TODAY'S IDIOM: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

"BETTER LATE THAN NEVER"

Doing something late is better than not doing it.

Example: John gave in his homework yesterday. He was supposed to do it a month ago, but better late than never.

Más vale tarde que nunca.

Example sentences:

• My library books are 5 days overdue! I have to return them today. I'll have to pay a fine, but better late than never / Mis libros de la boblioteca llevan 5 días de retraso, tengo que regresarlos hoy. Voy a tener que pagar una multa, pero más vale tarde que nunca.

• I’m sorry I’m late for the meeting. I got stuck in traffic on my way to work. Better late than never, right? / Lo siento, llegué tarde a la reunión. Me quedé atrapado en el trafico camino al trabajo. Más vale tarde que nunca, no?.

Additional examples:

• The city has finally put traffic lights at the intersection. It’s better late than never, but this should have been done years ago.

• The movie has already started. Do you still want to go in? Sure. Better late than never!.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD

"ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD"

Something that you say to warn someone that sometimes people or things that appear attractive have no real value.

Example: Yes, that job pays very well but remember that all that glitters is not gold. You might not like it.

No todo lo que brilla es oro.

Example sentences:

• Yes, a beautiful Ferrari for only €5000, what a great deal but be careful, for all that glitters is not gold / Si, es un hermoso Ferraro de solo €5000, es una buena oferta pero ten cuidado, no todo lo que brilla es oro.

• Hollywood may look like an exciting place to live, but I don't think you should move there. All that glitters is not gold / Hollywood puede parecer un lugar excelente para vivir, pero no creo que te debas mudar allá; no todo lo que brilla es oro.

Additional examples:

• I know Susie is popular and pretty, but don't be fooled by that, all that glitters is not gold.

• Be careful when shopping for your new car; all that glitters is not gold. 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

"ALL IN THE SAME BOAT"

When everyone is facing the same challenges.

Let's study together, we're all in the same boat: We have to pass this exam.

Todos en el mismo barco.

Example sentences:

• She's always complaining that she doesn't have enough money, but we're all in the same boat / Ella siempre se queja de que no tiene dinero, pero estamos todos en el mismo barco.

• We can't fight against each other, we need to work together. We're all in the same boat! / No podemos luchar unos contra otros, tenemos que trabajar juntos. Todos estamos en el mismo barco!.

Additional examples:

• I'm so busy. I don't know how will get this done. You're not the only one with a lot to do; we are all in the same boat.

• These may be difficult times, but we're all in the same boat, we can get through it together!

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED

"A PENNY SAVED IS A PENNY EARNED"

By not spending money, you are saving money (little by little).

Example: My mother always used to say a penny saved is a penny earned, because that’s how she bought the flat.

Un centavo ahorrado es un centavo ganado.

Example sentences:

• You shouldn't spend so much money on beer and partying, instead you should save up to take a vacation. After all, a penny saved is a penny earned / No debes gastar tanto dinero en cerveza y fiestas, en lugar de eso debes de ahorrar para tomarte unas vacaciones. Después de todo, un centavo ahorrado es un centavo ganado.

• A penny saved is a penny earned. It would be a great idea to open a savings account for University / Un centavo ahorrado es un centavo ganado. Sería buena idea abrir una cuenta de ahorro para la Universidad.

Additional examples:

• I'm going to give you $20 but I want you to put it in the bank; a penny saved is a penny earned!

• My dad never lets me spend money on things I don't need; he always says a penny saved is a penny earned.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: ALL BARK AND NO BITE

"ALL BARK AND NO BITE"

When someone is threatening and/or aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight.

Example: That new manager threatened to fire me again, but I know he won't do it. He's all bark and no bite.

Perro que ladra no muerde.

Example sentences:

• Yesterday that guy said he wanted to fight, but today he's all quiet and polite, he's all bark and no bite / Ayer ese hombre dijo que quería pelear, pero hoy está tranquilo y educado. Perro que ladra no muerde.

