TODAY'S IDIOM: BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU

"BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU"

Don't hurt anyone that helps you.

Example: Leaving the company after they've spent three years training you up; It's a bit like biting the hand that feeds you.

Morder la mano que te da de comer.

• If you bitterly complain about your boss you're just biting the hand that feeds you / Si te quejas amargamente sobre tu jefe sólo estás mordiendo la mano que te da de comer.

• Dogs know that they shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds them / Los perros saben que no debe morder la mano que les da de comer. 

Additional examples:

• It is unwise to bite the hand that feeds you, but TV journalists need to tell the truth about the news business.

• He is biting the hand that feeds him if he continues to criticize and fight against his superiors.  

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TODAY'S IDIOM: ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE

"ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE"

 

Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is.

Example: People are already unhappy, and if the government allows oil prices to increase it'll just be adding fuel to the fire. 

Echar más leña al fuego.

• If Billy's angry, don't say anything; you'll just be adding fuel to the fire / Si Billy esta enojado, no digas nada; solo echarás más leña al fuego.

• Our workers are already upset, and you'll just add fuel to the fire if you cut their wages / Nuestros trabajadores ya están molestos, y tú solo echaras más leña al fuego si les cortas su salario. 

Additional examples:

• Shouting at a crying child just adds fuel to the fire.

• His mild words only added fuel to the fire; Isabelle was furious. 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: TIP OF THE ICEBERG

"TIP OF THE ICEBERG"

If something is said to be ‘the tip of the iceberg’ it means that something is only a small part of a much bigger problem.

Example: The problems that you see here now are just the tip of the iceberg; there are numerous disasters waiting to happen.

La punta del iceberg.

• Afraid that these few reported cases of the disease might only be the tip of the iceberg / Miedo de que estos pocos casos reportados de la enfermedad podrían ser sólo la punta del iceberg.

• The homeless kids who visit us for help are just the tip of the iceberg, there are thousands more we never see / Los chicos de la calle que nos visitan en busca de ayuda son sólo la punta del iceberg, hay miles más que nunca vemos.

Additional examples: 

• The internet is huge. What you can find through search engines is just the tip of the iceberg.

• The corruption cases that are brought to court are the tip of the iceberg, and there are many more cases to uncover.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: LET BYGONES BE BYGONES

"LET BYGONES BE BYGONES"

Allow the unpleasant things that have happened in the past to be forgotten.

Example: Jill: Why don't you want to invite Ellen to your party? Jane: She was rude to me at the off ice picnic. Jill: But that was six months ago. Let bygones be bygones!

Ya lo pasado, pasado / Olvidar el pasado.

• Nancy held a grudge against her teacher for a long time, but she finally decided to let bygones be bygones / Nancy le guardaba rencor a su maestra durante mucho tiempo, pero finalmente decidió que ya lo pasado, pasado.

• Let's let bygones be bygones and be friends again / Vamos a olvidar el pasado y volver a ser amigos. 

Additional examples:

• There is a feeling here that we should let bygones be bygones and move on to more important things.

• Why can't you put all that bad feeling behind you and let bygones be bygones?

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TODAY'S IDIOM: PACKED LIKE SARDINES

"PACKED LIKE SARDINES"

We use the phrase, "packed like sardines", to describe being crowded into a small space.

Example: There were twenty people packed like sardines into a van.

Apretados como sardinas.

• I hate getting the train in the morning, we're all packed like sardines, it's always hot and smelly / Odio tomar el tren de la mañana, estamos todos apretados como sardinas, es siempre caliente y olía mal.

• Henry didn't stay at the party for very long. He said there were so many people they were packed like sardines / Henry no se quedó en la fiesta por mucho tiempo. Dijo que había tanta gente que estaban apretados como sardinas.

Additional examples:

• The fans were packed like sardines at the music festival.

• In big cities are often seen people on public transport packed like sardines. 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

"TURN OVER A NEW LEAF"

To turn over a new leaf means to make a fresh start or a new beginning, to start behaving in a different and better way.

