Idioms Around the World: What They Say and What They Mean

Idioms are like the spice of language, adding flavor and personality to everyday speech. They
often don't make much sense when taken literally, but they carry meanings that resonate
deeply within cultures. Let’s take a fun journey around the world to explore some fascinating
idioms, their literal translations, and what they really mean.

1. "Break a leg" (English)

 Literal Meaning: To physically break a leg.

 Figurative Meaning: To wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
 Background: This idiom is commonly used in the theater world. It might have
originated from the superstitious belief that wishing someone good luck directly would
bring bad luck.

2. "To have a cat in the sack" (German: "Die Katze im Sack kaufen")

 Literal Meaning: To buy a cat in a sack.

 Figurative Meaning: To buy something without seeing or knowing much about it; to
make a blind purchase.
 Background: This idiom warns against making hasty decisions without proper
inspection. It’s similar to the English idiom "to buy a pig in a poke."

3. "The elephant in the room" (English)

 Literal Meaning: An elephant present in a room.

 Figurative Meaning: An obvious problem or issue that people avoid discussing.
 Background: This idiom highlights the absurdity of ignoring something as obvious as
an elephant, emphasizing the tendency to avoid uncomfortable topics.

4. "To ride a donkey backwards" (Spanish: "Montar el burro al revés")

 Literal Meaning: To ride a donkey backwards.

 Figurative Meaning: To do something the wrong way or to be awkward in a
situation.
 Background: This humorous image illustrates the idea of approaching a task or
situation in an incorrect or clumsy manner.

5. "To have a monkey on one's back" (French: "Avoir un singe sur le dos")

 Literal Meaning: To have a monkey on one’s back.

 Figurative Meaning: To have a persistent problem or addiction.
 Background: This idiom conveys the idea of being burdened by an issue that is
difficult to shake off, much like how a monkey might cling stubbornly.

6. "To let a frog out of your mouth" (Finnish: "Päästää sammakko suusta")

 Literal Meaning: To let a frog out of your mouth.

 Figurative Meaning: To say something awkward or embarrassing.
  Background: This quirky image represents the uncomfortable feeling of saying the
wrong thing at the wrong time, as if a frog unexpectedly jumped out.

7. "To walk around in hot porridge" (Swedish: "Gå som katten kring het gröt")

 Literal Meaning: To walk around in hot porridge.

 Figurative Meaning: To avoid addressing the main issue.
 Background: This idiom paints a picture of skirting around a hot topic, much like a
cautious cat avoiding the hot center of a porridge bowl.

8. "To paint the devil on the wall" (Dutch: "De duivel op de muur schilderen")

 Literal Meaning: To paint the devil on the wall.

 Figurative Meaning: To anticipate trouble or to bring bad luck by imagining the
worst.
 Background: This idiom suggests that expecting negative outcomes can sometimes
make them more likely to happen, akin to creating trouble by visualizing it.

9. "To give someone a pumpkin" (Italian: "Dare un bidone")

 Literal Meaning: To give someone a pumpkin.

 Figurative Meaning: To stand someone up or to reject a date.
 Background: This colorful expression humorously conveys the disappointment of
being left out or rejected, as if receiving an unexpected and unwanted pumpkin.

10. "To draw a snake and add feet" (Chinese: "画蛇添足")

 Literal Meaning: To draw a snake and add feet.

 Figurative Meaning: To ruin something by adding unnecessary details.
 Background: This ancient Chinese idiom warns against overcomplicating matters by
adding superfluous elements that detract from the original purpose.