• Don't listen to my brother when he gets angry; he's all bark and no bite / No hagas caso a mi hermano cuando se enoja; perro que ladra no muerde. 

Additional examples:

• Don’t worry about Mrs Smith, she’s all bark and no bite, always shouting but she never punishes you.

• I know the prosecutor personally he's all back and no bite.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: UP A BLIND ALLEY

"UP A BLIND ALLEY"

Going down a course of action that leads to a bad outcome.

Example: I have been trying to find out something about my ancestors, but I'm up a blind alley. I can't find anything.

Un callejón sin salida.

Example sentences:

• The police are up a blind alley in their investigation of the crime / La policía está en un callejón sin salida en su investigación del crimen.

• I pray that somehow you're going to get out of this dreadful blind alley you're in / Pido a Dios que de alguna manera tú vas a salir de este terrible callejón sin salida.

Additional examples:

• That line of reasoning will only lead you up another blind alley.  

• A lot of the time I feel I've pursued people unreasonably down a blind alley.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: START FROM SCRATCH

"START FROM SCRATCH"

To do it all over again from the beginning.

Example: When Kurt built a bed for his young son, he started building from scratch, and made the bed out of wood. It’s beautiful!

Empezar de cero / Desde cero.

Example sentences:

• Vicky started her company from scratch, and now she is rich and successful! / Vicky comenzó su empresa desde cero y ahora es rica y exitosa!

• My files are corrupt and I lost all of my project. That's terrible, what will you do? I'll do it again, starting from scratch. / Mis archivos son corruptos y perdí todo mi proyecto. Eso es terrible, ¿Qué vas a hacer? Voy a hacerlo de nuevo, empezar de cero.

Additional examples:

• On today's show, we are going to show you how to make Spanish Tortilla from scratch!

• I ruined the cake I just baked.  Now I have to start from scratch.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: PULLING YOUR LEG

"PULLING YOUR LEG"

Tricking someone as a joke / Kidding

Example: Don't believe him, he's just pulling your leg.

Tomando el pelo / Bromeando.

Example sentences:

• Is he really angry with me or do you think he's just pulling my leg? / Está realmente enojado conmigo o tu crees que solo está tomandome el pelo?

• In the middle of July the little boy ran to his mom and said that it was snowing. When his mom looked outside he told her that he was just pulling her leg / A mediados de Julio el pequeño niño corrió hacia su madre y le dijo que estaba nevando. Cuando su mamá vio hacia afuera él le dijo que solo estaba bromeando.

Additional examples:

• Really? That store is closed on Sunday? Are you sure? Don't listen to him; he is just pulling your leg.

• Look; your shoes are untied... Ha! Just pulling your leg.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

"PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT"

 By constantly practicing, you will become better.

Example: You can't expect to become a brilliant dancer overnight, but practice makes perfect.

La práctica hace al maestro.

Example sentences: 

• We should keep practicing for our final competition, because practice makes perfect / Tenemos que seguir practicando para nuestra competición final, porque la práctica hace al maestro.

• See how fast you are getting better at the piano? Practice makes perfect / Ves que tan rápido estás mejorando en el piano? La práctica hace al maestro.

Additional examples:  

• Do you know how a player like Larry Bird gets to be so good? By taking thousands of jump shots every day. Practice, practice, practice! Practice makes perfect.

• Come on guys, do it again! I want to see you getting this right. Practice makes perfect!

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TODAY'S IDIOM: PIG IN A POKE

"PIG IN A POKE"

 A deal that is made without first examining it.

Example: Clothes from a catalogue are a pig in a poke. You can't feel the quality of the fabric or know if the clothes will fit.

Gato por liebre.

Example sentences:

• When you buy a used car, you may be getting a pig in a poke / Cuando compras un automóvil usado, puedes conseguir un gato por liebre.

• You shouldn't buy a house without thoroughly inspecting it, It is like buying a pig in a poke / Usted no debería comprar una casa sin inspeccionarla a fondo, es como comprar un gato por liebre.

