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Por los pelos

 

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.


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  #11  
Old March 03, 2010, 11:39 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
By the short hairs es un modismo común en inglés--o sea un poquito vulgar. Cuando una persona tiene otra person by the short hairs, esa persona tiene mucho control sobre la otra.

Last edited by chileno; March 03, 2010 at 11:47 AM. Reason: erase wrong meaning. Read wrongly
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  #12  
Old March 03, 2010, 11:44 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by poli View Post
By the short hairs es un modismo común en inglés--o sea un poquito vulgar. Cuando una persona tiene otra person by the short hairs, esa persona tiene mucho control sobre la otra.
BrE: By the short and curlies.
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  #13  
Old March 03, 2010, 11:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
BrE: By the short and curlies.
It even gets graphic!
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  #14  
Old March 03, 2010, 01:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Perikles View Post
By the skin of my teeth is easily the most common BrE expression.
Then, I should learn this way. Thanks.
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  #15  
Old March 03, 2010, 03:43 PM
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I have also heard it was a near miss or sth like that and a close shave. Am I right ?
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  #16  
Old March 03, 2010, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS View Post
I have also heard it was a near miss or sth like that and a close shave. Am I right ?
Maybe close call?
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  #17  
Old March 03, 2010, 05:04 PM
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Mexican slang has also its own "pelos"-related expressions:

"Jalado de los pelos" is our version for "tirado de las mechas".
El capítulo de la telenovela estuvo muy jalado de los pelos. = The chapter of the soap opera was too absurd.

"Estar (algo) de pelos" is something that is really good.
Esa música está de pelos. = That music is great.

"Agarrarse de los pelos"/"Agarrarse del chongo" is to fight (Figuratively and literally in the way of a catfight, but not only between women)
Los jefes se agarraron del chongo en la oficina. = The bosses had a fight this morning in the office.

"Por un pelo" = barely.
Falló el tiro por un pelo. Casi me mata. = He barely missed the shot. He almost killed me.
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  #18  
Old March 03, 2010, 05:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar View Post
Mexican slang has also its own "pelos"-related expressions:

"Jalado de los pelos" is our version for "tirado de las mechas".
El capítulo de la telenovela estuvo muy jalado de los pelos. = The chapter of the soap opera was too absurd.

"Estar (algo) de pelos" is something that is really good.
Esa música está de pelos. = That music is great.

"Agarrarse de los pelos"/"Agarrarse del chongo" is to fight (Figuratively and literally in the way of a catfight, but not only between women)
Los jefes se agarraron del chongo en la oficina. = The bosses had a fight this morning in the office. (con mechas) Aqui sirve greñas para uds?

"Por un pelo" = barely.
Falló el tiro por un pelo. Casi me mata. = He barely missed the shot. He almost killed me.
También en contabilidad cuando uno "sale al pelo" es porque "cuadró"/balanceó bien las cuentas. O sea que salieron bien las cuentas y no hay de más ni de menos. Por ejemplo la caja al final del turno/día.
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  #19  
Old March 03, 2010, 05:42 PM
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@Hernán: Cierto. "Greñas" es el coloquial para "cabello" aquí.
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  #20  
Old March 04, 2010, 04:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irmamar View Post
I think that "por los pelos" means "by the skin of one's teeth", but I'd like to know how I would say:

He aprobado el examen por los pelos.
I've passed my exam by the skin of one's teeth or by the skin of my teeth.

Thanks.
Irma, creo que también podrías decir "I scraped through the exam"
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