😳 Trouble Idioms
English has plenty of colorful ways to describe things going wrong. You can find yourself in hot water, realize you're on thin ice, or discover that a small decision has opened a can of worms. And when an opportunity disappears, you may simply have missed the boat.
These 11 idioms are useful for talking about mistakes, risky decisions, difficult situations, missed opportunities, and the point when someone decides it is finally time to give up.
⚠️ Trouble, Risk & Failure Idioms
🌉 Burn Your Bridges
Meaning: To destroy the possibility of returning to a previous situation or relationship.
Example:
Before quitting, make sure you're certain. You don't want to burn your bridges with a company that could be useful to you later.
Destruir la posibilidad de volver a una situación o relación anterior.
🇫🇷 French: Brûler ses vaisseaux
Détruire la possibilité de revenir à une situation ou une relation précédente.
🇩🇪 German: Alle Brücken hinter sich abbrechen
Die Möglichkeit zerstören, in eine frühere Lage oder Beziehung zurückzukehren.
🇮🇹 Italian: Bruciare i ponti
Distruggere la possibilità di tornare a una situazione o a un rapporto precedente.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Queimar as pontes
Destruir a possibilidade de voltar a uma situação ou relação anterior.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from the military image of destroying a bridge after crossing it, making retreat or return impossible. It later became a metaphor for deliberately eliminating future options.
Meaning: To destroy the possibility of returning to a previous situation or relationship.
Example:
Before quitting, make sure you're certain. You don't want to burn your bridges with a company that could be useful to you later.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Quemar las navesDestruir la posibilidad de volver a una situación o relación anterior.
🇫🇷 French: Brûler ses vaisseaux
Détruire la possibilité de revenir à une situation ou une relation précédente.
🇩🇪 German: Alle Brücken hinter sich abbrechen
Die Möglichkeit zerstören, in eine frühere Lage oder Beziehung zurückzukehren.
🇮🇹 Italian: Bruciare i ponti
Distruggere la possibilità di tornare a una situazione o a un rapporto precedente.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Queimar as pontes
Destruir a possibilidade de voltar a uma situação ou relação anterior.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from the military image of destroying a bridge after crossing it, making retreat or return impossible. It later became a metaphor for deliberately eliminating future options.
🔥 In Hot Water
Meaning: To be in trouble or facing criticism because of something you have done.
Example:
The manager is in hot water after sending the confidential report to the wrong client.
Estar en problemas o recibir críticas por algo que has hecho.
🇫🇷 French: Être dans de beaux draps / dans le pétrin
Être en difficulté ou confronté à des critiques à cause de quelque chose que l'on a fait.
🇩🇪 German: In der Patsche sitzen
In Schwierigkeiten sein oder Kritik bekommen wegen etwas, das man getan hat.
🇮🇹 Italian: Essere nei guai
Essere nei guai o sotto critica per qualcosa che si è fatto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estar encrencado
Estar em apuros ou sofrendo crítica por algo que você fez.
🕰️ Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but the expression has been used in English for centuries. Being physically immersed in hot water provides an obvious image of being in an uncomfortable or difficult situation.
Meaning: To be in trouble or facing criticism because of something you have done.
Example:
The manager is in hot water after sending the confidential report to the wrong client.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Estar en un aprieto / en problemasEstar en problemas o recibir críticas por algo que has hecho.
🇫🇷 French: Être dans de beaux draps / dans le pétrin
Être en difficulté ou confronté à des critiques à cause de quelque chose que l'on a fait.
🇩🇪 German: In der Patsche sitzen
In Schwierigkeiten sein oder Kritik bekommen wegen etwas, das man getan hat.
🇮🇹 Italian: Essere nei guai
Essere nei guai o sotto critica per qualcosa che si è fatto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estar encrencado
Estar em apuros ou sofrendo crítica por algo que você fez.
🕰️ Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but the expression has been used in English for centuries. Being physically immersed in hot water provides an obvious image of being in an uncomfortable or difficult situation.
🏃 Jump the Gun
Meaning: To act or begin something too early, before the appropriate time.
Example:
We haven't signed the contract yet, so don't jump the gun and announce the partnership.
Actuar o empezar algo demasiado pronto, antes de tiempo.
🇫🇷 French: Brûler les étapes / partir trop tôt
Agir ou commencer trop tôt, avant le moment opportun.
🇩🇪 German: Zu früh loslegen / voreilig handeln
Zu früh handeln oder etwas beginnen, bevor der richtige Zeitpunkt da ist.
