

Dušan Ján Hlísta
Slovakia
Local time: 15:25
Native speaker of: Slovak

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Michal Fabian
3 hrs
  -> vďaka (slovníky poväčšinou človeka nepustia do "blbostičiek") .=)
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11 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
why the hell we have


Explanation:
Tomuto by som prispôsobil slovosled - ale confidence level si dávam len "low"

Michal Zugec
Slovakia
Local time: 15:25
Native speaker of: Slovak
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32 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
The aluminum factory was (is) a terrible ordeal.


Explanation:
The aluminum factory was (is) a terrible ordeal.

Maros Podstupka
Slovakia
Local time: 15:25
Native speaker of: Native in SlovakSlovak
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46 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
it is/was a curse to us


Explanation:
*

ex-pat
Local time: 15:25
Native speaker of: Native in SlovakSlovak

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Dušan Ján Hlísta: "no já Ti Karle nevím" (Jiřina Bohdalová v 60. rokoch XX. storočia)
3 hrs
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57 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
devil take it


Explanation:
Viac v zmysle "nech ju cert vezme", ale osobne sa mi to celkom pozdava...

The aluminum factory (devil take it!) ....

Uncle
Local time: 15:25
Native speaker of: Native in SlovakSlovak
PRO pts in category: 7

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Dr Lofthouse
48 mins
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
hole in the head


Explanation:
We needed that aluminium plant like a hole in the head.

Just another possibility

Nathaniel2
Local time: 15:25
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
This is what I was looking for, unfortunately, it came too late. I had to finally settle with something like "(the plant) was a devil's gift to us" though I don't like it that much.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Hannah Geiger (X): ..yes, "we needed it like a hole in the head"- I started to write it surprised that nobody else had, then I noticed....
5 mins
  -> thanks Hannah

agree  Slavomir BELIS
1 hr
  -> thanks!

agree  Dylan Edwards: I like this one.
4 hrs
  -> thanks!

agree  Vladimír Hoffman: Exactly!
15 hrs
  -> thanks!
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18 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
has been the gift from hell


Explanation:
Another idea.

Rad Graban (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 14:25
Native speaker of: Native in SlovakSlovak
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