Idioms: nature

 

nip in the bud	If you nip a problem or an unacceptable situation in the bud, you stop it at an early stage, before it develops or becomes worse. He wanted to be a clown, but his parents soon nipped that idea in the bud. Cortar de raíz Tuer/étouffer/écraser dans l’oeuf
beat around the bush	This expression is used to tell someone to say what they have to say, clearly and directly, even if it is unpleasant. Stop beating around the bush. Just tell me what has been decided!  Irse por las ramas Tourner autour du pot, manier la langue de bois
old chestnut	A story, joke or an idea that has been repeated so often that it has lost its novelty is referred to as an ‘old chestnut’. Broma pesada Vieille histoire, une rengain The story about his boat capsizing has become an old chestnut!
fresh as a daisy	Someone who is (as) fresh as a daisy is lively and attractive, in a clean and fresh way. I met Molly the other day.  She looked as fresh as a daisy. Fresco como una rosa (vaya, resulta que en español estamos frescos como una rosa pero en inglés las frescas son las margaritas) Frais comme une rose. (en francés también prefieren las rosas)
pushing up the daisies	To say that someone is pushing up the daisies means that they are dead. Old Johnny Barnes? He’s been pushing up the daisies for over 10 years!Criar malvas Manger les pissenlits
lead up the garden path	If someone leads you up the garden path, they deceive you by making you believe something which is not true. I still haven’t got the promotion I was promised.  I think my boss is leading me up the garden path!Engañar, embaucar Mener en bateau
hit the hay	When you hit the hay (or hit the sack), you go to bed. The boys were so exhausted that they hit the hay as soon as they reached the campsite.Irse a dormir, planchar la oreja, meterse en el sobre Aller dormir, se coucher, se pieuter
make hay while the sun shines	This expression is used as an encouragement to take advantage of a good situation which may not last. Successful athletes are advised to make hay while the sun shines.  Disfrutar mientras brilla el sol, aprovechar la occasion Fait le foin quand il fait beau
(not) let the grass grow under feet	If someone does not let the grass grow under their feet, they do not delay in getting something done. As soon as he received the permit, he started to build.  He never lets the grass grow under his feet!   No dormise en los laureles (Ne pas) Perdre de temps

shake like a leaf	If you shake like a leaf, you tremble with fear or nervousness. At the beginning of the interview the candidate was shaking like a leaf.Tremble comme une feuille Estar como un flan
turn over a new leaf	If a person turns over a new leaf, they decide to change their behaviour and lead a better life. When Ted left prison, he was determined to turn over a new leaf  Pasar página, empezar de cero Tourner la page, tourner une nouvelle page, prendre un nouveau départ
come up roses	If things come up roses, the end result is successful or positive, even if there were difficult times. After several disappointments, everything seems to be coming up roses for the tennis player this year.   Ir sobre ruedas, salir a pedir de boca Aller bien, tout marche comme sur des roulettes
grasp at straws	If you are in a desperate situation and you grasp at straws,you try any method, even if it has little chance of success, in an attempt to find a solution. In his search for a cure, he turned to a faith healer, knowing that he was grasping at straws. Aferrarse a una esperanza, agarrarse a un clavo ardiendo Se raccrocher aux branches
thorn in your side	If you say that someone is a thorn in your side, you mean that they continually irritate or annoy you. Jane finds her mother-in-law very irritating, a real thorn in her side! Ser un grano en el culo. Épine dans votre pied.
barking up the wrong tree	A person who is barking up the wrong tree is doing the wrong thing, because their beliefs or ideas are incorrect or mistaken. The police are barking up the wrong tree if they think Joey stole the car – he can’t drive!Llamar a la puerta equivocada Faire fausse route
can’t see the wood for the trees	If someone can’t see the wood for the trees, they are so concentrated on the details that they can’t see the situation as a whole. The new manager found the situation so complicated that he couldn’t see the wood for the trees.   Los árboles no dejan ver el bosque Ne cherche jamais près de soi
shrinking violet	A person referred to as a shrinking violet is a timid or shy person. The witness was a shrinking violet who had difficulty expressing herself.   Tímido, vergonzoso Craintif, timide