🇮🇹 Italian: Partire in quarta / anticipare i tempi
Agire o iniziare qualcosa troppo presto, prima del momento giusto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Se precipitar / sair na frente cedo demais
Agir ou começar algo cedo demais, antes da hora certa.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from races in which a starter fires a starting gun. A runner who moves before the gun has officially started the race has effectively “jumped” it.
Meaning: To act or begin something too early, before the appropriate time.
Example:
We haven't signed the contract yet, so don't jump the gun and announce the partnership.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Adelantarse / precipitarseActuar o empezar algo demasiado pronto, antes de tiempo.
🇫🇷 French: Brûler les étapes / partir trop tôt
Agir ou commencer trop tôt, avant le moment opportun.
🇩🇪 German: Zu früh loslegen / voreilig handeln
Zu früh handeln oder etwas beginnen, bevor der richtige Zeitpunkt da ist.
🇮🇹 Italian: Partire in quarta / anticipare i tempi
Agire o iniziare qualcosa troppo presto, prima del momento giusto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Se precipitar / sair na frente cedo demais
Agir ou começar algo cedo demais, antes da hora certa.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from races in which a starter fires a starting gun. A runner who moves before the gun has officially started the race has effectively “jumped” it.
⛵ Miss the Boat
Meaning: To miss an opportunity because you acted too late or failed to take advantage of it.
Example:
We could have bought those tickets for half the price, but we waited too long and missed the boat.
Perder una oportunidad por actuar demasiado tarde o no aprovecharla.
🇫🇷 French: Rater le coche
Manquer une occasion parce qu'on a agi trop tard ou qu'on n'en a pas profité.
🇩🇪 German: Den Anschluss verpassen
Eine Chance verpassen, weil man zu spät handelt oder sie nicht nutzt.
🇮🇹 Italian: Perdere il treno
Perdere un'occasione perché si è agito troppo tardi o non la si è sfruttata.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Perder o bonde
Perder uma oportunidade porque agiu tarde demais ou não aproveitou.
🕰️ Origin: The expression uses the simple image of arriving at a dock after a boat has already left. Once the boat is gone, that particular opportunity has disappeared.
Meaning: To miss an opportunity because you acted too late or failed to take advantage of it.
Example:
We could have bought those tickets for half the price, but we waited too long and missed the boat.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Perder el trenPerder una oportunidad por actuar demasiado tarde o no aprovecharla.
🇫🇷 French: Rater le coche
Manquer une occasion parce qu'on a agi trop tard ou qu'on n'en a pas profité.
🇩🇪 German: Den Anschluss verpassen
Eine Chance verpassen, weil man zu spät handelt oder sie nicht nutzt.
🇮🇹 Italian: Perdere il treno
Perdere un'occasione perché si è agito troppo tardi o non la si è sfruttata.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Perder o bonde
Perder uma oportunidade porque agiu tarde demais ou não aproveitou.
🕰️ Origin: The expression uses the simple image of arriving at a dock after a boat has already left. Once the boat is gone, that particular opportunity has disappeared.
🪝 Off the Hook
Meaning: Free from blame, responsibility, punishment, or an unpleasant situation.
Example:
The investigation found that Maya wasn't responsible for the mistake, so she's off the hook.
Quedar libre de culpa, responsabilidad, castigo o de una situación desagradable.
🇫🇷 French: Être hors de cause / s'en tirer
Être libéré d'un blâme, d'une responsabilité, d'une sanction ou d'une situation désagréable.
🇩🇪 German: Aus der Affäre sein
Frei von Schuld, Verantwortung, Strafe oder einer unangenehmen Lage sein.
🇮🇹 Italian: Essere fuori dai guai
Essere liberi da colpa, responsabilità, punizione o da una situazione sgradevole.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sair dessa / ficar livre
Ficar livre de culpa, responsabilidade, punição ou de uma situação desagradável.
🕰️ Origin: The expression is commonly linked to fishing. A fish that gets off a hook escapes capture, creating the figurative idea of a person escaping an obligation or difficult situation.
Meaning: Free from blame, responsibility, punishment, or an unpleasant situation.
Example:
The investigation found that Maya wasn't responsible for the mistake, so she's off the hook.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Quedar libre / salir del apuroQuedar libre de culpa, responsabilidad, castigo o de una situación desagradable.
🇫🇷 French: Être hors de cause / s'en tirer
Être libéré d'un blâme, d'une responsabilité, d'une sanction ou d'une situation désagréable.
