Dec 21, 2009 16:48
14 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Spanish term
no se puede romper una baraja de golpe
Spanish to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Hi Folks,
Back to sayings. Any suggestions for a good English translation of the phrase above. It's in the context of breaking a bad habit, and next line says that every time you refrain from doing your bad habit, "es como si rompieras una carta". Thanks in advance.
Back to sayings. Any suggestions for a good English translation of the phrase above. It's in the context of breaking a bad habit, and next line says that every time you refrain from doing your bad habit, "es como si rompieras una carta". Thanks in advance.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
16 hrs
Selected
Little strokes fell great oaks.
just another idea
Note from asker:
| Thanks. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks again everyone for the suggestions. Because of the line that followed the saying, this seemed to work best."
11 mins
It won't happen over night
An alternative
+4
47 mins
Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
poetically precise prose with... panache
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
138
Rome wasn't built in a day
very idiomatic saying meaning that good things take time, and can't be rushed
Note from asker:
| Thank you. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Aradai Pardo Martínez
16 mins
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many thanks Aradai!
|
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| agree |
Maria Mastruzzo
3 hrs
|
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many thanks Maria!
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| agree |
Lisa McCarthy
21 hrs
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many thanks Lisa!
|
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| agree |
Evans (X)
: In spite of my (rather tongue-in-cheek) suggestion, I think this is by far the best idiom in the circumstances.
22 hrs
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many thanks Gilla :D
|
1 hr
(take) one step at a time
e. g. poco a poco.
Note from asker:
| Thanks. |
2 hrs
Vladimir Martinez
Spain
Spain
Native in Spanish
Works in field
Spain
Even Sport items
Native in: Spanish (Variant: Cuban) 
Works in: Spanish to English, Italian to English, English to Spanish, and 2 more.
there's nothing better than a day after another
no hay nada mejor que un dia tras otro
Note from asker:
| Thanks. |
3 hrs
you can't change the habits of a lifetime overnight
A Coach For Life - Press/Articles
The first is that they try and change the habits of a lifetime overnight, .... make your boss see you that way because you can't control everything can you? ...
www.acoachforlife.co.uk/InThePress.asp - Cached
Bodytuning: Potent People
You can always add more but you can't take it out. You may find drinking 2-3 cups a day .... There is no way to change the habits of a lifetime overnight, ...
www.bodytuning.com/potent.html - SimilarThis year I will... - Diet & fitness - New Zealand Woman's Weekly
There's no point in joining a gym if you can't stand the thought of lifting heavy ... Don't expect to be able to change the habits of a lifetime overnight. ...
www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz/health/diet-fitness/this...i.../40... - Cached
The first is that they try and change the habits of a lifetime overnight, .... make your boss see you that way because you can't control everything can you? ...
www.acoachforlife.co.uk/InThePress.asp - Cached
Bodytuning: Potent People
You can always add more but you can't take it out. You may find drinking 2-3 cups a day .... There is no way to change the habits of a lifetime overnight, ...
www.bodytuning.com/potent.html - SimilarThis year I will... - Diet & fitness - New Zealand Woman's Weekly
There's no point in joining a gym if you can't stand the thought of lifting heavy ... Don't expect to be able to change the habits of a lifetime overnight. ...
www.nzwomansweekly.co.nz/health/diet-fitness/this...i.../40... - Cached
Note from asker:
| Thanks. |
16 hrs
softly, softly, catchee monkey
another rather colourful saying that means the same thing
Note from asker:
| Thanks. |
+2
7 mins
Robert Forstag
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Translating words, preserving meaning
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
92
You have to just take one day at a time. // Progress, not perfection.
Not exact translations, but both of these common sayings of Alcoholics Anonymous seem to express the same underlying idea as the Spanish phrase you've posted.
Suerte.
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2009-12-22 18:01:33 GMT)
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As I see it, the problem with "Rome wasn't built in a day" is that the present context has to do with struggling with and eliminating destructive personal habits, and not with building or doing something that is more clearly tangible. This is why, in my view, such a saying would not quite fit in these particular circumstances.
Suerte.
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2009-12-22 18:01:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
As I see it, the problem with "Rome wasn't built in a day" is that the present context has to do with struggling with and eliminating destructive personal habits, and not with building or doing something that is more clearly tangible. This is why, in my view, such a saying would not quite fit in these particular circumstances.
Note from asker:
| Thanks. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Aradai Pardo Martínez
56 mins
|
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Thank you, Aradai.
|
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| agree |
Christine Walsh
1 hr
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Thank you, Chris.
|
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