PHRASES WITHOUT BORDERS

What Is The British Phrase For “Third Wheel”? Famous Phrases Translated

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To say that the English language is filled to the brim with quirky and baffling idioms is no groundbreaking news: after all, we say that someone has "kicked the bucket" when they pass away, or that a heavy thunderstorm is comparable to "cats and dogs" raining from the sky. However, while we have previously delved into the inherent strangeness of the idioms we use every day, one of the most beautiful aspects of these phrases is how difficult they are to translate: tell a non-native English speaker that you are "head over heels" for them and you might only receive a weird look as a response. Luckily, for every strange English idiom, there’s always an even stranger idiom that conveys the same meaning, though using entirely different images. With that in mind, here are ten of the most unique equivalents of English idioms we could find. Enjoy!

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We’ll start with one that perfectly describes how baffling some of these idioms are. Whenever someone says "It’s all Greek to me" they are trying to convey how incomprehensible or difficult something is. In a way, this idiom makes perfect sense: English and Greek are extremely dissimilar, from the way both languages sound to the way they are written.

Similarly, the Czech language’s equivalent to this idiom also focuses on a completely dissimilar language to convey this feeling. The expression je to pro mě španělská vesnice literally translates to "It's a Spanish village to me."

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To say that someone has "rekindled an old flame" means that they have rediscovered feelings for a former partner. In that sense, these idioms are fairly self-explanatory: the image of lighting up a fire perfectly summarizes the heat and excitement of passion. However, Italy’s answer to this idiom perplexingly focuses on an objectively less romantic image. Let’s put it this way: if you had to associate passion and intimacy with a vegetable, would you honestly pick a cabbage?

The Italian phrase cavolo riscaldato, the equivalent to "rekindling an old flame", literally translates to "reheated cabbage." If this doesn’t speak to you, we have good and bad news. The good news is that some regions of Italy use a variant of this idiom, minestra riscaldata, so you might prefer to use this one the next time you find yourself in "the Boot." The bad news is that this idiom doesn’t fare that much better, since it translates to "reheated soup."

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No one wants to be the third wheel, that friend caught in the awkward position of unwillingly chaperoning a date. While tricycles are definitely a thing, this idiom speaks to how useless a third wheel is to a two-wheeled vehicle like a bicycle. Moreover, an argument could be made that it also highlights how troublesome it would be to carry a third and motionless wheel: it is as awkward for the couple as it is for the third party. Like we said, no one wants to be the third wheel.

In that sense, British English has a colorful idiom with the same meaning as "third wheel": being an unwanted companion is known in the United Kingdom as "playing gooseberry." The history behind this idiom is rather interesting: it comes from how chaperones would pretend to pick gooseberries to allow couples some intimacy during a date.

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The color blue has been associated with sadness since at least the late 19th century: "Having the blues" is a common idiom that describes not feeling great. There’s a reason why Blues music received this name: its slow chords and melancholic lyrics usually convey an atmosphere of sadness.

While the English language has a primary color to describe sadness, French is not so lucky: the phrase avoir le cafard, the equivalent of "having the blues," literally means "to have the cockroach." While definitively unpleasant, a point could be made that encountering a cockroach produces an unpleasant feeling not completely dissimilar to the blues.

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Quick question: if you had to choose the subject of our next idiom between a spade or a cat, would you even hesitate to choose the kitten? We know you wouldn’t: who in their right mind would pick a boring old spade over an adorable little furry bundle of joy?

Unfortunately for us English speakers, we are stuck with the idiom "to call a spade a spade" whenever we need to speak bluntly and in a straightforward manner. On the other hand, the French equivalent to this idiom is the phrase appeler un chat un chat, which translates to "to call a cat a cat."

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Any English speaker "taking the fall" is facing responsibility or repercussions for someone else’s actions, whether it is done intentionally or not. While this idiom is rather self-explanatory, the same can’t be said about its Portuguese counterpart: the phrase pagar o pato translates to "pay the duck."

Don’t worry, this idiom doesn’t involve reimbursing any ducks. Its origins can be traced back to an old Portuguese fable in which a dispute concerning the cost of a duck breaks out between a poor family and a duck vendor.