Example: I have made a mess of my life but from today, I will turn over a new leaf.

Darle vuelta a una página nueva.

• I want to turn over a new leaf, I’m going to start exercising more, and stop eating bad food! / Quiero dar vuelta a una nueva página, voy a empezar a hacer más ejercicio y dejar de comer comida mala!

• I’m turning over a new leaf. I’m going to start doing my homework every night! / Estoy dandole vuelta a una página nueva, voy a empezar a hacer mi tarea toda las noches.

Additional examples:

• Why don't you turn over a new leaf and surprise everyone with your good characteristics?

• Apparently he's turned over a new leaf and he's not drinking any more.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: HOLD YOUR HORSES

"HOLD YOUR HORSES" 

If someone tells you to hold your horses, you are doing something too fast and they would like you to slow down.

Example: Hold your horses, you haven’t thought about this yet.

Tranquilízate. 

• Hold your horses, it’s not time to go yet, we have to finish one more excercise / Tranquilízate todavía no es hora de irse, tenemos que terminar un ejercicio más.

• Just hold your horses, Bill! Let's think about this for a moment / Solo tranquilízate, Bill! Pensemos en esto por un momento.

Additional examples:

• Hold your horses!, you don't know when the movie even starts.

• Hold your horses, you'll get your turn.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: CLOUD NINE

" CLOUD NINE "

You are extremely happy or blissful.

Example: For a few days after I heard I'd got the job, I was on cloud nine.

En una nube.

• Was on cloud nine after winning the marathon / Estaba en las nubes despues de ganar el maratón.

• I was on cloud nine after I got the promotion / Yo estaba en las nubes después de que consiguiera el ascenso.

Additional examples:

• When Bev received her diploma, she was on cloud nine.  

• I've been on cloud nine ever since I landed my dream job.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES

" MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES "

Money does not come easily or without effort.

Example: Dad, can I have a new bike? W e can't afford one, money doesn't grow on trees you know!

El dinero no se da en los árboles.

• When Tony was younger, his father told him that money doesn't grow on trees, and that he would have to work hard if he wanted to be rich / Cuando Tony era más joven, su padre le dijo que el dinero no se da en los árboles y que iba a tener que trabajar duro si quería ser rico.

• A parent might tell a child "money doesn't grow on trees" when the child keeps asking for money and spends it carelessly / Un padre puede decir a un niño "el dinero no se da en los árboles" cuando el niño sigue pidiendo dinero y lo gasta sin cuidado.

Additional examples:

• Gold doesn't grow on trees in Alameda County. Don't come here with an idea that it does.

• Can I have $50 to go to a concert? No way! Get a job! Money doesn't grow on trees.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: TO GET CAUGHT RED - HANDED

" TO GET CAUGHT RED - HANDED "

In the act of committing something wrong.

Example: He tried to steal from the shop but he was caught red-handed.

Cachado in fraganti.

• The boys were trying to steal a car and the police caught them red-handed / Los chicos estaban tratando de robar un auto y la policía los atrapó in fraganti.

• He tried to cheat on the exam, but his teacher walked in and caught him red-handed / Trató de hacer trampa en el examen, pero su profesor entró y lo atrapó in fraganti.

Additional examples:

• He was caught red-handed with the money in his bag.

• Mary tried to cash a forged check at the bank, and the teller caught her red-handed.

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TODAY'A IDIOM: ALL EYES

" ALL EYES "

Watching carefully, staring.

Example: When the fire truck arrived, the children were all eyes.

Todas las miradas.

• If all eyes are on someone, then everyone is paying attention to them / Si todas las miradas están puestas en alguien, entonces todo el mundo está prestandole atención.

•  All eyes on asteroid / Todas las miradas en asteroide.

Additional examples:

• We were all eyes as the Princess emerged from the car

• The buyers at the fashion show were all eyes.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

" A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY "

A good chance to succeed, a good investment.

Example: The Royal Hotel is for sale. What a golden opportunity!

Una oportunidad de oro.