Additional examples:

• The car salesman was peddling a pig in a poke.  

• That car he bought is a real pig in a poke.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: FUDDY-DUDDY

"FUDDY-DUDDY"

An old-fashioned and foolish type of person. 

Example: You may accuse me of being and old fuddy-duddy trying to stop young people having fun. 

Chapado a la antigua.

Example sentences:

• We know the world is changing and don't want to seem fuddy-duddy or to be left behind / Sabemos que el mundo está cambiando y no quiero parecer chapado a la antigua o quedarme atrás.

• George is just this fuddy-duddy person who married her mother / George es precisamente esta persona chapado a la antigua que se casó con su madre.

Additional examples:

• Someone whom you have thought of as a bit of a fuddy-duddy may show surprising insight born of years of experience.

• Yep, and my father never lost that either, that idea of being responsible without being a fuddy-duddy.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: CUT TO THE CHASE

"CUT TO THE CHASE"

Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point.

Example: All right, let's stop the idle chatter and cut to the chase.

Al grano.

Example sentences:

• After a few introductory comments, we cut to the chase and began negotiating / Después de unos comentarios introductorios, fuimos al grano y comenzamos a negociar.  

• I didn't have long to talk to him so I cut to the chase and asked whether he was still married / Yo no tenía mucho tiempo para hablar con él, así que fui  al grano y le pregunté si todavía estaba casado.

Additional examples: 

• I know your time is important, Lin, so I'll cut to the chase and inform you that we have no idea where your dog is, but we've set up notices around the city to help you in your search.

• Cut to the chase already, I have little time!

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TODAY'S IDIOM: AN ARM AND A LEG

"AN ARM AND A LEG"

Very expensive. A large amount of money.

Example: Buying that car cost me an arm and a leg, but it sure is a beauty.

Un ojo de la cara.

  

• These opera tickets cost us an arm and a leg! / Estas entradas para la ópera nos costaron un ojo de la cara.

• Buying a brand new car is going to cost us an arm and a leg, maybe we should save money by riding a bike or the bus to work / La compra de un coche nuevo nos va a costar un ojo de la cara, tal vez deberíamos ahorrar dinero al andar en bicicleta o en el autobús para trabajar.

Additional examples:

• Dan, there's absolutely no possible way for us to afford this procedure, but if you still want to go through with it, you should know that it's going to cost us an arm and a leg.

• It cost them an arm and a leg to fix up a rumpus room for junior!

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TODAY'S IDIOM: BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

"BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE"

Stuck between two very bad options.

Example: I couldn't make up my mind. I was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Entre la espada y la pared.

• I'm caught between a rock and a hard place; If I go with Isabel, it'll be much more expensive and if I go with Julie, Isabel probably won't speak to me again / Estoy entre la espada y la pared; si voy con Isabel, va a ser mucho más caro y si voy con Julie, Isabel probablemente no vuelvas a hablarme.

• I'm between a rock and a hard place, on one hand I can go to the movies with my friends, or I can choose to go to dinner with my lovely girlfriend / Estoy entre la espada y la pared, por un lado puedo ir al cine con mis amigos, o puedo optar por ir a cenar con mi novia encantadora.

Additional examples: 

• Mariah found herself stuck between a rock and a hard place when she received a big dent to her car; she either had to spend the money and have it repaired, or drive around with an unsightly dent on her vehicle.

• I'd like to help you but I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN ONE DAY

"ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN ONE DAY"

If you want something to be completely properly, then its going to take time.

Example: Sometimes it feels like we've spent all our lives decorating this house. Well, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Roma no se construyó en un día.

• Are you still working on that same painting? Hey! Rome was not built in one day! / ¿Sigues trabajando en ese mismo cuadro? Oye! Roma no se construyó en un día!

• It will be at least six more years of study before I can become a doctor. Rome was not built in one day /  Será por lo menos seis años más de estudio antes de que pueda convertirme en un médico. Roma no se construyó en un día.

Additional examples: 

• It is taking me a long time to write this computer program. Rome was not built in one day.

