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Hello Neil,

In my own language there are some expressions I use sometimes and of course which can not be literally translated. I would like to know if they were any English equivalent.

The first one would be to express a great relief and happiness like after passing a very difficult exam or getting something unhoped-for or doing the impossible. The French expression has something to with the moon which would be unhooked!

The second expression would be to talk about the intense proudness of the person above, but it could be a bit negative, it refers to people too much proud of themselves and eventually quite irritating. We say "he is as proud as a louse".

The last one describes someone who has attempted a rash action but miserably failed. To illustrate, a bit like when I tried to use English idioms with some non-native English colleagues. (I remember testing "you are pulling my leg" and "i've painted the town red" I must confess that being perhaps out of context I did a pretty flop). To help the description, as we said in French "I got back in my shell" and said nothing more.

A bit of advice, it would be better to try them with English people ;) but we must go on...

Hi Neil,
As usual, you are in the ball with your comments. Thanks! I have been improving my English skills through the ��ѿ��ýlerningenglish.com. Furthermore, I used to make a daily tour on The English we speak, on The teacher with his funny….”I am a very intelligent and interesting man…..” Six minutes English, Ask about English , Pronunciation tips, Beyond the postcard, between others. As a result, after read it, I felt myself as wearing the full Monty .Moreover, I did find out a valuable treasure ,reading the priors students and teacher blogs .As a reader; you, will find lots of instructive grammar English guidelines .I strongly recommend –all the students-to read those blogs.
All the best,
Alfonso

Hi Nill
Personally I have came across to some of English idioms which some times have the same meaning or some times simply the same words in such cases I think they have imported to my language from over seas or maybe vice versa : )
So with out further ado here you are :
1) Eyes popped out the same words in Farsi
2) A black sheep Farsi version : the cow with white fore head
3) My lips are sealed the same words in " Farsi "
4) Nurse a Grudge : A Camel hate
5) To nip some thing it in the bud almost the same in "Farsi "
6) The pot calling the kettle black : the same but a pot calling other pot black :)
7) The grass on the other side is greener : the hen of neighbor is goose
8) Pull up one's socks : almost the same in Farsi
9) Step on some ones shoes : exactly the same word in Farsi
10) Hands are tied : exactly the same word in Farsi
11) Stew in ones own juice : the potage which one's made
Like other ��ѿ��ý LE fans I try follow Six minute English , The English we speak , The teacher and etc . Thank you fab team ... You are the best ! Keep going the good Job!
Let's to bounce
Cheers
Pary from Iran

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Hi Neil!
In this instalment u've mentioned very interesting and tricky issue. In our native language we use from time to time various idioms helping us to stress our words and phrases. And sometimes it becomes very uneasy to explain the meaning of such ones to the foreigners. It's better when you can find an equivalent of your native idiom in foreign language.
My native language is Russian. And some people abroad who've heard something about Russia often say "Ahaaa.. I know ur phrase 'for the health'!" Actually this phrase can often be listened in American blockbasters when people drink vodka, raising their glasses and saying "for the health".
Omg that is such a common stereotype about Russia and Russian toasts!
But we use "for the health" in our casual life quitely often. Here are some examples.

-I give smb an apple, or put the plate with food on the table to someone and these people say me: "Thank you".
-In my turn I answer them: "For the health", literally wishing them to be healthy. This phrase can also be replaced by "ur welcome".

I don't know if English has such equivalent. I would be glad if it has and I can take it onboard!

WBW, Evoluta:)

Hi Neil and everyone,
I just back from a short trip to my hometown. Consequently, I want to apologize all of you if I´m late to answer your comments.
I just want to say pals, Thanks!
Thanks! Neil for your core advice on. Your comments are the real drive behind ours blogs and the fastest way to improve our English skills.

Let´s go and take a look in the context of my last blog:

´Once upon a time´ where a country was built with coffee…Believed or not, with coffee. I swear of God, is true! This is not a fairy tale. Let's go together through the mountains of Colombia. Now, we are in the middle of the triangle formed by the three main coffee growers regions in this country.

And now the same out of context:

´Once upon a time´ where a country was built with coffee…

Believed or not, with coffee. I swear of God, is true! This is not a fairy tale. Let's go together through the mountains of Colombia. Now, we are in the middle of the triangle formed by the three main coffee growers regions in this country.

As you must notice, the first statement was placed out of context as a blog’s title.
When I wrote ´Once upon a time´ where a country was built with coffee…´the first part of the statement ´ Once upon a time´ must call out the reader’s attention through the metaphorical language .You must make up your mind.´ Once upon a time´ must lead the reader through one unreal world.It´s up to you believe it or not.I swear of God(Please, do not believe my word)..
No one country was built of coffee. Do you remember the Hansel and Gretel, the famous Brothers Grimm fairy tale? They found out a house made with cookies and candies. If you did read that tale- when you was a kid- you believed it. I did; indeed.I´m a naive person. In Easter Season, in States you ´ll see Ginger´s houses. The most beautiful part of the metaphorical language is that you must believe in those stories, with no strings attached. So then, you can smile freely.
When I wrote my country Colombia´ was built with coffee´, I was using metaphorical language, meaning the economy, the culture, the roots; all around my country was related with coffee and the folk’s ´spin of´ around it. ´Spinning off´ was used just to explain folks make a living, derive all, making ends meet around and with coffee beans.
Smile
if your heart is aching
Smile...

All the best,
Alfonso.