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When someone is "in the dark," they are completely unaware of something happening in the background. Whether they are kept in the dark by someone or they choose to live in ignorant bliss doesn’t really affect the meaning of this idiom: at the end of the day, someone is "in the dark" just by ignoring something.

In that sense, the imagery of this idiom seems rather obvious: someone whose vision is impaired and can’t see properly. Curiously, the German equivalent of this idiom still manages to convey the same meaning with an entirely different picture: the idiom Tomaten auf den Augen haben means "to have tomatoes on one's eyes."

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While we mostly use it as a mild and more polite swear word, the term "darn" actually has a definition: it can be used as a verb for mending knitted clothing like a sweater, or as a noun to describe patches and holes in clothes. Funnily, when it comes to the idiom "to give a darn," both meanings of this word can be used. Since this idiom means not caring at all about something, both a meaningless hole and a bland insult can convey this feeling.

On the contrary, some Spanish-speaking countries have an equivalent idiom that makes use of one of the most beloved vegetables in the world. The phrase me importa un pepino roughly translates to "It matters to me as much as a cucumber does." While we can’t be sure if this idiom speaks of how cheap or how disliked cucumbers are in the Spanish-speaking world, we are certain that being told that you matter as much as a vegetable is definitively a hard pill to swallow.

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Don’t worry; this idiom doesn’t involve any curses: The devil won’t actually show up if you speak of him, like some sort of Bloody Mary urban legend. This extremely popular idiom is used whenever you are talking about someone, and they suddenly show up at that exact moment.

In the Spanish-speaking world, the devil is replaced with a king. Contrary to what you might think though, the saying does not mention the king of Spain, but rather a fictional king of the capital city of Italy: Spanish speakers use the expression hablando del rey de Roma, which literally translates to "speaking of the King of Rome."

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We’ll end this article with the idiom that confused us the most. The expression "a wolf in sheep’s clothing" is used to describe a dangerous person hiding behind an innocent facade. This idiom comes from the New Testament, where Jesus warns his disciples against false prophets who mask their dark intentions with kindness. In any case, this idiom doesn’t require much explanation: a wolf is, after all, a dangerous predator to defenseless sheep.

However, Japan’s take on this idiom uses what’s probably this country’s most beloved pet. Japan’s expression "To wear a cat in your head" means exactly the same thing as "a wolf in sheep’s clothing." We know this is confusing, but trust us, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation. Japan’s very well-documented love for cats means that no one would ever suspect a cat of something nefarious. Thus, hiding behind a cat’s cuteness helps divert prying eyes from someone’s true intentions.

WORDPLAY PARADOX

Double Take: Explore the Two-Faced World of Contronyms

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The English language is a fascinating tapestry woven with countless quirks and nuances. Among its many delights are contronyms, words that have two contradictory meanings.

These linguistic anomalies add a delightful twist to communication, and they often require context to avoid misunderstandings. Read on as we go through a list of contronyms, explore their duality, and uncover their origins.

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Let’s kick off this list with a word that evokes images of both separation and unity at the same time. On one hand, it can mean to adhere firmly to something, as in "to cleave to tradition."

In the context of adherence, it is all about sticking together like peanut butter and jelly.

But here is the twist, this word can also mean to split apart, as in "to cleave through the dense underwood." A lumberjack wielding an axe is ready to "cleave through a mighty oak."

How did this linguistic paradox come to be? Well, "cleave" originates from two separate Old English words, "cleofian" meaning "to adhere" and "cleofan" meaning "to split." Over time, these two divergent meanings merged into one delightful linguistic enigma.

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Now, here’s a word that will keep you on your toes. Depending on the context, it can either mean to approve or to penalize. How’s that for a linguistic rollercoaster?

Originating from the Latin word "sanction," meaning "law" or "decree," sanction has managed to maintain its dual personality throughout its journey into the English language. When used for approval, "sanction" is like a stamp of authority, giving the green light to proceed. For example, "The committee voted to sanction the new project, signaling their full support."

However, it can morph into its alter ego, meaning punishment or penalty. For example, you might say, "The regulatory body decided to sanction the company for violating environmental regulations."

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Prepare to have your cleaning routine turned upside down with the contradictory nature of "dust." This deceptive little word can mean both to remove dust and to sprinkle with fine particles. It’s like a linguistic magic trick, leaving you wondering which way is up.

