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Translation glossary: Idioms

Creator:
Natalia Zudaire
Natalia Zudaire
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(AmE: a tempest in a teacup)Used in order to say that people are treating a small problem, argument, etc as if it is a very large and important one 
English
(Just) IN THE NICK OF TIMEJust before it is too late, or just before something bad happens 
English
(THE) DONKEY WORK (BrE)The hard and boring work that is involved in a process or activity 
English
(to be) LOST FOR WORDSUnable to say anything because you feel so surprised, shocked, unhapp, etc. 
English
A BIG FISH IN A SMALL PONDSomeone who is important or has a lot of influence only in a small organization, place, company, etc. 
English
A BIG FISH IN A SMALL PONDan important figure in a small organization 
English
A black sheepLa oveja negra 
English
A blue-eyed boyThe favorite one 
English
A bluestockingVery well educated lady/woman 
English
A bolt from the blueSuddenly – not pleasant 
English
A COUCH POTATOSomeone who likes to sit in comfort and do nothing 
English
A DARK HORSESomeone who is not well known or not expected to in, but who surprises people by doing very well against competitions in business, sports and politics 
English
A FAIR WEATHER FRIENDSomeone who stands by you only when things are going well 
English
A FAR CRY FROMAn environment cut off from the harsh realties of life 
English
A FEW HOME RUTHSUnpalatable but correct criticism 
English
A FISH OUT OF WATERout of your depth in the wrong place 
English
A gray areaNot clear 
English
A gray eminencePerson very influential but who stays in the background 
English
A green beltThe green part around a town 
English
A NEW BROOMA new person in charge who makes changes 
English
A NOSY PARKERUsed about someone who wants to know something that does not concern them, especialy what other people are doing 
English
A NOSY PARKER (BrE)A gossip who wants to know everything that happens to other people 
English
A RAW DEALNot all the same as 
English
A red-brick universityAny other university than Oxford or Cambridge 
English
A red-herringA false clue 
English
A red-letter dayA very important day 
English
A ROLLING STONE (BrE)Someone who has no fixed roots 
English
A STUFFED SHIRTA pompous, self-opinionated person 
English
A WET BLANKETUsed about someone who spoils other people’s fun 
English
A WET BLANKETSomeone who doesn¡¦t want to join in and spoils the fun for everybody else (AmE „³ a party pooper) 
English
A white elephantUseless and expensive 
English
A white lieNot very important lie 
English
A white sepulcherSomeone hypocrite 
English
ACCUSE SOMEBODY OF STHSay somebody is guilty 
English
AN ARMCHAIR CRITICSomeone who critisises something she & he doesn’t kno about 
English
AN ARMCHAIR CRITICSomeone who expresses opinions about things he/she knows very little about 
English
AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISHA completely diferent (and unacceptable) matter 
English
AN IVORY TOWERUnfair treatement 
English
As black as pitchVery, very black 
English
As brown as a berryVery sunbathed 
English
As white as sheetExtremely pale 
English
BE (kept / left) IN THE DARKTo be given no information about something that is important to you 
English
Be as black as one’s paintedTan malo como lo pintan 
English
Be greenImmature / unexperienced 
English
BE OUT OF THE LIGHT (spoken)To go to sleep very quily, andvery deeply 
English
BEHIND BARSIn jail 
English
Black and blueFull of bruises 
English
Black marketMercado Negro 
English
Black outTo lose consciousness 
English
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