May 8, 2013
a batalla de amor, campo de plumas
in the fight for love, a soft playing field. (lit.: in the battle of love, a field of feathers; n.b.: Mexican saying)
in the fight for love, a soft playing field. (lit.: in the battle of love, a field of feathers; n.b.: Mexican saying)
a boca de borracho, oídos de cantinero
pay not attention to the loud talk of a drunk. (lit.: from the mouth of a drunk, the sounds of a bar; n.b.: Mexican saying)
pay not attention to the loud talk of a drunk. (lit.: from the mouth of a drunk, the sounds of a bar; n.b.: Mexican saying)
a buen hambre no hay mal pan
beggars can't be choosers. (lit.: for strong hunger there's no bad bread; used in Colombia)
beggars can't be choosers. (lit.: for strong hunger there's no bad bread; used in Colombia)
a buen hambre no hay pan duro
beggars cant be choosers. (lit.: for strong hunger there’s no bad bread)
beggars cant be choosers. (lit.: for strong hunger there’s no bad bread)
a buen sueño no hay mala cama
a tired person can sleep anywhere. (lit.: there is no bad bed for good sleep; n.b.: Mexican saying)
a tired person can sleep anywhere. (lit.: there is no bad bed for good sleep; n.b.: Mexican saying)
a buenas horas, mangas verdes
lock the barn door after the horse is stolen. (lit.: at good times, green sleeves)
lock the barn door after the horse is stolen. (lit.: at good times, green sleeves)
a burro viejo, aparejo nuevo
age can only be hidden so much. (lit.: for an old donkey, a new bridle; n.b.: Mexican saying)
age can only be hidden so much. (lit.: for an old donkey, a new bridle; n.b.: Mexican saying)
a caballo regalado no se le miran los dientes
don't look a gift horse in the mouth
don't look a gift horse in the mouth
a cada cerdo le llega su San Martin
everyone gets their just desserts; everyone gets their come-uppance. (lit.: each pig gets his Saint Martin)
everyone gets their just desserts; everyone gets their come-uppance. (lit.: each pig gets his Saint Martin)
a cada nidito le gusta su pajarito
a man's home is his castle. (lit.: each little bird likes his small nest; n.b.: Mexican saying)
a man's home is his castle. (lit.: each little bird likes his small nest; n.b.: Mexican saying)
a cada puerco le llega su San Martin
everyone gets their just desserts; everyone gets their come-uppance. (lit.: each pig gets his Saint Martin)
everyone gets their just desserts; everyone gets their come-uppance. (lit.: each pig gets his Saint Martin)
a cazador nuevo, perro viejo
experience counts. (lit.: an old/experienced dog for a new hunter; n.b.: Mexican saying)
experience counts. (lit.: an old/experienced dog for a new hunter; n.b.: Mexican saying)
a Dios rogando y con el mazo dando
God helps those who help themselves. (lit.: to God begging and with the mallet in action)
God helps those who help themselves. (lit.: to God begging and with the mallet in action)
a falta de pan, buenas son tortas
any port in a storm; beggars cannot be choosers. (lit.: for lack of brean, pies are good)
any port in a storm; beggars cannot be choosers. (lit.: for lack of brean, pies are good)
a flaco perro todo son pulgas
it never rains but it pours
it never rains but it pours
a gato satisfecho no le preocupa ratón
a satisfied cat does not care about a mouse. (n.b.: Mexican saying, which of course does not generally hold true for people)
a satisfied cat does not care about a mouse. (n.b.: Mexican saying, which of course does not generally hold true for people)
a gran caballo, grandes espuelas
make the suit fit the occasion. (lit.: for a great horse, large spurs; n.b.: a Mexican saying)
make the suit fit the occasion. (lit.: for a great horse, large spurs; n.b.: a Mexican saying)
a la mula y a la mujer, a palos se ha de vencer
a mule and a woman must be defeated with blows from sticks. (n.b.: a Mexican saying; probably not the best approach with women)
a mule and a woman must be defeated with blows from sticks. (n.b.: a Mexican saying; probably not the best approach with women)
a la vejez, viruelas
there’s no fool like an old fool. (lit.: at old age, smallpox)
there’s no fool like an old fool. (lit.: at old age, smallpox)
a las mujeres bonitas y a los buenos caballos los echan a perder los pendejos
beautiful women and good horses are lost by idiots. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
beautiful women and good horses are lost by idiots. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
a los amigos uno los escoge; los parientes son a huevo
one chooses one's friends, but family is from birth. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
one chooses one's friends, but family is from birth. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
a mal tiempo, buena cara
look on the bright side. (lit.: during a bad time, a nice face)
look on the bright side. (lit.: during a bad time, a nice face)
a mucha hambre, no hay pan duro
hunger is the best sauce. (lit.: when very hungry, there is no hard/stale bread)
hunger is the best sauce. (lit.: when very hungry, there is no hard/stale bread)
a oscuras y en silencio, no hay mujer sin ingenio
in the dark and quiet, all women are smart. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
in the dark and quiet, all women are smart. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
a quien cuida la peseta nunca le falta un duro
look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. (lit.: he who takes care with pesetas [Spanish coin] never has any hardship)
look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. (lit.: he who takes care with pesetas [Spanish coin] never has any hardship)
a quien dan no escoge
beggers cannot be choosers. (lit.: he who is given [something] does not choose)
beggers cannot be choosers. (lit.: he who is given [something] does not choose)
a quien madruga, Dios le ayuda
God helps those who help themselves; the early bird catches the worm. (lit.: God helps he who awakens early)
God helps those who help themselves; the early bird catches the worm. (lit.: God helps he who awakens early)
a quien tiene buenos dineros, le huelen bien hasta los pedos
those with wealth smell good right down to their farts. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
