If you're waiting for a star to fall from heaven, you'll be waiting for something that never arrives.
Like Godot, or in Poland, pears from a willow tree...
Like Godot, or in Poland, pears from a willow tree...
Game - guess Polish idioms/sayings in direct English translation
Waiting for something that will never happen?
Yes, of course, but .....
If you're waiting for a star to fall from heaven, you'll be waiting for something that never arrives.
Yes, of course but ........
There is still another explanation connected with "not doing sth"
A hint: The title of the article about a known Polish actor: He wasn`t waiting for a little star from the sky:
plus.dziennikzachodni.pl/robert-wieckiewicz-nie-czekal-na-gwiazdke-z-nieba/ar/c13-15073000
Not seizing opportunities when you can?
Not sitting back and waiting for things just to maybe happen?
Not sitting back and waiting for things just to maybe happen?
No, it isn`t about accidental opportunities.
Another hint: I remember my mother reproaching me with the phrase a lot when I was a boy. What were typical situations when it occured? oops, another riddle. hahahaha
Another hint: I remember my mother reproaching me with the phrase a lot when I was a boy. What were typical situations when it occured? oops, another riddle. hahahaha
A bit like the English phrase "waiting for Christmas". Waiting for someone to do something and the wait seems endless. Waiting and waiting and it still hasn't happened yet.
Chemikiem
11 Oct 2020 #1056
There is still another explanation connected with "not doing sth"
Is it not expecting something to just fall into your lap? That you have to put the effort in and work if you want to succeed?
No and yes!
By "not doing sth" I meant not doing what you are supposed to do. When sb is idle and doing nothing, we might ask them: what are you waiting for ? A little star from the sky?? Get down to work at last.
When I mentioned my mother saying it, she asked it in an ironic tone when I procrastinated with some chores, e.g, cleaning my room or sth else before Christmas.
The article about the actor suggests he wasn`t waiting for a little star, counting only on his inborn talent, but also he worked hard and developed his skills through laborious practice.
The person in the mem was pathetically waiting for a star instead of doing sth constructive with his/her miserable life.
That was a bedtime story about a little star from the sky, dear kids, I hope you enjoyed it. hahahahaha
By "not doing sth" I meant not doing what you are supposed to do. When sb is idle and doing nothing, we might ask them: what are you waiting for ? A little star from the sky?? Get down to work at last.
When I mentioned my mother saying it, she asked it in an ironic tone when I procrastinated with some chores, e.g, cleaning my room or sth else before Christmas.
The article about the actor suggests he wasn`t waiting for a little star, counting only on his inborn talent, but also he worked hard and developed his skills through laborious practice.
The person in the mem was pathetically waiting for a star instead of doing sth constructive with his/her miserable life.
That was a bedtime story about a little star from the sky, dear kids, I hope you enjoyed it. hahahahaha
By "not doing sth" I meant
When you kept harping on what he wasn't doing... I got stuck on "He's not playing a saxophone version of 'Hotel California'" and it was hard to move on... though "He's not making models of scarabs to sell to tourists in Egypt" had some purchase on my mind....
He's not playing a saxophone version of 'Hotel California'"
Exactly. He/she wasn`t practising before the concert, only waiting for the star.
He's not making models of scarabs to sell to tourists in Egypt
Exactly! The lazy boy was daydreaming about the star instead of modelling scarabs to maintain his family.
to fly with a head in the sky
Do you meanto walk with the head in the clouds?
head in the clouds
Same in English.
Chemikiem
13 Oct 2020 #1063
Pensa za twoje myśli.
Only a penny??? Most of our thoughts here are golden, they are worth much more.
Pensa za twoje myśli.
In Polish we would say - what are you thinking of (so hard)?
the knife is opening in the pocket
Chemikiem
14 Oct 2020 #1066
what are you thinking of (so hard)?
Yep, that's what it means.
the knife is opening in the pocket
Anger levels are rising, blood boiling etc. Someone is outraged?
Someone is outraged?
Yes, many Poles when they see how PiS is dealing with pandemics. hahaha
I have just told sb:
not to be in the sauce
to get up with the left leg.
not to be in the sauce
to get up with the left leg.
not to be in the sauce
Out of sorts .... ('nie w sosie' is a very weird expression imho)
the second is 'get up on the wrong side of the bed'
Chemikiem
15 Oct 2020 #1070
to get up with the left leg.
It sounds similar to ' to get off on the wrong foot' which basically means to make a bad start at something.
Out of sorts
Or under the weather..
Yes, Chem and maf - correct guesses.
Maf, stay a moment
No, it is not - it goes back to times when people invented the idea of the four humors, or fluid substances: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. This theory was closely related to the theory of the four elements: earth, fire, water, and air. E.g., Earth was represented by black bile, fire by yellow bile etc.
In old Poland, humors were also called sauces. Today wa say humor for mood.
Maf, stay a moment
('nie w sosie' is a very weird expression imho)
No, it is not - it goes back to times when people invented the idea of the four humors, or fluid substances: blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm. This theory was closely related to the theory of the four elements: earth, fire, water, and air. E.g., Earth was represented by black bile, fire by yellow bile etc.
In old Poland, humors were also called sauces. Today wa say humor for mood.
Chemikiem
17 Oct 2020 #1072
siedzieć na płocie.
The same as to straddle on the barricade??
Chemikiem
17 Oct 2020 #1074
I haven't heard that term before but it sounds like it might mean the same as to sit on the fence........so what does it mean?
I wanted to asnwer according to the Polish barricade saying which means to try to be on good terms with two rivaling sides, but decided to make sure and Bang1 it is not the same: sit on the fence means to delay the decision.
Do yuo remember the known saying: a scythe hit the stone? How about: to sell sb a scythe.
Do yuo remember the known saying: a scythe hit the stone? How about: to sell sb a scythe.
isn't it to stab somebody?
With the idea of doing it particularly brutally and quickly.
With the idea of doing it particularly brutally and quickly.
Chemikiem
20 Oct 2020 #1077
sit on the fence means to delay the decision.
Yes, exactly.
Polish barricade saying which means to try to be on good terms with two rivaling sides
Interesting, sounded like they might have the same meaning.
isn't it to stab somebody?
I would go with that too.
Yes, to stab sb with a knife. A slang expression popular among soccer hooligans.
Another one from those circles: to have a scythe with sb.
Before I forget: two idioms with fly motive.
to fall like flies
some heads are gonna fly
Another one from those circles: to have a scythe with sb.
Before I forget: two idioms with fly motive.
to fall like flies
some heads are gonna fly
Chemikiem
22 Oct 2020 #1079
to have a scythe with sb.
To have a fight or quarrel with someone?
to fall like flies
It sounds similar to 'dropping like flies' which means to die or fall down in large numbers, or to stop doing an activity in large numbers.
some heads are gonna fly
Sounds like 'heads are gonna roll'. Basically means that someone will pay dearly and be held to account for a failure or wrongdoing.
Yes, yes, yes!
Now it is your turn. :)
Now it is your turn. :)