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Pasar por el aro

 

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  #1  
Old July 06, 2010, 09:17 AM
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Pasar por el aro

Significa tragar con algo, es decir, que si quieres algo, tienes que hacer algo, que cuando una persona se ve obligada a realizar actos con los que no está de acuerdo, pero que debe hacer por exigencia de otra persona, para conseguir un determinado fin.
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Old July 06, 2010, 09:31 AM
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In English it's to cross the Rubican, or to go to the point of no return.
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Old July 06, 2010, 11:53 AM
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I'm not personally familiar with the term "pasar por el aro", but given Robin's definition, I'd say it's something close to "to suck it up". In other words-- to endure something unpleasant or do something you don't want to do because it is forced on you. (That is, if I'm understanding right).
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Old July 06, 2010, 12:13 PM
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I know the phrase as "to submit to something unwillingly". Of course,
once you've "crossed the Rubicon", you may well have to "do whatever it takes", like it or not...
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Old July 06, 2010, 01:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomisimo View Post
I'm not personally familiar with the term "pasar por el aro", but given Robin's definition, I'd say it's something close to "to suck it up". In other words-- to endure something unpleasant or do something you don't want to do because it is forced on you. (That is, if I'm understanding right).
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I know the phrase as "to submit to something unwillingly". Of course,
once you've "crossed the Rubicon", you may well have to "do whatever it takes", like it or not...
Right.
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Old July 06, 2010, 03:05 PM
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Si entiendo bien, se puede traducir bastante literalmente: to jump through hoops.

E.g. It should be easy to get a social security number, but they make you jump through several hoops before you can even get an appointment.
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Old July 06, 2010, 03:38 PM
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"Jump through hoops" ties right in...
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Old July 06, 2010, 04:17 PM
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When you use the term "to jump through hoops", I definitely think of government bureaucracy.
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Old July 06, 2010, 08:25 PM
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I agree with the above posts. I include some more data, to further 'delimit' the meaning, as well as my subjective opinion.
Moliner gives this definition,
Pasar por el aro. Aceptar, a pesar de la repugnancia que se siente hacia ella, cierta cosa. Ceder, someterse.

I think Oxford Superlex gives the best translations,
pasar or entrar por el aro (en el circo) to jump through the hoop; (someterse) to toe the line (or the mark)

toe the line or mark,
a. to conform strictly to a rule, command, etc.
b. to shoulder responsibilities; do one's duty: He tried hard to toe the line on the new job.

Missing in the "toe the line" expression is the feeling of 'repugnance' or 'abhorrence'/'revulsion' that is clearly implied in the Spanish idiom, yet it seems to be close enough.

Other options that would be conceptually correct,
Yield to [the authority]
bow to [the whims/the bureaucracy/rules/etc.]
reluctantly submit to...
unwillingly comply with...
give in to...

I remember my Dad using the expression when I was a kid. Those days (70s) Franco, the dictator, was still alive and kicking, and so was still making people 'toe the line', 'la gente tiene que pasar por el aro y hacer lo que se les dice'... Although, similar expression from the days of Franquism, was "Estas son lentejas, si quieres las comes y si no las dejas". While the expression "These are lentils, if you want them you eat them, if you don't you let them alone" seems to grant 'free will' in choosing between the two options, in the practical side of things, it comes to mean, "you have to toe the line... or else... die of hunger" (or ostracism).

Anyhow, I hope this data and opinion is helpful for everybody, and these are 'my two euros', (or rather 'mis dos duros' or 'mis dos céntimos' on the matter.) Of course, if I said something off the mark and/or I unwittingly , then, please, don't hesitate correcting me... but, of course... [¡faltaría más!]
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Old January 17, 2011, 09:17 AM
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Lightbulb Pasar por el aro

Pasar por el aro significa hacer algo que no queremos hacer pero para conseguir algo, tenemos que hacerlo porque no nos queda más remedio.
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