• When I failed to finish college, I missed my golden opportunity to prepare myself for a good job / Cuando no pude terminar la universidad, perdí mi oportunidad de oro de prepararme para un buen trabajo.

• John had a golden opportunity to introduce himself to Anna and let her know of his existence / Juan tuvo una oportunidad de oro para presentarse con Anna y hacerle saber de su existencia.

Additional examples:

• Thesaurus entry for this meaning of golden opportunity.

• If we do not act effectively and immediately, this golden opportunity will be lost.

 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A FULL PLATE

"A FULL PLATE"

A busy schedule, a lot to do.

Example:  Nancy has a full plate these days, she has two jobs and three kids. 

Saturado.

• I'm very busy at work, and I've got a full plate at home too / Estoy muy ocupado en el trabajo y saturado en la casa también.

• I don’t mind having a full plate, It’s better than being bored / No me importa estar saturado, es mejor que estar aburrido.

Additional examples:

• Kerri would like to take a vacation but her plate is too full at work.

• This week is going to be very busy for me. I have a full plate!

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A SLIM CHANCE

"A SLIM CHANCE"

Very little chance, not likely to happen.

Example: Is it going to rain today? Maybe; there's a slim chance.

Una pequeña posibilidad.

• There is a slim chance that I will arrive on Monday, but Tuesday is more likely / Hay una pequeña posibilidad de que llegue el lunes, pero el martes es más probable.

• If your baby is not responding to treatment, there is only a very slim chance of survival / Si el bebé no reacciona al tratamiento, hay una probabilidad muy baja de que sobreviva.

Additional examples:

• These girls and women have a slim chance of escaping extreme poverty or of giving their children a better life.

• Why make films at all, if there's such a slim chance of having them seen?

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TODAY'S IDIOM: DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK

"DON'T PUSH YOUR LUCK"

Do not try to get too much, do not ask for more.

Example: If Mom says maybe, don't push your luck. Be patient.

No abuses de tu suerte.

• I think she's pushing her luck to ask for another salary advance this month / Creo que ella está tentando la suerte al pedir otro anticipo este mes.

• You're okay so far, but don't push your luck / Estás bien hasta ahora, pero no abuses de tu suerte.

Additional examples:

• Bob pressed his luck too much and got into a lot of trouble.

• Don’t push your luck just because I took your case. You still owe me.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: BED DOWN

"BED DOWN"

Lie down and sleep, find a place to sleep.

Example:  After grazing in the valley, the deer will bed down on the hill.

Acostarse.

• It was time to bed down for the night / Ya era hora de acostarse por la noche.

• John and Steve can bed down in the living room / Jhon y Steve pueden acostarse en la sala.

Additional examples:

• We bedded down at midnight.

• We had to bed down on the floor for the night.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: FILL IN FOR ME

"FILL IN FOR ME"

Do my job, do my work.

Example: Will you fill in for me while I'm away? Just answer my phone.

Reemplazarme.

• I was away for a few days, so they had to get someone to fill in for me / Estuve de viaje por unos días, por lo que tuvieron que conseguir a alguien para reemplazarme.

• The understudy had to fill in for me at the last minute / El suplente tuvo que reemplazarme en el último minuto.

Additional examples:

• I can't come but my wife will fill in for me.

• The company used a fill-in for workers on vacation.    

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A FIRM HAND

"A FIRM HAND"

A person who will discipline people.

Example: The students in Grade 8 need a teacher with a firm hand.

Mano firme.

• I had to use a firm hand with Perry when he was a child. He had a problem with discipline / Tuve que usar una mano firme con Perry cuando era un niño. Tenía un problema con la disciplina.

• What people want is a president with a firm hand on the tiller / Lo que la gente quiere es un presidente con una mano firme en el timón.

Additional examples:

• Reforming these young offenders will require a firm hand.

• The horse is very spirited, he needs a firm hand.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A PRETTY PENNY

"A PRETTY PENNY"

A lot of money, a high price.

Example: I bet she paid a pretty penny for that coat. It looks expensive.

Un ojo de la cara.

