Italian 🇮🇹 /a kaˈval doˈnato non si ˈɡwarda in ˈbokka/ (ah kah-VAL doh-NAH-toh non see GWAR-da een BOK-ka) Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth (lit.) A proverb meaning you shouldn’t criticize a gift or free offer. Used to remind someone to be grateful for what they receive. Example: Non ti piace il colore? A caval donato non si guarda in bocca. You don’t like the color? Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. ...
Portuguese 🇧🇷 🇵🇹 /ɐ.ʒwɨˈʎo(w) ˈtɐ̃j̃ kɨ ʁɨˈzaɾ/ (ah-zhoo-EL-hoh teng keh heh-ZAR) You kneeled, so you need to pray (lit.) A Brazilian idiom used to indicate that someone must face the consequences of their decisions or actions, especially after committing to something. Used when someone has committed to something and now must follow through, regardless of the difficulty. Example: Agora que você começou o projeto, ajoelhou tem que rezar. Now that you’ve started the project, you have to follow through. ...
German 🇩🇪 /daː liːkt deːɐ̯ hʊnt bəˈɡʁaːbn̩/ (dah leekt der HOOND beh-GRAH-ben) That’s where the dog is buried (lit.) A German idiom meaning ’that’s the heart of the matter’ or ’that’s the real issue.' Used when revealing the true reason behind a situation or problem. Example: Er hat ständig Streit mit dem Chef – da liegt der Hund begraben. He’s always arguing with the boss – that’s the real issue. ...
Dutch 🇳🇱 /doːr də ˈboːmən ɦɛt bɔs nit meːr zin/ (door deh BO-men het BOS neet meer ZEEN) Not seeing the forest for the trees (lit.) A Dutch idiom meaning to be so overwhelmed by details that you lose sight of the bigger picture. Used when someone is too focused on small details to understand the overall situation. Example: Je maakt je druk om elk klein dingetje. Je ziet door de bomen het bos niet meer. You’re stressing over every little thing. You can’t see the forest for the trees. ...
Spanish 🇪🇸 /esˈtaɾ ˈkomo ˈuna ˈkaβɾa/ (es-TAR CO-mo OO-na CA-bra) To be like a goat (lit.) A Spanish idiom meaning someone is a bit crazy or eccentric. Used to describe someone who behaves in a wild or unpredictable way. Example: ¡Está bailando en la calle! Está como una cabra. She’s dancing in the street! She’s like a goat.
German 🇩🇪 /ɪç fɛɐ̯ˈʃteːə nuːɐ̯ ˈbaːnhoːf/ (ikh fer-SHTEH-uh noor BAHN-hohf) I only understand train station (lit.) A humorous way to say ‘I don’t understand anything’ or ‘It’s all Greek to me.’ Used when someone is completely confused or doesn’t understand a topic. Example: Kannst du das nochmal erklären? Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof. Can you explain that again? I don’t understand a thing.
Italian 🇮🇹 /in ˈbok.ka al ˈlu.po/ (een BOHK-kah ahl LOO-poh) In the mouth of the wolf (lit.) An Italian idiom used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or exam. Used to wish someone good luck in challenging situations. Example: In bocca al lupo per il tuo esame! Good luck for your exam!
French 🇫🇷 /lɛs.pʁi də lɛs.ka.lje/ (les-PREE duh les-kah-LYAY) The spirit of the staircase (lit.) A French phrase describing the predicament of thinking of the perfect reply too late. Used when someone thinks of a clever response after the moment has passed. Example: J’ai eu l’esprit de l’escalier après le débat. I thought of the perfect comeback after the debate.
French 🇫🇷 /le kaʁɔt sɔ̃ kɥit/ (lay kah-ROT sohn KWEET) The carrots are cooked (lit.) A French idiom meaning the situation is irreversible or hopeless. Used when something is beyond saving or the outcome is inevitable. Example: Il a raté son examen. Les carottes sont cuites. He failed his exam. The carrots are cooked.
Spanish 🇪🇸 /mas ˈba.le ˈtar.de ke ˈnuŋ.ka/ (mahs VAH-leh TAR-deh keh NOON-kah) Better late than never (lit.) A Spanish proverb expressing that it’s better to do something late than not at all. Used to encourage action even if delayed. Example: Finalmente terminó el proyecto. Más vale tarde que nunca. He finally finished the project. Better late than never.