Expressions in English- or other languages

[Mrs.Anteater]

Yesterday, I had to think about expressions in languages. Since I am not living with a native speaker, that is something I haven’t learned many of. So I thought we could start a thread about it. The funny thing with them is that often if you take them literally, you don’t get the meaning.
Same of them seem to exist in German and English, for example “ the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree trunk”- is in German, I believe there is a similar saying in English.
I think there might be typical East- or West coast sayings?
“ Back’n down the hatches” xis probably an east-coaster?
JAe might know some saying in Korean , he could contribute?

In German, one says- “ he is so slow, you can put new soles on his shoes while he is walking…”

Keep the examples coming

 

[Mendalla]

“ Back’n down the hatches” xis probably an east-coaster?

"Batten down the hatches" is what I think you are thinking of. It's a nautical term originally, meaning lock everything down tight due to a storm. At least that's my understanding of the origin. Now it can mean just getting ready for some crisis in general. So not really an east coaster. Probably came over with the Brits or something.

“ the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree trunk”- is in German, I believe there is a similar saying in English.

Pretty much exactly that in English, yes. I use that one a lot myself.

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," is one I'll toss out. Means you're better off with something you have than what you don't, which is pretty obvious really but still makes a nice colorful expression.

 

[WhyCzar]

for example “ the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree trunk”- is in German

I am learning Spanish so I looked that one up.

In Spanish: De tal palo, tal astilla

Literal English translation: As such (the) stick, such (the) splinter

Idiom: like father like son / the apple doesn't fall far from the tree

 

[Jaebius]

...for example “ the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree trunk”- is in German, I believe there is a similar saying in English.

In English it's usually just "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

I don't know any Korean ones offhand to share, but sometimes when I tell my students an English phrase, they'll then tell me the similar Korean phrase. I'll listen for those and post them here.

Gemini tells me the closest Korean phrase to the apple one is, "피는 못 속인다" (You can't hide blood)

 

[WhyCzar]

Making a mountain out of a molehill.

A Dane would say at gøre en myg til en elefant

Literally in English: to make a mosquito into an elephant

 

[JayneWonders]

What's good for the goose, is good for the gander.

 

[Jaebius]

A stitch in time saves nine.

Early to bed and early to rise...

The early bird catches the worm.

Haste makes waste

 

[WhyCzar]

Here's an easy one:

Bob's your Uncle.

 

[JayneWonders]

oh my goodness, haven't heard that one for a LONG time Trying to remember which of my parent's used to say it.

 

[WhyCzar]

What's that got to do with the price of tea in China?

 

[JayneWonders]

lol, Dad said that one.

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

 

[WhyCzar]

The proof's in the pudding.

 

[Jaebius]

The proof's in the pudding.

The proof of the pudding is in the tasting