"snapped" (in this context)

Spanish translation: perdian la cabeza (el control)

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

English term or phrase:	snapped
Spanish translation:	perdian la cabeza (el control)
Entered by:	Refugio

15:12 Aug 24, 2002

English to Spanish translations [PRO]
Psychology / psychology

English term or phrase: "snapped" (in this context)

[setting: the mother is ill and her young daughter cares after her]
text:
When the two would fight, her mother would sometimes angrily remind Jill that sometimes people *"snapped"*, did things that were so terrible that they could be forgiven"

There are 2 main "suspicions" :) about the meaning:

1)snapping as in breaking one's own nerves or
2) snapping as in leaving behind/ being more separated,etc

What do you think?
(note: the inverted commas are original)

kirchner KudoZ activity Questions: 177 (none open) Answers: 172 Spain
Local time: 08:08

perdian la cabeza (el control)

Explanation:
Snap in this usage means, metaphorically, to give way under strain as a wire might snap under too much tension. This intransitive meaning of breaking is different from (though related to) the transitive meaning of biting (and by extension, of barking out peevish, irritable retorts), conveyed by "to snap AT someone." Probably both are onomatopeyic in reference to the sound of quick snapping.

Selected response from:

Refugio
Local time: 23:08

Grading comment

Gracias a todos
Y también a Rossana por avisarme de lo de la pregunta dos veces publicada. Y a me di cuenta, pero era tarde para hacer nada.

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +4

perdian la cabeza (el control)

Refugio

5 +1

instant reaction, without thinking of the consequences

Nora Romano

5 +1

your question was posted twice...

Rossana Triaca

explotan/ reaccionan en forma exagerada

AVA (X)

revienta

Aberingi (X)

Answers

12 mins confidence:

explotan/ reaccionan en forma exagerada

Explanation:
snapped in this context means that they "explode", start over-reacting and being very aggressive and or offensive.
i.e. : is I snapp at you, I start screaming and insulting you, maybe being sarcasting and bringing up old things that you did either to other poeple or to me to make you feel guilty and hurt you feelings.

AVA (X)

26 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

instant reaction, without thinking of the consequences

Explanation:
it could be forgiven, but no garantee that it will, :)

Nora Romano

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

your question was posted twice...

Explanation:
It appears as an "easy" question named "\", and has already received some good answers.

Cheers,
Rossana

Rossana Triaca
Uruguay
Local time: 03:08
Native speaker of: Spanish

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

perdian la cabeza (el control)

Refugio
Local time: 23:08
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 40

Grading comment

Gracias a todos
Y también a Rossana por avisarme de lo de la pregunta dos veces publicada. Y a me di cuenta, pero era tarde para hacer nada.

9 hrs confidence:

revienta

Explanation:
"estoy a punto de reventar, no respondo de mis actos" entra muy bien en este contexto. Creo yo

Aberingi (X)

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