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Translation glossary: Idioms

Creator:
Natalia Zudaire
Natalia Zudaire
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Showing entries 101-150 of 150
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PICK UPFind and arrest 
English
PICK UP THE PIECES (of sth)To try to get a relationship or situation to the state it was before, after something bad has happened and spoiled it 
English
PLAY ALOG WITHpretend to cooperate with 
English
PLAY CAT AND MOUSE WITHkeep someone in suspense 
English
PLAY DOWNpretend something is less important than it is 
English
PLAY HAVOC WITHthrow into confusion 
English
PLAY IT BY EARact according to the situation 
English
PLAY WITH FIREinvolve yourself in a dangerous situation 
English
PLENTY MORE FISH IN THE SEAother people or things to choose from 
English
PRAWL AROUNDWalk carefully and quietly 
English
PUT THE BLAME ONAccuse 
English
Red-bloodedPassionate / active 
English
Red-hotVery enthusiastic 
English
Red-tapeUnnecessary regulations 
English
Reds under the bedCommunists in the middle 
English
Scream / Yell blue murderProtest, yell strongly 
English
SECOND THOUGHTSReservations 
English
See redReally angry 
English
SEE THE LIGHTTo suddenly understand or believe something, especially that other people have been trying to persuade you to understand or believe 
English
SENTENCE SOMEBODY TO DEATHStated the punishment 
English
Show the white featherMostrar la hilacha 
English
SOMEBODY IS A LAW UNTO HIMSELF / HERSELFUsed when you dissaprove because someone does what they wa o, instead of doing what they are old to do 
English
SPEAK VOLUMES (ABOUT)To express something very clearly, without using words 
English
TAKE IT LIKE A DUCK TO WATERlike or become familiar with straight away 
English
TAKE ITS TOLL (ON SOMETHING)If a diffiult situation or harmful event takes its toll on a person, or organization, it causes problems that gradually make them weaker 
English
TAKE SOMEBODY DOWN PEG (OR TWO)To make someone realise they are not as important as they think they are, or as good as somehingas they think they are 
English
TAKE THE LAW / MATTER / THINGS INTO YOUR WN HANDSTo deal with a problem yourself, often in a violent or unpleasant way, because you don’t think that the officials who ought to be dealing with it are 
English
TAKE YOUR PICK (spoken)Used in order to tell someone to choose what they like best among several possible things 
English
TAKING IT AS READTo accept that something is true or correct because it is not necessary to have any proof 
English
The bluesSad 
English
The green lightPermission 
English
The green-eyed monsterJealousy 
English
THE GUTTER PRESSA tabloid carrying sensational stories and scandals 
English
THE LAW F THE JUNGLEOnly the strongest surive 
English
The pink of perfectionAbsolutely perfect 
English
The pot calling the kettle blackEl muerto se asusta del degollado 
English
THROW THE BOOK AT SOMEBODYTo give someone the worst possible punishment for a crime or for something they have done wrong 
English
TIE UPBind with string or rope 
English
To be in the redEn negativo en el banco 
English
TO BE KEPT IN THE DARKTo be given no information about something that is important to you 
English
To be tickled pink (by something)To be really pleased by sth 
English
To catch someone red-handedCon las manos en la masa 
English
To go bright red (embarrassed)Ponerse colorada de la vergüenza) 
English
TO MAKE A MOUNTAIN OU OF A MOLEHILLUsed to say that someone is treating a problem, or treating something they have to do, as if it is a very difficult or worse than it actually is 
English
TO TAKE POT LUCKTo take whatever is available, without being able to make a choice or choose something whe you do not know which of the available things is the best 
English
TO TAKE SOMEBODY FOR A RIDE (spoken)To trick or deceive someone, especially in order to get money from them 
English
True blueSomeone who’s faithful 
English
TURN OVER A NEW LEAFTo start behaving better, and intend to do your work well or become a better person 
English
Two blacks don’t make a whiteTwo things done wrong won’t make one right 
English
WATER OFF A DUCK’S BACKsomething that has no effect 
English
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