• I'm sure it cost a pretty penny but Gav has the ability to pay them back tenfold / Estoy seguro de que cuestan un ojo de la cara pero Gav tiene la capacidad para pagar diez veces.

• That diamond ring must have cost him a pretty penny / Ese anillo de diamantes le ha costado un ojo de la cara.

 Additional examples:

• I have my restaurant all picked out and this will cost you a pretty penny.

• Mary's dress is real silk. It must have cost a pretty penny.

 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A FINE LINE

"A FINE LINE"

A close relationship, not much difference.

Example: Sometimes there is a fine line between love and hate.

Una línea muy fina.

• There is a fine line between drinking with your friends every night and being an alcoholic / Hay una línea muy fina entre bebiendo con tus amigos cada noche y ser un alcohólico.

• There is a fine line between being careful of everything you do and being neurotic / Hay una línea muy fina entre ser cuidadoso de todo lo que haces y ser neurótico.

Additional examples:

• There's a fine line between courage and foolishness.

• There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line--- Oscar Levant.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A BITE TO EAT

"A BITE TO EAT"

A lunch, a snack.

Example: We can grab a bite to eat at the arena. They sell snacks there.

Un bocado.

• Do you want to grab a bite to eat before we see the movie? / ¿Quieres tomar un bocado para comer antes de ver la película?

• I'm going to go out and grab a bite to eat from McDonalds. Do you want anything? / Voy a salir y a tomar un bocado para comer en McDonalds. ¿Quieres algo? 

Additional examples:

• You'll feel better once you've had a bite to eat.

• I usually sleep late and just have a quick bite to eat when I get to work.  

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TODAY'S IDIOM: GET RID OF

"GET RID OF"

Discard, throw away.

Example: First, we have to get rid of the money. Where can we hide it?

Deshacerse de.

• Let's just get rid of all the drug laws / Vamos a deshacernos de todas las leyes sobre las drogas.

• Let me get rid of this pest at once / Déjame deshacerme de esta plaga de una vez.

Additional examples:

• You need to get rid of all your junk mail.

• "Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat."

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH

"A BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH"

A feeling that something is false or unfair.

Example: I left the meeting with a bad taste in my mouth. There was a lot of dishonesty in the room.

Un mal sabor de boca.

• The whole business about the missing money left a bad taste in his mouth / Todo el asunto del dinero faltante le dejó un mal sabor de boca.

• It was a very nice hotel, but something about it left a bad taste in my mouth / Era un hotel muy bonito pero algo me dejó un mal sabor de boca.

Additional Examples:

• I think we all felt that he'd been treated unfairly and it left a bad taste in people's mouth.

• Violent movies always leave a bad taste in my mouth.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: CRYSTAL CLEAR

"CRYSTAL CLEAR"

Very clear, well understood.

Example: The boss was crystal clear: next time you're late you'll be fired.

Muy claro.

• I liked the seminar; the instructor explained everything so it was crystal clear / Me gustó el seminario: el instructor explicó todo muy claro.

• The rule is crystal clear no advance payments allowed, no exceptions / La regla es muy clara no está permitido pagos por adelantado, sin excepciones.

Additional Examples:

• After Mr. Rivera explained the concept to me, he asked, "Is that clear?" "Crystal clear," I replied.

• The directions for installing the door are crystal clear.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE

"FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE"

Fight with the same weapon the enemy uses.

Example: If he uses statistics, you use statistics. Fight fire with fire!

Pelea fuego con fuego.

• After her opponent had spent several weeks slandering her, the candidate decided to fight fire with fire / Después de que su oponente había pasado varias semanas calumniándola, la candidata decidió combatir fuego con fuego.

• In the face of stiff competition from rival firms we had to fight fire with fire and slash our prices / Frente a la dura competencia de empresas rivales, tuvimos que combatir fuego con fuego y reducir nuestros precios.

Additional examples:

• When Shania's boyfriend kissed another girl, she decided to fight fire with fire, so she cheated on him.

• When the opposition began a smear campaign, we decided to fight fire with fire.

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