TODAY'S IDIOM: NO PAIN, NO GAIN

"NO PAIN, NO GAIN"

If you want to improve, you must work so hard that it hurts.

Example: A sign on our gym wall reads "No Pain, No Gain."

El que quiere celeste, que le cueste.

Example sentences:

• I can't do any more push-ups; my muscles hurt. No pain, no gain / No puedo hacer ningunas flexiones más; mis músculos dueles. El que quiere celeste, que le cueste.

• Come on, everybody! Run one more lap! No pain, no gain! / ¡Vamos, todos! ¡A correr una vuelta más! ¡El que quiere celeste, que le cueste!

Additional examples:

• During the exhausting time of spring training, our coach would often remind us: "No pain, no gain!"

• To play at that level, you are going to have to practice all of the time, you know. No pain, no gain.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

"LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON"

Fathers and sons resemble each other, and sons tend to do what their fathers did before them.

Example: George's father smoked all the time, and now George is smoking excessively, too. Like father, like son, eh?

De tal palo, tal astilla.

Example sentences:

• Kevin decided to run for mayor. Like father, like son / Kevin decidió postularse para alcalde. De tal palo, tal astilla.

• I think my son will grow up tall, just like his father. Like father, like son / Creo que mi hijo crecerá alto igual que su padre. De tal palo, tal astilla.

Additional examples:

• I’m going to go fishing! Me too! I love fishing! Like father, like son.

• My father is a doctor, I am a doctor, and my son is in Medical school. Like father, like son.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: THE LAST STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMEL'S BACK

"THE LAST STRAW THAT BREAKS THE CAMEL'S BACK"

The last in a series of unpleasant events which finally makes you feel that you cannot continue to accept a bad situation. 

Example: You have been rude to me all day. I've had it. That's the last straw that breaks the camel's back!

La gota que derramó el vaso.

Example sentences:

• You broke a lot of rules and we tried to ignore it. But stealing money from us was the last straw that broke the camel's back, we're sending you home to your parents / Rompiste muchas reglas y tratamos de ignorarlo. Pero robar nuestro dinero fue la gota que derramó el vaso, te vamos a enviar a casa de tus padres.

• He came to work late every day that week. Then on Friday, he didn't show up at all, that was the last straw that broke the camel's back / Él vino a trabajar muy tarde todos los días de la semana. El Viernes, él no aparece en lo absoluto, eso fue la gota que derramó el vaso.

Additional examples:

• Losing my job was bad enough but having the relationship end like that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

• She's always been rude to me, but it was the last straw that breaks the camel's back when she started insulting my mother.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: IT'S NO GOOD CRYING OVER SPILT MILK

"IT'S NO GOOD CRYING OVER SPILT MILK"

You should not be upset over something that cannot be undone.

Example: Sometimes I regret not taking that job in London. Oh well, there's no good crying over spilt milk.

A lo hecho, pecho.

Example sentences:

• I know you don't like your new haircut, but you can't change it now. It's no good crying over spilt milk / Sé que no te gusta tu nuevo corte de pelo, pero no puedes cambiarlo ahora. A lo hecho, pecho.

• Ok, so you broke the drill I lent you. It's no good crying over spilt milk / Ok, asi que rompiste el taladro que te presté. A lo hecho, pecho.

Additional examples:

• It's no use crying over spilled milk, he's spent all the money, and there's nothing you can do about it.

• He is always crying over spilled milk. He cannot accept reality. It can't be helped. Don't cry over spilled milk.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: DON'T LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH

"DON'T LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH"

Don't be ungrateful when you receive a gift.

Example: Great interception! Yes, but I almost scored a touchdown. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

A caballo regalado no se le miran los dientes.

Example sentences:

• When I asked my uncle for extra money on my birthday, my mother said, don't look a gift horse in the mouth / Cuando le pedí a mi tío más dinero para mi cumpleaños, mi madre me dijo: A caballo regalado no se le miran los dientes.

• This shirt you gave me is not my favorite brand. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! That was the best they had / Esta camisa que me diste no es de mi marca favorita. A caballo regalado no se le miran los dientes! Eso fue lo mejor que tenían.

Additional examples:

• Here is your drink. Oh, I hate this kind. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

• Dad's old car is full of dents, but we shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE

"HALF A LOAF IS BETTER THAN NONE"

 

Getting only part of what you want is better than not getting anything.

Example: How did your court case go? Not good. I asked for $500, and the judge only awarded me $200. Half a loaf is better than none. 

Algo es algo, peor es nada.

Example sentences:

• I only got half the salary rise I asked for, but I took it anyway on the grounds that half a loaf is better than none / Solo tengo la mitad de el aumento de salario que pedí, pero lo tomé de todos modos algo es algo, peor es nada.

