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To come out of the woodworkAn idiom is an expression whose meaning is not readily apparent based on the individual words in the expression. This forum is dedicated to discussing idioms and other sayings. |
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#1
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To come out of the woodwork
I'd appreciate some help with translating this phrase. I'll make up a sample sentence.
After Mr. Wilson died and it became known he was a billionaire, all kinds of prospective heirs came out of the wookwork.
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If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it! |
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#2
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Unas ideas:
Cuando murió el Sr. Wilson y al enterarse de que era multimillonario, toda clase de herederos posibles salía de quién sabe dónde. /supuestos herederos/ /herederos futuros/ /salir de la oscuridad/ /salir de su largo letargo/ /aparecer después de un largo letargo/ /aparecer inesperados/ /aparecer de improviso/ Last edited by Rusty; May 14, 2008 at 06:59 AM. |
#3
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my option
After Mr. Wilson died and it became known he was a billionaire, all kinds of prospective heirs came out of the woodwork. "Cuando después de la muerte de Mr Wilson se supo que era millonario, todo tipo de supuestos herederos salieron de la nada/salieron por todas partes." For a literall translation, Rusty's is more accurate (out of the wookwork: salir de un largo letargo), but in Spain is more used (for heirs) "aparecer de la nada/salir por todas partes" Saludos |
#4
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What impresses me is sosia's native's knowledge of what to say in that exact situation. It's amazing how a native speaker of any language has this catalog of appropriate phrases in their head for which they have a nearly instinctual understanding of appropriate/clever usage. It's like the rest of us are taking a satellite photograph of the language, while they're down on their knees, watching the ants crawl over its prepositions.
Last edited by gatitoverde; May 14, 2008 at 07:38 AM. |
#5
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Sometimes when you're focused seeing the ants you miss the sunset.
I'm no good at grammar, but I speak a lot and always have alternatives |
#6
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Beautiful metaphor! Have you ever considered going into poetry?
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Take care, María José |
#7
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No great work. It's only an adaptation of
"Si de noche lloras por no ver el sol, las lágrimas te impedirán ver las estrellas" I think it was someone called RABINDRANATH TAGORE. The fellow is better than me Last edited by sosia; May 14, 2008 at 07:03 AM. |
#8
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Both beautiful.
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#9
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You've given me some great options to work with. Thanks a bunch!
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it! |
#10
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Quote:
choice. In English, it sounds whimsical, but it makes sense |
Tags |
out of the woodwork, woodwork |
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