🇩🇪 German: Aus der Affäre sein
Frei von Schuld, Verantwortung, Strafe oder einer unangenehmen Lage sein.
🇮🇹 Italian: Essere fuori dai guai
Essere liberi da colpa, responsabilità, punizione o da una situazione sgradevole.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sair dessa / ficar livre
Ficar livre de culpa, responsabilidade, punição ou de uma situação desagradável.
🕰️ Origin: The expression is commonly linked to fishing. A fish that gets off a hook escapes capture, creating the figurative idea of a person escaping an obligation or difficult situation.
🧊 On Thin Ice
Meaning: In a risky situation where one more mistake could cause serious trouble.
Example:
You're already on thin ice after missing two deadlines, so I'd be careful about asking for another extension.
Estar en una situación arriesgada en la que un error más podría causar un problema serio.
🇫🇷 French: Marcher sur des œufs / être en terrain glissant
Être dans une situation risquée où une erreur de plus pourrait créer de sérieux ennuis.
🇩🇪 German: Sich auf dünnem Eis bewegen
In einer riskanten Lage sein, in der ein weiterer Fehler ernsthaften Ärger bringen könnte.
🇮🇹 Italian: Essere sul filo del rasoio
Essere in una situazione rischiosa in cui un altro errore potrebbe causare guai seri.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estar em gelo fino
Estar numa situação arriscada em que mais um erro pode dar um problema sério.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from the literal danger of walking across ice that may not be thick enough to support your weight. The metaphor works because one wrong step can have immediate consequences.
Meaning: In a risky situation where one more mistake could cause serious trouble.
Example:
You're already on thin ice after missing two deadlines, so I'd be careful about asking for another extension.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Estar en terreno resbaladizoEstar en una situación arriesgada en la que un error más podría causar un problema serio.
🇫🇷 French: Marcher sur des œufs / être en terrain glissant
Être dans une situation risquée où une erreur de plus pourrait créer de sérieux ennuis.
🇩🇪 German: Sich auf dünnem Eis bewegen
In einer riskanten Lage sein, in der ein weiterer Fehler ernsthaften Ärger bringen könnte.
🇮🇹 Italian: Essere sul filo del rasoio
Essere in una situazione rischiosa in cui un altro errore potrebbe causare guai seri.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estar em gelo fino
Estar numa situação arriscada em que mais um erro pode dar um problema sério.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from the literal danger of walking across ice that may not be thick enough to support your weight. The metaphor works because one wrong step can have immediate consequences.
🪱 Open a Can of Worms
Meaning: To create a complicated situation that leads to many additional problems or questions.
Example:
Changing one rule might seem simple, but it could open a can of worms for every department in the company.
Crear una situación complicada que genera muchos problemas o preguntas más.
🇫🇷 French: Ouvrir une boîte de Pandore
Créer une situation compliquée qui entraîne encore plus de problèmes ou de questions.
🇩🇪 German: Eine Büchse der Pandora öffnen
Eine verwickelte Lage schaffen, die viele weitere Probleme oder Fragen nach sich zieht.
🇮🇹 Italian: Aprire un vaso di Pandora
Creare una situazione complicata che porta a molti altri problemi o domande.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Abrir uma caixa de Pandora
Criar uma situação complicada que gera muitos outros problemas ou perguntas.
💡 Usage: This expression is often used when a seemingly small issue could reveal a much larger and more complicated problem.
Meaning: To create a complicated situation that leads to many additional problems or questions.
Example:
Changing one rule might seem simple, but it could open a can of worms for every department in the company.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Abrir la caja de PandoraCrear una situación complicada que genera muchos problemas o preguntas más.
🇫🇷 French: Ouvrir une boîte de Pandore
Créer une situation compliquée qui entraîne encore plus de problèmes ou de questions.
🇩🇪 German: Eine Büchse der Pandora öffnen
Eine verwickelte Lage schaffen, die viele weitere Probleme oder Fragen nach sich zieht.
🇮🇹 Italian: Aprire un vaso di Pandora
Creare una situazione complicata che porta a molti altri problemi o domande.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Abrir uma caixa de Pandora
Criar uma situação complicada que gera muitos outros problemas ou perguntas.
💡 Usage: This expression is often used when a seemingly small issue could reveal a much larger and more complicated problem.
🧂 Rub Salt in the Wound
Meaning: To make an already painful or unpleasant situation even worse.
Example:
Losing the final was disappointing enough, but seeing the winning team celebrate right in front of us really rubbed salt in the wound.
Empeorar una situación que ya es dolorosa o desagradable.
