Sometimes trying to translate an english sentence just doesn’t make sense.
Helping you to understand, here are some examples of commonly used English idioms that don’t have a literal translation:
- Fingers crossed: Hope it goes well
- It’s a piece of cake: It’s easy
- Let’s play it by ear: Let’s try it and see how it goes
- Let’s give it a miss: We won’t do that
- I’m going to sleep on it: I can’t make a decision now
- She’s got cold feet: She’s lost her nerve (or confidence)
- Get off my back!: Leave me alone
- I’ve got too much time on my hands: I haven’t got much to do
- We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it: We’ll look at that when we get to it
- Let your hair down: Let go of your inhibitions
- You can’t judge a book by its cover: You can’t judge someone or something based on appearance.
- Kick the bucket: Die
- There he is, speak of the devil: There he is, we were just talking about him
- I’ve had a change of heart: I’ve changed my mind
- I can’t wrap my head around it: I can’t seem to understand
- I’m all ears: I’m listening
- He’s giving her the cold shoulder: He’s ignoring her
- I’m feeling under the weather: I don’t feel well
- I missed the boat: I was too late, I missed an opportunity
- I’ve got the best of both worlds: I benefit from both situations
- They see eye to eye: they agree with each other
- He cut corners: He did something badly/cheaply
Useful words that are short or alternatives for other words…
brolly – umbrella
tube – London Underground
specs – glasses (spectacles)
loo – toilet