In the context of cleaning, "dust" means to rid surfaces of pesky particles that accumulate over time. You might say, "I need to dust the shelves before guests arrive for dinner."

But hold on to your feather dusters, because this word can also mean to sprinkle with fine particles and, in that context, you might find yourself saying, "The baker carefully dusted the freshly baked pastries with cocoa powder."

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If you thought bolts were just for locking doors, think again. "Bolt" is another word that defies expectations meaning both to secure tightly and to make a swift gateway. It’s like having a trusty tool and a daring escape plan all rolled into one.

In the context of securing, "bolt" is all about fastening something firmly in place. In this case, an example would be, "Be sure to bolt the gate shut to keep the livestock from wandering off."

But don’t get too comfortable because "bolt" also means to dash away at lightning speed, leaving others in the dust. You might use it in a sentence like, "When the alarm sounded, the thief made a desperate attempt to bolt from the scene."

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In the world of gardening, the word "seed" is a vital component of growth. But did you know it can also mean the opposite? That’s right, "seed" can both mean to sow seeds for planting and to remove seeds from fruits or vegetables. It’s like playing chef and gardener at the same time!

When used in the context of planting, "seed" is all about laying the groundwork for future growth. An example of this meaning could be: "It’s time to seed the garden with tomatoes and cucumbers for a summer full of fresh produce."

At the same time, "seed" can also mean to remove seeds, like when preparing a delicious meal. In a sentence, it could go: "After slicing the peppers, be sure to seed them to reduce the heat."

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When it comes to giving something a makeover, the word "trim" seems straightforward enough. But in the world of contronyms, nothing is as it seems. "Trim" can mean both adding decorative elements and removing excess material. It’s like being both an interior designer and a tailor, all in one fell swoop.

In the context of adding, "trim" means embellishing or decorating something to enhance its appearance. You can "add a lace trim to a dress" or "adorn a tree with colorful trimmings."

On the other hand, "trim" can also mean removing excess material or parts of something to improve efficiency or aesthetics. You can "trim back overgrown bushes," or "trim any excess of fat from the meat."

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When you think of a screen, you might envision a movie theater or a computer monitor. But did you know that "screen" can also mean both to display and to conceal?

According to the first definition, "screen" is to showcase or present something for everyone to see. For example, "The art gallery screened a documentary highlighting the artist’s creative process."

As for the second definition, "screen" also refers to shielding or hiding from view. In this case, you can use it in a sentence like, "The curtains were drawn to screen the room from the harsh afternoon sun."

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In the world of business, you have probably overlooked a project. But you have probably overlooked a detail that unleashed hell too, isn’t that so? "Overlook" is a fascinating contronym as it can mean both to supervise and to neglect.

In the context of supervising, "overlook" is a synonym for "monitoring", that is, it means to watch something over with care and attention. For example, "As the project manager, it’s my job to overlook the progress of the team."

However, it can also be a synonym for failing to pay attention, quite ironic, isn’t it? In this context, overlooking something might end in unintended consequences, like, "Don’t overlook the details, or you might miss an important opportunity."

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In the natural world, "weather" stands as a true anomaly. It’s a word that plays with our perceptions, veering between resilience and erosion. Like a cliff facing the relentless pounding of waves, "weather" embodies both strength and vulnerability.

When the tempests rage and the skies darken, "weather" becomes a symbol of resilience. In the face of adversity, we say a person or thing can "weather the storm," emerging stronger on the other side.

Yet, there’s another facet to this polysemic word. "Weather" can also mean the slow erosion of time’s touch. In this sense, to "weather" is to bear witness to the ceaseless march of time, where even the mightiest structures yield to its embrace.

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In the dance of presence and absence, the word "left" takes center stage, twirling between what remains and what has departed. It’s like having one foot in the past and one foot in the present, never quite sure where you stand.

Amidst the flow of comings and goings, "left" refers to what remains or is still available after others have departed. You might say, "I’ll take the last slice of pizza since no one else is left to claim it."

However, "left" can also mean having departed or gone away, leaving behind an empty space or a sense of loss. You might use it in a sentence like, "She felt a pang of sadness as she realized her friends had all left the party without saying goodbye."