🇫🇷 French: Remuer le couteau dans la plaie
Rendre encore pire une situation déjà douloureuse ou désagréable.
🇩🇪 German: Salz in die Wunde streuen
Eine schon schmerzhafte oder unangenehme Lage noch schlimmer machen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Gettare sale sulla ferita
Peggiorare una situazione già dolorosa o sgradevole.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Esfregar sal na ferida
Piorar uma situação que já é dolorosa ou desagradável.
🕰️ Origin: Salt has long been used to clean wounds, but putting it into an open wound causes intense pain. The literal image became a metaphor for adding something painful to an already difficult situation.
Meaning: To make an already painful or unpleasant situation even worse.
Example:
Losing the final was disappointing enough, but seeing the winning team celebrate right in front of us really rubbed salt in the wound.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Echar sal en la heridaEmpeorar una situación que ya es dolorosa o desagradable.
🇫🇷 French: Remuer le couteau dans la plaie
Rendre encore pire une situation déjà douloureuse ou désagréable.
🇩🇪 German: Salz in die Wunde streuen
Eine schon schmerzhafte oder unangenehme Lage noch schlimmer machen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Gettare sale sulla ferita
Peggiorare una situazione già dolorosa o sgradevole.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Esfregar sal na ferida
Piorar uma situação que já é dolorosa ou desagradável.
🕰️ Origin: Salt has long been used to clean wounds, but putting it into an open wound causes intense pain. The literal image became a metaphor for adding something painful to an already difficult situation.
🚪 Show Someone the Door
Meaning: To tell or force someone to leave a place, organization, or job.
Example:
After several warnings about his behavior, the club finally showed him the door.
Decirle a alguien que se vaya o obligarlo a dejar un lugar, una organización o un trabajo.
🇫🇷 French: Montrer la porte à quelqu'un
Dire à quelqu'un de partir ou le forcer à quitter un lieu, une organisation ou un emploi.
🇩🇪 German: Jemandem die Tür weisen
Jemanden auffordern oder zwingen, einen Ort, eine Organisation oder einen Job zu verlassen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mostrare la porta a qualcuno
Dire o costringere qualcuno a lasciare un posto, un'organizzazione o un lavoro.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Mostrar a porta para alguém
Mandar ou forçar alguém a sair de um lugar, de uma organização ou de um emprego.
💡 Usage: The expression can be literal, but it is often used figuratively for dismissing someone from a job, organization, or situation.
Meaning: To tell or force someone to leave a place, organization, or job.
Example:
After several warnings about his behavior, the club finally showed him the door.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Enseñar la puerta / echar a alguienDecirle a alguien que se vaya o obligarlo a dejar un lugar, una organización o un trabajo.
🇫🇷 French: Montrer la porte à quelqu'un
Dire à quelqu'un de partir ou le forcer à quitter un lieu, une organisation ou un emploi.
🇩🇪 German: Jemandem die Tür weisen
Jemanden auffordern oder zwingen, einen Ort, eine Organisation oder einen Job zu verlassen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Mostrare la porta a qualcuno
Dire o costringere qualcuno a lasciare un posto, un'organizzazione o un lavoro.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Mostrar a porta para alguém
Mandar ou forçar alguém a sair de um lugar, de uma organização ou de um emprego.
💡 Usage: The expression can be literal, but it is often used figuratively for dismissing someone from a job, organization, or situation.
🧹 Sweep It Under the Rug
Meaning: To hide, ignore, or avoid dealing with a problem instead of solving it.
Example:
We can't keep sweeping these complaints under the rug. Eventually someone will have to deal with them.
Ocultar, ignorar o evitar un problema en vez de resolverlo.
🇫🇷 French: Mettre sous le tapis
Cacher, ignorer ou éviter un problème au lieu de le résoudre.
🇩🇪 German: Unter den Teppich kehren
Ein Problem verstecken, ignorieren oder umgehen, statt es zu lösen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Nascondere sotto il tappeto
Nascondere, ignorare o evitare un problema invece di risolverlo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Varrer para debaixo do tapete
Esconder, ignorar ou evitar um problema em vez de resolvê-lo.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from the literal image of sweeping dirt or unwanted material beneath a rug so that it cannot be seen. The hidden mess represents a problem that has been concealed rather than solved.
Meaning: To hide, ignore, or avoid dealing with a problem instead of solving it.
Example:
We can't keep sweeping these complaints under the rug. Eventually someone will have to deal with them.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Barrer debajo de la alfombraOcultar, ignorar o evitar un problema en vez de resolverlo.
