This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Italian to English

salti mortali

English translation: what a disaster

13:58 Jul 27, 2003
Italian to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary
Italian term or phrase: salti mortali
A prior sends his friars into the world. When they return, he is shocked to discover that every one of them has sinned. He says, "Bonta' di Dio! Che precipizio! Che salti mortali! Tutti erano caduti, e come!"

[Somersaults doesn't work in this context. Is there some other meaning?]
Traci Andrighetti
English translation:what a disaster
Explanation:
in this context
Selected response from:

swisstell
Italy
Local time: 23:41
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1what a disaster
swisstell
5What strife!
Andréa Basili
4(since it's) all one can do
Michael Powers (PhD)
4what dangerous behaviour /what imprudence /what heedlessness
Nicholas Hogg


  

Answers


12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
what a disaster


Explanation:
in this context

swisstell
Italy
Local time: 23:41
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in pair: 1291

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Marian Greenfield
12 mins
neutral  Vittorio Felaco: Ma salti mortali si riferisce agli sforzi fatti non al disastro che può esserne risultato... È da un po' di tempo che vede certe cose che sono alquanto discutibili.
3 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
(since it's) all one can do


Explanation:
Oxford Paravia Italian Dictionary

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 mins (2003-07-27 14:12:39 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Although of course as you pointed out, \"salto mortale\" is \"sommersaul, hand-spring, flip,\" we also have \"fare salti mortali: to do all one can\"

Mike :)

Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
Local time: 17:41
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in pair: 379
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

27 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
what dangerous behaviour /what imprudence /what heedlessness


Explanation:
Whilst I am sure this is right, I think there are other (better) ways of saying it.

Nicholas Hogg
Georgia
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 265
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
What strife!


Explanation:
Fare salti mortali means to bend over backwards to do or accomplish something/ to kill oneself (not literally) trying to do something/ to bust one's ***x! It's a common idiomatic expression.

Andréa Basili
Italy
Local time: 23:41
PRO pts in pair: 24
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search