Aunque son idiomas distintos, el inglés y el español comparten muchas más cosas de lo que a primera vista pudiera parecer.
Los idioms son dichos populares, intrínsecos y exclusivos de la cultura que los habla. Sin embargo, hay dichos que tanto en español como en inglés vienen directamente de La Biblia y, por tanto, son prácticamente idénticos. Otros, son préstamos que ha hecho el español de conceptos desarrollados por angloparlantes y viceversa.
Aunque estos idioms son casi un calco en ambos idiomas, te recomiendo aprender su sentido y uso en inglés porque no siempre es «exactamente» igual.
put two and two together
Draw a conclusion from something that is evident.
| enespañol# sumar dos y dos |
| After his thorough explanation, everybody was able to put two and two together and make a judgement |
| She hasn’t admitted to dating him but by the way they look at each other anyone can put two and two together |
lose the thread
Get lost in a conversation or forget what you were about to say.
| enespañol# perder el hilo |
| I totally forgot what I was about to say. I am sorry, I lost the thread |
| I can’t stand my Ethics professor. He is always babbling about so many things he loses the thread in every step |
get the message
Understand the main idea of something.
| enespañol# captar el mensaje |
| Aren’t you getting the message? She wants you to leave now |
| Some people still don’t get the message: the time for bigotry and intolerance is over |
walking encyclopedia
Said of somebody who knows it all.
| enespañol# enciclopedia con patas |
| My cousin is a walking encyclopedia. She knows more than Google! |
| He’s a walking encyclopedia but he’s no smart pants |
weigh your words
Choose carefully how to say something.
| enespañol# medir tus palabras |
| My in-laws are extremely religious. Please, weigh your words before talking to them |
| Your father is very upset by your behavior, weigh your words when you speak to him |
at a stone´s throw
Near, a very short distance.
| enespañol# a tiro de piedra |
| We don´t need a ride, thanks. The pub is at a stone´s throw |
| Even though it’s at a stone’s throw, let’s take the bus. I’m exhausted! |
rest on one´s laurels
To rely on past achievements instead of continue working, to stop trying.
| enespañol# dormirse en los laureles |
| In business, it is of uttermost importance not to rest on your laurels. Otherwise, competitors will outrun you easily |
| While Europe is resting on her laurels, several Asian countries are catching up and will soon outgrow the old continent |
you reap what you sow
We all have to face the consequences of our actions.
| enespañol# se recoge lo que se siembra |
| If you are mean to others, you won’t have any friends, son. Remember that you reap what you sow |
| I told you. Don’t cheat on you girl, you reap what you sow |
a picture is worth a thousand words
A complex idea can be better or more easily explained with an image.
| enespañol# una imagen vale más que mil palabras |
| It took a horrible photo for the world to acknowledge the refugee crisis. As always, a picture is worth a thousand words |
| They say they are in love but look at their eyes, not their fake smile. I’m telling you, a picture is worth a thousand words |
be all ears
To be ready to pay full attention to somebody.
| enespañol# ser todo oídos |
| Just let me focus on this, I’ll be all ears once I have finished |
| Yes, please do tell me. I’m all ears |
recharge one’s batteries
To regain strength by resting.
| enespañol# recargar las pilas |
| I need to take a break and recharge my batteries before finals |
| A cabin in the woods with no wi-fi is perfect for recharging your batteries |