🇫🇷 French: Mettre sous le tapis
Cacher, ignorer ou éviter un problème au lieu de le résoudre.
🇩🇪 German: Unter den Teppich kehren
Ein Problem verstecken, ignorieren oder umgehen, statt es zu lösen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Nascondere sotto il tappeto
Nascondere, ignorare o evitare un problema invece di risolverlo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Varrer para debaixo do tapete
Esconder, ignorar ou evitar um problema em vez de resolvê-lo.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from the literal image of sweeping dirt or unwanted material beneath a rug so that it cannot be seen. The hidden mess represents a problem that has been concealed rather than solved.
🥊 Throw in the Towel
Meaning: To give up or admit that you can no longer continue.
Example:
After three failed attempts to repair the old computer, I finally threw in the towel and bought a new one.
Rendirse o admitir que ya no puedes seguir.
🇫🇷 French: Jeter l'éponge
Abandonner ou admettre qu'on ne peut plus continuer.
🇩🇪 German: Das Handtuch werfen
Aufgeben oder zugeben, dass man nicht mehr weitermachen kann.
🇮🇹 Italian: Gettare la spugna
Arrendersi o ammettere di non poter più continuare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Jogar a toalha
Desistir ou admitir que você não consegue mais continuar.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from boxing. A boxer's trainer could throw a towel into the ring to signal that the fighter should stop, effectively admitting that the fight could not safely continue.
Meaning: To give up or admit that you can no longer continue.
Example:
After three failed attempts to repair the old computer, I finally threw in the towel and bought a new one.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Tirar la toallaRendirse o admitir que ya no puedes seguir.
🇫🇷 French: Jeter l'éponge
Abandonner ou admettre qu'on ne peut plus continuer.
🇩🇪 German: Das Handtuch werfen
Aufgeben oder zugeben, dass man nicht mehr weitermachen kann.
🇮🇹 Italian: Gettare la spugna
Arrendersi o ammettere di non poter più continuare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Jogar a toalha
Desistir ou admitir que você não consegue mais continuar.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from boxing. A boxer's trainer could throw a towel into the ring to signal that the fighter should stop, effectively admitting that the fight could not safely continue.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
🏃 Jump the gun vs. ⛵ Miss the boat
These expressions both involve timing, but they describe opposite mistakes.
Jump the gun means doing something too early.
Miss the boat means doing something too late and losing an opportunity.
Example: Announcing the deal before it is signed means you jumped the gun. Waiting until the offer expired means you missed the boat.
These expressions both involve timing, but they describe opposite mistakes.
Jump the gun means doing something too early.
Miss the boat means doing something too late and losing an opportunity.
Example: Announcing the deal before it is signed means you jumped the gun. Waiting until the offer expired means you missed the boat.
🧊 On thin ice vs. 🔥 In hot water
Both expressions describe trouble, but they emphasize different stages of a difficult situation.
On thin ice means you are in a risky position and another mistake could cause trouble.
In hot water usually means trouble has already arrived.
If your boss warns you that you're on thin ice, you still have a chance to avoid serious consequences. If you're already in hot water, the problem is here.
Both expressions describe trouble, but they emphasize different stages of a difficult situation.
On thin ice means you are in a risky position and another mistake could cause trouble.
In hot water usually means trouble has already arrived.
If your boss warns you that you're on thin ice, you still have a chance to avoid serious consequences. If you're already in hot water, the problem is here.
🪱 Open a can of worms vs. 🧹 Sweep it under the rug
These expressions describe opposite approaches to a problem.
Open a can of worms means to create or uncover a complicated collection of problems.
Sweep it under the rug means to hide or ignore a problem instead of addressing it.
Sometimes people sweep a problem under the rug because they are afraid that dealing with it will open a can of worms.
These expressions describe opposite approaches to a problem.
Open a can of worms means to create or uncover a complicated collection of problems.
Sweep it under the rug means to hide or ignore a problem instead of addressing it.
Sometimes people sweep a problem under the rug because they are afraid that dealing with it will open a can of worms.
🌉 Burn your bridges vs. 🪝 Off the hook
Burn your bridges means deliberately destroying future options or relationships.
Off the hook means escaping blame, responsibility, or an unpleasant situation.
The first expression is about closing a door yourself. The second is about getting out of trouble.
Burn your bridges means deliberately destroying future options or relationships.
Off the hook means escaping blame, responsibility, or an unpleasant situation.
The first expression is about closing a door yourself. The second is about getting out of trouble.
