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es ist wahrscheinlich kein "Honiglecken"

English translation: milk and honey--a figurative form for something easy


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Honiglecken
English translation:milk and honey--a figurative form for something easy
Entered by: Rebecca Garber
Options:
- Contribute to this entry
- Include in personal glossary

14:00 Aug 22, 2005
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Beekeeping
German term or phrase: es ist wahrscheinlich kein "Honiglecken"
Das Imkern in unserem Land stellt fuer jeden Imker eine besondere Herausforderung dar, es ist wahrscheinlich kein "Honiglecken"!.
Looking for a nice English equivalent that might in some way tie in with beekeeping, honey etc. All I can think of is the usual it's no bed of roses...
Lorna O'Donoghue
Local time: 13:16
It's not all milk and honey.
Explanation:
Just a thought that includes the honey in the metaphor.
Selected response from:

Rebecca Garber
Local time: 08:16
Grading comment
Many thanks to all. There were some great suggestions. Went with this one in the end.

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5IT'S PROBABLY NOT AS EASY AS DIPPING INTO THE HONEYPOT
Veronika McLaren
4not all sweet and easyMichele Fauble
3 +1It's not all sweetness and lightAndrew Swift
3It's not all milk and honey.
Rebecca Garber
3no sweet lifegfish
3not just hanging around the honeypotxxxlucasm
3it's not all honey-sweet
Armorel Young
3it's probably/ likely not a piece of cake
David Kiltz


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
es ist wahrscheinlich kein
it's probably/ likely not a piece of cake


Explanation:
Maybe in a variation: 'it's not a piece of honey pie' or the like. Or some pastry that contains (lots of) honey.

David Kiltz
Local time: 14:16
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
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10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
es ist wahrscheinlich kein
not just hanging around the honeypot


Explanation:
one idea

xxxlucasm
Local time: 14:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
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22 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
es ist wahrscheinlich kein
it's not all honey-sweet


Explanation:
Perhaps. Unfortunately, I don't think English has an obvious metaphor to fit the bill - I'd be wary of pulling in metaphors which conjure up inappropriate pictures, such as the bed of roses one, and "honeypot" metaphors are about attracting people in large numbers, rather than about ease/difficulty or financial success.

Of course, if dreadful puns appeal, you could go for "There's no beeline to success!"

Armorel Young
Local time: 13:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 68
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27 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
es ist wahrscheinlich kein
no sweet life


Explanation:
another option

gfish
Local time: 05:16
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 8
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
es ist wahrscheinlich kein
It's not all sweetness and light


Explanation:
"not all sweetness and light" 4000ggl
(Unfortunately, the moderator will not permit the direct link to the google page to be pasted below)

Andrew Swift
United Kingdom
Local time: 13:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 101

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Rachel Ward: Perfect!
38 mins
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
es ist wahrscheinlich kein
IT'S PROBABLY NOT AS EASY AS DIPPING INTO THE HONEYPOT


Explanation:
Winnie the Pooh imagery - novel by A.A. Milne is widely known in English speaking countries

Veronika McLaren
Local time: 08:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
es ist wahrscheinlich kein
It's not all milk and honey.


Explanation:
Just a thought that includes the honey in the metaphor.

Rebecca Garber
Local time: 08:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Many thanks to all. There were some great suggestions. Went with this one in the end.
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
es ist wahrscheinlich kein
not all sweet and easy


Explanation:
'... not all sweet and easy'

Michele Fauble
Local time: 06:16
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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