Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Vocabulary > Idioms & Sayings


Donde pone el ojo, pone la bala

 

An 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.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old May 21, 2010, 09:27 AM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
Lightbulb Donde pone el ojo, pone la bala

It is an expression about someone who always keep focused on a goal and don't stop till have/get it.
In English?

Last edited by ROBINDESBOIS; May 21, 2010 at 09:33 AM.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old May 21, 2010, 10:56 AM
poli's Avatar
poli poli is offline
rule 1: gravity
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: In and around New York
Posts: 7,810
Native Language: English
poli will become famous soon enoughpoli will become famous soon enough
Keep your eye on the ball.
__________________
Me ayuda si corrige mis errores. Gracias.

Last edited by poli; May 21, 2010 at 11:01 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old May 21, 2010, 01:26 PM
Elaina's Avatar
Elaina Elaina is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,565
Native Language: English
Elaina will become famous soon enough
to always be goal oriented....

But somehow I feel like that saying also means something else....
like to guess at something and be correct...or to have a prediction come out right....

-to be right on the money....

I may be wrong..
__________________
Elaina
All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Walt Disney
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old May 21, 2010, 09:03 PM
JPablo's Avatar
JPablo JPablo is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,579
Native Language: Spanish (Castilian, peninsular)
JPablo is on a distinguished road
"Where he sets his sight, he puts the bullet." This comes from the great Western gunmen who were excellent shots. I.e., it has its literal meaning, which then extrapolates to "accomplish the objective you set up to accomplish". Somebody wants to buy a car... looks over different models, but he "has put his eye on one specific one"... and finally buys that one... One wants to go out with some specific girl... and ends up marrying her... One wants to get a specific job position, and he does whatever needed to achieve it, and he is successful in doing so. Normally, it has the connotation that it is “fast”, i.e., the intention to get there without delays and getting your objective accomplished “fast like a bullet”, “right on target” “right on the money”.

To "be right on the money" means generally to do something without flaw, absolutely correctly, and without even the slightest error. This idea goes with the precision of being able to place the bullet exactly where you put your "eye" (your sight).
“Keep your eye on the ball” gives me a slightly different idea, more of a connotation of “keep focused”, as an advice, and also being more careful. I would say,
“Rafa Nadal es el mejor tenista de la historia en tierra batida: donde pone el ojo, pone la bala... aunque ahora tiene que andarse con cuidado (keep his eye on the ball) en Roland Garros. The expression “donde pone el ojo, pone la bala” gives more this idea of absolute certainty and ability to achieve one’s goals and objectives. (Like Kobe and Pau Gasol... where they put their sight, they put the )
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old May 21, 2010, 09:53 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is online now
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
"To set one's sights on" might serve as a good translation. This means 'to have as a goal'. Does that work?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old May 23, 2010, 05:28 AM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
Sorry guys, nothing convinces me at all !

What about "he´s a real go-getter" or sth like that.
someone who is determined to succeed and who works hard to achieve this. You can describe someone like this as go-getting
She has a reputation as a real go-getter.

a go-getting young business executive

Last edited by AngelicaDeAlquezar; May 23, 2010 at 11:18 AM. Reason: Merged back-to-back posts
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old May 23, 2010, 06:07 AM
JPablo's Avatar
JPablo JPablo is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,579
Native Language: Spanish (Castilian, peninsular)
JPablo is on a distinguished road
Well, maybe we need a bit of context, to get a better idea. What is the context for your expression?
The literal translation is "where he puts the eye he puts the bullet." It can be used in conjunction with Ya le eché el ojo. I already set my eye on that.

It can be used as an expression that you always get what you had set your eye or mind on. I got this house I always wanted, it took some patience and saving but I got it because you know me "donde pongo el ojo pongo la bala".

A possible idea could be "wherever he sets his mind to a task/purpose/aim/objective, he always achieves the desired result" He is a "go-getter" "a driven person" could be another possibility.
You could also go with something like "he is the 'utmost' good shot in the West", "he's got perfect marksmanship" "he's deadeye". "He is always on target" (meeting his expectations).
Hey, Robindesbois! He is like you! Able to split an arrow that was already right on target, with another arrow! He is a real Robin Hood!

Yeah, I was writing this answer while you put your additional post. I think that will work!

Last edited by JPablo; May 23, 2010 at 06:08 AM. Reason: I saw the last post by RobinDesBois
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old May 25, 2010, 10:58 AM
ROBINDESBOIS's Avatar
ROBINDESBOIS ROBINDESBOIS is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,040
ROBINDESBOIS is on a distinguished road
COntext
Es un tío que donde pone el ojo la bala
consigue todo lo que quiere
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old May 26, 2010, 03:09 AM
JPablo's Avatar
JPablo JPablo is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,579
Native Language: Spanish (Castilian, peninsular)
JPablo is on a distinguished road
Yeah, I think your "go-getter" works just fine and dandy here.
He is such a 'go-getter' (such a driven guy), he always achieves what he wants.
Also, even if you lose a bit of the "color" of the original Spanish, you could try with something like,
He is a so entreprising and effective guy, that he always gets what he wants to get.
He is a guy always right on the money, he always hits the bullseye.
Or, he is always on target and gets what he wants...
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
De donde VS desde donde lingos Vocabulary 21 September 22, 2009 07:35 AM
QUITAR el mal de ojo ROBINDESBOIS Idioms & Sayings 23 August 20, 2009 03:47 AM
Oveja que bala, bocado pierde EmpanadaRica Idioms & Sayings 6 August 04, 2009 08:35 PM
Ve la paja en el ojo de un ajeno poli Idioms & Sayings 4 March 11, 2009 04:11 AM
Se echó el taco de ojo bmarquis124 Translations 12 February 04, 2009 06:20 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:18 PM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X