Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
it is just taking
English answer:
It is not giving with one hand and taking with the other; it is just taking
Added to glossary by
Angela Dickson (X)
Mar 16, 2005 11:14
19 yrs ago
English term
it is just taking
English
Bus/Financial
International Org/Dev/Coop
EU
In spite of Commissioner xxxx fine words, it is just taking.
Is "it is just taking" an idiomatic expression? If yes, what does it mean? If not does it refer to my previous question (this sentence follows the sentence I quoted in my previous question) and means "yes Europe is taking with one hand....". In this case where is the MORE (not merely)
I'm a little bit confused
Many thanks in advance
Is "it is just taking" an idiomatic expression? If yes, what does it mean? If not does it refer to my previous question (this sentence follows the sentence I quoted in my previous question) and means "yes Europe is taking with one hand....". In this case where is the MORE (not merely)
I'm a little bit confused
Many thanks in advance
Responses
| 3 +3 | not really idiomatic |
Angela Dickson (X)
|
| 4 +2 | maybe it is a typo for "talking" |
CMJ_Trans (X)
|
| 4 | it is just taking |
Сергей Лузан
|
| 4 | Explained below |
Johan Venter
|
Responses
+3
5 mins
Angela Dickson (X)
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
not really idiomatic
I think you've got the right idea here - 'The problem isn't that Europe (with EPAs) is threatening to give with one hand and take with the other - rather, they are just taking, in spite of Commissioner xxx's fine words'.
A paraphrase... hope it helps.
A paraphrase... hope it helps.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Muchas gracias ;-))"
1 min
Сергей Лузан
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Works in field
Russian Federation
Always welcome! :)
Native in: Russian 
Works in: German to Russian, English to Russian, Spanish to Russian, and 7 more.
it is just taking
and no actions/ steps/ measures taken.
Probably. Good luck, Michel Lévy!
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:17:49 (GMT)
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TYPO for taLking, I mean.
Probably. Good luck, Michel Lévy!
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:17:49 (GMT)
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TYPO for taLking, I mean.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
RHELLER
: not a typo
3 hrs
|
|
Thank you, Rita Heller! Couldn't get the idea of connection with the previous sentence from asker's words.
|
+2
3 mins
maybe it is a typo for "talking"
it's just talking = it's all talk (as in "it is all talk and no do")
Malgré ses propos gradioses, ce ne sont que des paroles (en l'air)
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:19:15 (GMT)
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grandioses
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:20:26 (GMT)
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In the end, I think it is in fact \"taking\". The EU is not only threatening to take with one hand and give with the other. In fact, despite the fine words of the Commissioner, it plans to take (and not give back)
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:23:34 (GMT)
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the expression is \"to take with one hand and give back with the other\" but this time the EU will not be giving back. \'it is just taking\' is an extension on the earlier metaphore.
I wish you had posted the whole thing in one go......
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:23:55 (GMT)
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metaphor (sorry about the intrusive \'s\')
Malgré ses propos gradioses, ce ne sont que des paroles (en l'air)
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:19:15 (GMT)
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grandioses
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:20:26 (GMT)
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In the end, I think it is in fact \"taking\". The EU is not only threatening to take with one hand and give with the other. In fact, despite the fine words of the Commissioner, it plans to take (and not give back)
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:23:34 (GMT)
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the expression is \"to take with one hand and give back with the other\" but this time the EU will not be giving back. \'it is just taking\' is an extension on the earlier metaphore.
I wish you had posted the whole thing in one go......
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Note added at 2005-03-16 11:23:55 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
metaphor (sorry about the intrusive \'s\')
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Elizabeth Rudin
: Definitely not a typo. I agree with the last part of your answer - more "taking" than "giving", under the guise of a positive initiative.
8 mins
|
| agree |
DGK T-I
: "In fact, despite the fine words of the Commissioner, it plans to take (and not give back)"
2 hrs
|
3 mins
Explained below
What they are saying here (keeping the previous question in mind) is that the EU say all of these nice and lovely words, they don;t do this and in fact it is this or that good. In reality, however (or sofar as the writer is concerned) this does not happen and they in fact do what they say they don't, if you can follow my exlanation :)
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Note added at 5 mins (2005-03-16 11:20:02 GMT)
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To put it in more understandable sentences:
Europe is accused of certain things, which they deny in lovely words to point out the opposite. The reality is different and what they are accused of is true.
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Note added at 5 mins (2005-03-16 11:20:02 GMT)
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To put it in more understandable sentences:
Europe is accused of certain things, which they deny in lovely words to point out the opposite. The reality is different and what they are accused of is true.
Discussion