• He had asked for a new trumpet but got a used one. Oh well, half a loaf is better than none / Había pedido una trompeta nueca pero nos dieron una usada. Bueno algo es algo, peor es nada.

Additional examples:

• Albert wanted two dollars for shoveling snow from the sidewalk but the lady would only give him a dollar. And he said that half a loaf is better than none.

• Half a loaf is better than none and I would rather work part-time than have no job at all.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: FINDERS, KEEPERS; LOSERS, WEEPERS

"FINDERS, KEEPERS; LOSERS, WEEPERS"

If you find something, you are entitled to keep it.

Example: Hey! How come you're using my fountain pen? It's mine now. I found it on the floor. Finders keepers, losers weepers.

El que se fue a la villa; perdió su silla.

Example sentences:

• That's my hat, you can't have it. I found it. Finders keepers; losers, weepers / Ese es mi sombrero, no puedes tenerlo. Lo encontré; el que se fue a la villa; perdió su silla. 

• Someone left a dollar bill in this rented car. Finders, keepers; losers, weepers / Alguien dejó un dólar en el coche rentado. El que se fue a la villa; perdió su silla.

Additional examples:

• I found it, it's mine. That's not yours, it's mine. Finders keepers, losers weepers!

• Hey! That's my five dollar bill you have there. Finders keepers, losers weepers.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

"BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY"

You should be cautious, if you are not, you may regret it.

Example: Better safe than sorry so I always leave early when I go to the airport. 

Más vale prevenir que lamentar.

Example sentences:

• It is better to be safe than sorry and I always bring my umbrella to work when it is a cloudy day / Más vale prevenir que lamentar, siempre traigo mi paraguas al trabajo cuando es un día nublado.

• I don't need a tetanus shot just because I stepped on a nail. I still think you should get one. Better be safe than sorry / No necesito una vacuna contra el tétano solo porque pisé un clavo. Sigo pensando que debes de tenerla. Más vale prevenir que lamentar.

Additional examples:

• It may be time-consuming to check the oil in your car every time you buy gasoline, but better safe than sorry.

• I'll hold the ladder while you climb up. Better safe than sorry.

• Concerned about the attacks, he sent his son out of the village, figuring, better safe than sorry.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: MEAN BUSINESS

"MEAN BUSINESS"

To be serious.

Example: Our boss means business when he tells everyone to work harder.

Hablando en serio.

Example sentences:

• When it comes to competition, they really mean business / Cuando se trata de competencia,ellos realmente hablan en serio.

• We hope that the company means business and do something about it / Esperamos que la compañia hable en serio y haga algo al respecto.

Additional examples:

• I don't think you realize it, but i really mean business when it comes to do the right thing.

• If you really mean business, you should go all the way.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: PULL THE PLUG

"PULL THE PLUG"

To stop something. To bring something to an end.

Example: In business, you need to know when to pull the plug.

Descontinuar / Poner fin.

Example sentences:

• We will have to pull the plug on this project / Tendremos que poner fin a este proyecto.

• We had to pull the plug on most of our software / Tuvimos que descontinuar la mayoría de nuestro software.

Additional examples:

• Pulling the plug was the last thing I wanted to do.

• If the viewing figures drop much further, the TV company will pull the plug on the whole series.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: IN THE LONG RUN

"IN THE LONG RUN"

Over a long period of time.

Example: The company has been losing money but in the long run they should make a profit.

A la larga / A largo plazo. 

Example sentences: 

• In the long run the clients will come back / A la larga los clientes volverán. 

• In the long run we'll begin to see the effects / A largo plazo, comenzaremos a ver los efectos.

Additional examples:

• In the long run we'll see who was right.

• The decisions you take now will affect you in the long run.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING

"APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING"

Things can look different from the way they really are.

Example: That software looks great but appearances can be deceiving.

Las apariencias engañan.

Example sentences:

• Edward seems like a very nice boy, but appearances can be deceiving / Edward parece un chico muy agradable, pero las apariencias engañan-

• Jane may look like she doesn't understand you, but she's really extremely bright. Appearances can be deceiving / Puede parecer como si Jane no te entendiera, pero ella es extramadamente brillante. Las apariencias engañan.

Additional examples:

• Remember that appearances can deceive just because something looks good doesn't mean it is good.

• Results indicated that preschoolers recognize that appearances may be deceiving when it comes to judging causes of illness.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

"ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS"

What you do is more significant than what you say.

Example: You have to prepare for what your opponents could do, not what they say they'll do, because actions speak louder than words.

Los hechos valen más que mil palabras.