💬 Idioms in Everyday English
🏃 "Don't jump the gun. We haven't heard back from them yet."
A natural way to tell someone not to act before the situation is ready.
🇫🇷 Ne brûle pas les étapes. On n'a pas encore de réponse.
🇩🇪 Leg nicht zu früh los. Wir haben noch nichts von ihnen gehört.
🇮🇹 Non partire in quarta. Non abbiamo ancora avuto risposta.
🇵🇹 Não se precipite. Ainda não tivemos retorno deles.
A natural way to tell someone not to act before the situation is ready.
Show translations
🇪🇸 No te adelantes. Todavía no nos han contestado.🇫🇷 Ne brûle pas les étapes. On n'a pas encore de réponse.
🇩🇪 Leg nicht zu früh los. Wir haben noch nichts von ihnen gehört.
🇮🇹 Non partire in quarta. Non abbiamo ancora avuto risposta.
🇵🇹 Não se precipite. Ainda não tivemos retorno deles.
🧊 "You're on thin ice with the boss after missing another meeting."
This warns someone that their position is becoming risky and another mistake could have consequences.
🇫🇷 Tu marches sur des œufs avec le patron après avoir encore manqué une réunion.
🇩🇪 Du bewegst dich auf dünnem Eis beim Chef, nachdem du schon wieder ein Meeting verpasst hast.
🇮🇹 Sei sul filo del rasoio con il capo dopo aver saltato un'altra riunione.
🇵🇹 Você está em gelo fino com o chefe depois de faltar a mais uma reunião.
This warns someone that their position is becoming risky and another mistake could have consequences.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Estás en terreno resbaladizo con el jefe después de faltar a otra reunión.🇫🇷 Tu marches sur des œufs avec le patron après avoir encore manqué une réunion.
🇩🇪 Du bewegst dich auf dünnem Eis beim Chef, nachdem du schon wieder ein Meeting verpasst hast.
🇮🇹 Sei sul filo del rasoio con il capo dopo aver saltato un'altra riunione.
🇵🇹 Você está em gelo fino com o chefe depois de faltar a mais uma reunião.
🪱 "Let's not open a can of worms unless we really need to."
A useful expression when discussing whether a seemingly simple issue could lead to many complicated problems.
🇫🇷 N'ouvrons pas une boîte de Pandore à moins d'en avoir vraiment besoin.
🇩🇪 Lass uns keine Büchse der Pandora öffnen, wenn es nicht wirklich nötig ist.
🇮🇹 Non apriamo un vaso di Pandora se non è proprio necessario.
🇵🇹 Não vamos abrir uma caixa de Pandora se não for mesmo preciso.
A useful expression when discussing whether a seemingly simple issue could lead to many complicated problems.
Show translations
🇪🇸 No abramos la caja de Pandora si no hace falta de verdad.🇫🇷 N'ouvrons pas une boîte de Pandore à moins d'en avoir vraiment besoin.
🇩🇪 Lass uns keine Büchse der Pandora öffnen, wenn es nicht wirklich nötig ist.
🇮🇹 Non apriamo un vaso di Pandora se non è proprio necessario.
🇵🇹 Não vamos abrir uma caixa de Pandora se não for mesmo preciso.
🥊 "I've tried everything I can think of. I'm ready to throw in the towel."
The speaker is saying that they have decided to stop trying because they no longer expect to succeed.
🇫🇷 J'ai tout essayé. Je suis prêt à jeter l'éponge.
🇩🇪 Ich habe alles versucht, was mir einfällt. Ich bin bereit, das Handtuch zu werfen.
🇮🇹 Ho provato tutto quello che mi viene in mente. Sono pronto a gettare la spugna.
🇵🇹 Já tentei tudo que eu imagino. Estou pronto para jogar a toalha.
The speaker is saying that they have decided to stop trying because they no longer expect to succeed.
Show translations
🇪🇸 He intentado todo lo que se me ocurre. Estoy listo para tirar la toalla.🇫🇷 J'ai tout essayé. Je suis prêt à jeter l'éponge.
🇩🇪 Ich habe alles versucht, was mir einfällt. Ich bin bereit, das Handtuch zu werfen.
🇮🇹 Ho provato tutto quello che mi viene in mente. Sono pronto a gettare la spugna.
🇵🇹 Já tentei tudo que eu imagino. Estou pronto para jogar a toalha.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Read the situation. Choose the idiom that matches it best.
Read the situation. Choose the idiom that matches it best.
Question 1 of 11
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%