those with wealth smell good right down to their farts. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
a rey muerto, rey puesto
as soon as one goes out the window, another comes in the door. (lit.: a king dead, a king in place)
as soon as one goes out the window, another comes in the door. (lit.: a king dead, a king in place)
a río revuelto, ganancia de pescadores
there’s good fishing in troubled waters
there’s good fishing in troubled waters
abejas que tienen miel tienen aguijón
every rose has its thorns. (lit.: bees with honey have stingers; a Mexican saying)
every rose has its thorns. (lit.: bees with honey have stingers; a Mexican saying)
abierto el cajón, hasta el más honrado es ladrón
deep down we are all thieves. (lit.: when the box is open, even the most honorable is a thief)
deep down we are all thieves. (lit.: when the box is open, even the most honorable is a thief)
agua pasada no mueve molino
it’s no use crying over spilt milk. (lit.: water that has past by does not move mill)
it’s no use crying over spilt milk. (lit.: water that has past by does not move mill)
aguacero a las tres, buena tarde es
a downpower at three makes for a good afternoon. (n.b.: in many regions a sudden storm is followed by clear, sunny weather; a Mexican expression)
a downpower at three makes for a good afternoon. (n.b.: in many regions a sudden storm is followed by clear, sunny weather; a Mexican expression)
al buen entendedor, pocas palabras (le bastan)
a word to the wise is sufficient. (lit.: to an expert, few words [are needed])
a word to the wise is sufficient. (lit.: to an expert, few words [are needed])
al buen pagador no le duelen prendas
a good payer will not object to leaving a deposit. (i.e.: good faith is easy for someone with good intentions)
a good payer will not object to leaving a deposit. (i.e.: good faith is easy for someone with good intentions)
al freír será el reír
he who laughs last laughs best. (lit.: when one fries will be when one laughs)
he who laughs last laughs best. (lit.: when one fries will be when one laughs)
al hierro caliente batir de repente
strike while the iron is hot. (lit.: strike the hot iron suddenly)
strike while the iron is hot. (lit.: strike the hot iron suddenly)
al jacal viejo no le faltan goteras
the old house does not not lack for leaks. (i.e.: older people and things suffer from problems constantly; a Mexican expression)
the old house does not not lack for leaks. (i.e.: older people and things suffer from problems constantly; a Mexican expression)
al llegar a la vejez, se oye y mira lo que no es
when old age arrives, what isn't is still seen and heard. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
when old age arrives, what isn't is still seen and heard. (n.b.: a Mexican saying)
al pescando y a la mujer, con los dedos ha de ser
when fishing or with women, one must use one's fingers. (i.e.: one must act carefully and gently; a Mexican expression)
when fishing or with women, one must use one's fingers. (i.e.: one must act carefully and gently; a Mexican expression)
al primer tapón, zurrapa(s)
everyone has to learn. (lit.: at the plug, dregs)
everyone has to learn. (lit.: at the plug, dregs)
al probar se ve el mosto
the proof of the pudding is in the eating. (lit.: the grape juice is seen upon testing)
the proof of the pudding is in the eating. (lit.: the grape juice is seen upon testing)
al que madruga, Dios lo ayuda
the early bird catches the worm. (lit.: he who wakes early, God helps)
the early bird catches the worm. (lit.: he who wakes early, God helps)
al que nace barrigón es al ñudo que lo fajen
a leopard does not change its spots. (n.b.: used in Cono Sur)
a leopard does not change its spots. (n.b.: used in Cono Sur)
al que se aleja lo olvidan y al que se muere lo entierran
out of sight, out of mind, and when dead, buried. (n.b.: a Mexican expression that reminds us that to be taken into consideration we must be present at all times)
out of sight, out of mind, and when dead, buried. (n.b.: a Mexican expression that reminds us that to be taken into consideration we must be present at all times)
allá van leyes, do quieren reyes
might makes right. (lit.: the laws go where the kings want; n.b.: "do" is a literary form of "donde"; a Mexican saying)
might makes right. (lit.: the laws go where the kings want; n.b.: "do" is a literary form of "donde"; a Mexican saying)
allí donde fueres haz como vieres
when in Rome, do as the Romans do. (lit.: where you may be, do as you see)
when in Rome, do as the Romans do. (lit.: where you may be, do as you see)
allí tampoco atan los perros con longaniza(s)it’s the same all over the world. (lit.: there they don’t tie dogs with sausages either
amor con celos, causa develos
love with jealousy causes sleepless nights. (n.b.: a Mexican aphorism)
love with jealousy causes sleepless nights. (n.b.: a Mexican aphorism)
antes se coge al embustero que al cojo
your lies will catch up with you in the end. (lit.: the liar is caught before a lame person is)
your lies will catch up with you in the end. (lit.: the liar is caught before a lame person is)
arroz que no se menea, se quema
rice that is not stirred will burn. (n.b.: a Mexican saying urging activity and involvement in life)
rice that is not stirred will burn. (n.b.: a Mexican saying urging activity and involvement in life)
asno muerto, la cebada al rabo
lock the barn door after the horse has gone. (lit.: donkey dead, the barley to the tail)
lock the barn door after the horse has gone. (lit.: donkey dead, the barley to the tail)
aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda
fine feathers don’t make fine birds. (lit.: although the [female] monkey is dressed in silk, she remains a monkey)
fine feathers don’t make fine birds. (lit.: although the [female] monkey is dressed in silk, she remains a monkey)
aunque lo que dicen no es, con que lo aseguren basta
although what they say is not so, with assurances, it is enough. (n.b.: a Mexican saying which reminds us that those in power do not admit mistakes)
although what they say is not so, with assurances, it is enough. (n.b.: a Mexican saying which reminds us that those in power do not admit mistakes)
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