Example sentences:

• Of course the government have made all sorts of promises but as we all know, actions speak louder than words / Por supuesto, el gobierno ha hecho todo tipo de promesas, pero como todos sabemos, los hechos valen más que mil palabras.

• You keep saying that you'll do your fair share of the housework. Remember that actions speak louder than words / Sigues diciendo que vas a hacer tu parte de las tareas domésticas. Recuerda que los hechos valen más que mil palabras.

Additional examples:

• Actions speaking louder than words would be actually recycling, not just wearing a shirt making everyone think that you do.

• Politicians should be reminded that actions speak louder than words.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH

"A BIRD IN THE HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH"

Is better to have something that is certain than take a risk to get more, where you might lose everything.

Example: If I were you I'd accept the money they're offering. After all, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.

Example sentences:

• I’ve been offered $150 for my walkman. Should I take it or wait for a better offer? Take the $150. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush / Me han ofrecido $150 para mi walkman. ¿Debo tomarlo o esperar a una mejor oferta? Toma los $150. Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.

• He says that if we go to Saudi Arabia we could find a job which pays three times as much. But what if we don't find a job? I think we should stay here. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush / Él dice que si vamos a Arabia Saudita podríamos encontrar un trabajo que paga tres veces más. Pero ¿y si no encontramos un trabajo? Creo que deberíamos quedarnos aquí. Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.

Additional examples:

• I think I'm gonna quit my job; another firm is going to offer me a better job. Are you sure? You probably shouldn't quit unless you know you're gonna get in for sure. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

• I'm tempted to leave my job and start on my own but I'm worried that I won't be able to make a living, after all a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: BITE YOUR TONGUE

"BITE YOUR TONGUE"

To avoid talking.

Example: If you don't want to hurt him. You should bite your tongue.

Morderse la lengua. 

Example sentences: 

• I disagree but I'll bite my tongue / No estoy de acuerdo, pero me morderé la lengua.

• At this moment it is better to bite your tongue / En este momento es mejor que te muerdas la lengua.

 Additional examples:

• Sometimes you have to say what you want and not bite your tongue.

 

• When my brother tells me that "The Fast and the Furious" is the best movie ever made, I have to bite my tongue.  

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TODAY'S IDIOM: CUT BACK

"CUT BACK"

To use fewer or less of something.

Example: The company has been cutting back on entertainment expenses recently.

Reducir / Recortar.

Example sentences:

• The company wants to cut back salaries / La compañía quiere reducir los salarios.

• You need to find a way to cut back on your travel budget / Necesitas encontrar una manera de recortar tu presupuesto de viaje.

Additional examples:

• It's clear we need to cut back, but it's hard to break old habits.

• Cutting back on sugar it's not easy. 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: DON'T BITE MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW

"DON'T BITE MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW"

To try to do more than you are able to do.

Example: We bit off more than we could chew in our original reform proposals.

El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

Example sentences:

• Don't bite off more than you can chew. Let someone else organize the party / El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta. Deje que otra persona organize la fiesta.

• Don't bite off more than you can chew. It will take four people a month do that!  You already have a full plate / El que mucho abarca, pco aprieta. ¡Se llevará cuatro personas al mes hacer eso! Ya tienes saturado.

Additional examples:

• When Rich said that he could write the complex computer program by the end of the week, he bit off more than he could chew.

• I think I bit off more than I could chew when I agreed to paint this house by myself.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER

"BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER"

Said to emphasize that you believe that family connections are always more important than other types of relationship.

Example: Don't trust anyone outside the family, blood is thicker than water. Never forget that.

Los lazos familiares son mas fuertes

Example sentences:

• My friends invited me to go camping on Saturday, but I have to go to my cousin's wedding instead. Blood is thicker than water, after all / Mis amigos me invitaron a ir a acampar el Sábado, pero en lugar de eso me tengo que ir a la boda de mi primo. Después de todo, los lazos familiares son más fuertes.

• Nancy will drop everything to help her sister; blood is thicker than water / Nancy dejó todo para ayudar a su hermana; los lazos familiares son más fuertes.

Additional examples:

• If you ever need help, don't ask your friends; come home and ask us, your family. Blood runs thicker than water.

• Never forget that ‘blood is thicker than water’. one day you will guilty for what you done with your parents.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: IN THE WORKS

"IN THE WORKS"

To be in preparation. To be in the process of being planned or developed.

Example: The camera company has a new camera in the works, but nobody knows about it.

En desarrollo / En planeación

Example sentences:

• The new software version is in the works / La nueva versión del software se encuentra en desarrollo.

• The welcome party in already in the works / La fiesta de bienvenida ya se está planeando.

Additional examples:

• The employees are saying that a big change in the company is in the works right now.

• The new movie is already in the works.

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