English translation: the eye of the master fattens the cattle
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Explanation: It is a proverb that has several variations. It's origins are most likely Italian.
The eye of the master fattens the horse.
- Proverb, (Italian)
The eye of the master fattens the steed.
- Proverb, (French, Spanish)
The eye of the master makes the horse fat, and that of the mistress the chambers neat.
- Proverb, (Dutch)
The eye of the master makes the horse fat.
- Proverb, (Danish)
I didn't know this proverb (in any language). When I first read it on the kudoz page, I thought it was a great proverb to convey something completely different.
I imagined a selfish and insensitive cattle owner, heavyset, who has plenty to eat and an easy life, but, out of avarice, gives his cattle the minimum amount of food. They, on the contrary, are hungry and thin. However, the cattle owner is blind and indifferent to their hunger and distress. So, in his mind (and therefore in his eye), his cattle is doing just fine and, thus, they are fattened by his imagination!
It is a proverb that has several variations. It's origins are most likely Italian.
The eye of the master fattens the horse.
- Proverb, (Italian)
The eye of the master fattens the steed.
- Proverb, (French, Spanish)
The eye of the master makes the horse fat, and that of the mistress the chambers neat.
- Proverb, (Dutch)
The eye of the master makes the horse fat.
- Proverb, (Danish) http://www.giga-usa.com/quotes/topics/proverbs_t304.htm
I think the meaning is more about keeping an eye out to make sure it's done right; the "dono" can have someone else do the grunt work, but he still supervises closely.
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Answers
59 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
If you want something done right, do it yourself.
Explanation: If you want something done right, do it yourself.
Explanation: To keep an eye, or to keep an eye on things means to maintain a watchful eye. You monitor what is happening with an appropriate zeal to the occasion. Another idiom would be, to keep an eye peeled. It means you are watching and protecting something, or someone.
staying on top of things
Verginia Ophof Belize Local time: 00:17 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 16
Explanation: the link gives an entry on "dominate" which is vewry close to the idea but not colloquial enough.
Hope this 2nd attampt is closer than my first one which was WAY OFF base.
false friends are the worst
Explanation: It is a proverb that has several variations. It's origins are most likely Italian.
The eye of the master fattens the horse.
- Proverb, (Italian)
The eye of the master fattens the steed.
- Proverb, (French, Spanish)
The eye of the master makes the horse fat, and that of the mistress the chambers neat.
- Proverb, (Dutch)
The eye of the master makes the horse fat.
- Proverb, (Danish)
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
