Ask a Question

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


Don't spoil the ship for the sake of a ha'porth of tar

 

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 October 31, 2009, 01:40 PM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Don't spoil the ship for the sake of a ha'porth of tar

This one is quite complicated . I don't know that word "ha'porth" (it looks like shortened, but I can't find the original word)

No estropees el barco por el bien de ... de alquitrán

Thanks again
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old October 31, 2009, 01:46 PM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
ha'penny = half-penny.

When you waterproof a ship, you paint the whole of the underside with tar (alquitran). Obviously, if you do all of it but leave a tiny bit unpainted, the whole job is wasted because water will get in. The ship will sink because you tried to save tar worth a half-penny. The whole of your job is ruined because of one small error.

Similar to: If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing properly.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old October 31, 2009, 01:55 PM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
ha'penny = half-penny.

When you waterproof a ship, you paint the whole of the underside with tar (alquitran). Obviously, if you do all of it but leave a tiny bit unpainted, the whole job is wasted because water will get in. The ship will sink because you tried to save tar worth a half-penny. The whole of your job is ruined because of one small error.

Similar to: If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing properly.
OK, thanks and now I understand the meaning. But I don't understand that "ha'porth" yet. So, it is half porth, but porth doesn't exist. Is porth=penny?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old October 31, 2009, 01:59 PM
Perikles's Avatar
Perikles Perikles is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 4,814
Native Language: Inglés
Perikles is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
OK, thanks and now I understand the meaning. But I don't understand that "ha'porth" yet. So, it is half porth, but porth doesn't exist. Is porth=penny?
Sorry -

ha'porth = half-penny-worth, = worth one half of a penny.

tengo que comer y bebir . Volveré.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old November 01, 2009, 03:15 AM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
Sorry -

ha'porth = half-penny-worth, = worth one half of a penny.

tengo que comer y bebir . Volveré.
No comas ni bebas mucho

De half-penny-worth a ha'porth. No está mal. Lo que no sé es cómo lo iba a adivinar

Thanks, Perikles
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old November 01, 2009, 07:08 AM
chileno's Avatar
chileno chileno is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Posts: 7,863
Native Language: Castellano
chileno is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
No comas ni bebas mucho

De half-penny-worth a ha'porth. No está mal. Lo que no sé es cómo lo iba a adivinar

Thanks, Perikles
Irma, por lo mismo que es difícil para uno que está aprendiendo castellano, leer algo en andalúz por ejemplo. O simplemente le jerga de los hampones.

Asi que mi consejo es que no desesperes con esas pequeñas diferencias y sigas con el inglés un poco más propio y mas actualizado, por decirlo así.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old November 01, 2009, 10:51 AM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by chileno View Post
Irma, por lo mismo que es difícil para uno que está aprendiendo castellano, leer algo en andalúz por ejemplo. O simplemente le jerga de los hampones.

Asi que mi consejo es que no desesperes con esas pequeñas diferencias y sigas con el inglés un poco más propio y mas actualizado, por decirlo así.
No, si yo no me quiero desesperar, pero mi libro está en ello
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old November 01, 2009, 01:58 PM
chileno's Avatar
chileno chileno is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Posts: 7,863
Native Language: Castellano
chileno is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
No, si yo no me quiero desesperar, pero mi libro está en ello
Correcto. (Cambia el libro..).
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old November 02, 2009, 12:45 AM
irmamar's Avatar
irmamar irmamar is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,071
Native Language: Español
irmamar is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by chileno View Post
Correcto. (Cambia el libro..).
Vendo un profesor de inglés barato, con libro incluido
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old November 02, 2009, 01:32 AM
pjt33's Avatar
pjt33 pjt33 is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Valencia, España
Posts: 2,600
Native Language: Inglés (en-gb)
pjt33 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
Vendo un profesor de inglés barato, con libro incluido
¿Cuánto costaría el correo para enviarle?
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


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:41 AM.

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

X