• It's taken me years to build this site, and I'm still not finished! Still, Rome wasn't built in a day.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT

"OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT"

Getting a bad start on a relationship or task.

Example: It's too bad you two got off on the wrong foot because you guys can be such good friends.

Empezar con el pie izquierdo.

• I don't want us to get off on the wrong foot; let's be frank and open from the beginning / No quiero que empezemos con el pie izquierdo; vamos a ser francos y abiertos desde el principio.

• When I met my girlfriend’s father, I started off on the wrong foot because I was drunk / Cuando conocí al padre de mi novia, empecé con el pie izquierdo porque estaba borracho.

Additional examples:  

• I didn't want to start off on the wrong foot at my new job, so I made sure I was 10 minutes early.

• Holly's new secretary really got off on the wrong foot by being rude to visitors.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: HE LOST HIS HEAD

"HE LOST HIS HEAD"

Angry and overcome by emotions. 

Example: He completely lost his head after the death of his father 

Perder la cabeza.

• He lost his head, so they threw him out of the game / Él perdió la cabeza, por lo que lo echaron del juego.

• I'm really sorry about what I did. I lost my head / Realmente lo siento por lo que hice, perdí la cabeza.

Additional examples:

• Okay, I'll tell you what happened. But first promise that you won't lose your head.

• I got so angry yesterday, I completely lost my head.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: AGAINST THE CLOCK

"AGAINST THE CLOCK"

Rushed and short on time.

Example: Scientists were working against the clock to collect specimens before the volcano erupted again.

Contra reloj.

• With her term paper due on Monday, she was racing against the clock to finish it / Con su trabajo final para el Lunes, fue una carrera contra el reloj para terminar.

• They were working against the clock to stay on schedule / Ellos estaban trabajando contra reloj en el programa.

Additional examples: 

• The last round will be against the clock.

• The medic, the wounded soldiers and their comrades began a frantic race against the clock.

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TODAY'S IDIOM: OUT OF THE BLUE

"OUT OF THE BLUE"

Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.

Example: Her brother showed up at the wedding out of the blue.

De la nada / De repente.

• Then one day, completely out of the blue, I had a letter from her / Entonces un día, completamente de la nada, recibí una carta de ella.

• And out of the blue, he kissed me / Y de repente me dio un beso.

Additional examples:

• One day, out of the blue, she announced that she was leaving.

• Out of the blue, my parents decided to buy me a brand new car for my birthday.  I'm so happy!

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TODAY'S IDIOM: A SLAP ON THE WRIST

"A SLAP ON THE WRIST"

A very mild punishment.

Example:  When Billy tried to grab another cookie, he got a slap on the wrist.

Un tirón de orejas.

• He created quite a disturbance, but he only got a slap on the wrist from the judge / Él creó un gran alboroto, pero sólo consiguió un tirón de orejas del juez. 

• It’s not enough to slap his wrist; you need to strongly reprove him / No es suficiente darle un tirón de orejas; necesitas reprenderle fuertemente.

Additional examples:

• The judge did nothing but slap the mugger on the wrist.

• Some of our players got a slap on the wrist for getting to the training session late. 

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TODAY'S IDIOM: YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

"YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER"

Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance.

Example:  I was nervous about talking to a guy that had big muscles and tattoos, but he was way nicer than I thought he would be, so I guess you can't judge a book by its cover.

No puedes juzgar a un libro por su portada.

• She doesn't look very intelligent, but you can't judge a book by its cover / Ella no parece muy inteligente, pero no puedes juzgar un libro por su portada.

• I know you want to think he's honest, but be careful; you can't judge a book by its cover / Sé que quieres pensar que él es honesto, pero ten cuidado; no se puede juzgar un libro por su portada. 

Additional examples:

• John: I want to buy this car. It looks great...Julie: Have a test drive with someone who knows cars well before you decide, you can't judge a book by its cover.

• Robert is a nice guy and you can't judge a book by its cover; so please don't comment on him.

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