Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Vocabulary > Idioms & Sayings
Register Help/FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search

Sports metaphors

 

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
  #1
Old January 23, 2012, 09:02 PM
Glen Glen is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 718
Native Language: English
Glen is on a distinguished road
Sports metaphors

Informal, everyday English seems to be peppered with terms from baseball, (American) football, golf etc. that are applied to non-athletic situations. Is it the same in Spanish, and if so, what are some commonly-used ones?
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2
Old January 24, 2012, 11:50 AM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,127
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
Some Mexican ones I can think of:

-Batear (from baseball):
·Le pregunté a Juana si quería ser mi novia y me bateó. -> Me dijo que no.
I asked Juana if she'd be my girlfriend and she rejected me.

-Gol/autogol (from soccer):
·Con la nueva campaña de ventas le metimos un golazo a nuestros competidores. -> Vendimos más que ellos.
With our new sales campaign we surpassed our competitors.
·Atacar a tu propia familia es un autogol. -> Es como atacarte a ti mismo.
Attacking your own family is an act against yourself.

-Penalty (from soccer):
·Sabotearle la exposición a tu compañero es un penalty; quedas despedido. -> Es una falta grave.
Sabotaging your partner's presentation was a serious fault, you're fired.

-Tarjeta roja/amarilla (from soccer):
·El jefe me sacó la targeta amarilla y me dijo que si vuelvo a llegar tarde, pierdo el trabajo. -> Me advirtió.
The boss warned me that if I arrive late again, I'll lose my job.
·¿Supiste que le sacaron la tarjeta roja a Juan y lo sacaron/echaron de la escuela? -> Las autoridades expulsaron a Juan de la escuela.
Did you know Juan was kicked out from school?

-Noquear (from boxing):
·Ese analgésico es tan fuerte, que me noquea. -> Me da mucho sueño / me pone a dormir.
That painkiller is so strong, it makes me very sleepy.

-Gancho al hígado (from boxing):
·La mala noticia me cayó como un gancho al hígado. -> Fue una impresión muy desagradable.
Those bad news were a hard blow for me.
·El que Pedro se quedara con mi trabajo fue todo un gancho al hígado.
I'm really upset that Pedro stole my job.

-Clavado (from swimming):
·Tuve que echarme un clavado a los archivos para encontrar los expedientes que necesitaba. -> Tuve que buscar entre muchos papeles hasta encontrar los que necesitaba.
I had to dig deep in the files to find the records I needed.

-Banca (from team sports):
·¿Por qué a Juan lo dejaron en la banca? -> ¿Por qué no está trabajando/estudiando/haciendo una actividad con todo el mundo?
Why isn't Juan participating with everyone?
·Sigo en la banca; todavía no consigo trabajo. -> Mientras esté desempleado, no puedo estar en las actividades que sé hacer.
I'm still waiting to find a job.


...there must be many more, but I can't remember.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #3
Old January 24, 2012, 05:38 PM
Glen Glen is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 718
Native Language: English
Glen is on a distinguished road
Thank you for all those examples, Angélica, especially for autogol, which sounds like a good way to render the term "self-inflicted wound."
I look forward to learning more of them, particularly from the realm of fútbol.
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 

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
Metaphors for 'stupid' Perikles Idioms & Sayings 27 June 10, 2011 01:46 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:12 PM.

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

X