le buscan muchos pies al gato

English translation: to split hairs

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:le buscan muchos pies al gato
English translation:to split hairs
Entered by: Julio Torres

01:30 Jan 6, 2005
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Folklore / colloquialism
Spanish term or phrase: le buscan muchos pies al gato
Mexican saying, from an interview. I think it means jumping to conclusions based on dubious information.
robertshaw
Local time: 23:26
to split hairs / to complicate matters
Explanation:
Two options. To split hairs= hilar muy fino.
La segunda opción no es tan idiomática, pero siginfica "complicarse la existencia".

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Note added at 28 mins (2005-01-06 01:59:29 GMT)
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O split hairs (literal)= cortar (a lo largo) los pelos. ¡Cosa difícil!
Selected response from:

Julio Torres
Mexico
Local time: 21:26
Grading comment
Thank you, I believe the first option will fit just fine.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +2to complicate matters unnecessarily (they)
Ltemes
4 +3to split hairs / to complicate matters
Julio Torres
2to try to get water out of a dry well
Gabo Pena


Discussion entries: 5





  

Answers


28 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
to complicate matters unnecessarily (they)


Explanation:
Juan tiene razón. El dicho es "buscarles tres pies al gato".

Ltemes
United States
Local time: 20:26
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Maria Arcelus
2 hrs

agree  worldlink
22 hrs
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27 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
to split hairs / to complicate matters


Explanation:
Two options. To split hairs= hilar muy fino.
La segunda opción no es tan idiomática, pero siginfica "complicarse la existencia".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 28 mins (2005-01-06 01:59:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

O split hairs (literal)= cortar (a lo largo) los pelos. ¡Cosa difícil!


Julio Torres
Mexico
Local time: 21:26
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you, I believe the first option will fit just fine.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Juan Jacob: Me gusta "split hairs" (igual que en francés: Couper les cheveux en quatre).
6 mins
  -> Gracias Juan Jacob =)

agree  Ines Garcia Botana
2 hrs
  -> Gracias Ines =)

agree  lilfurquet
14 hrs
  -> Gracias lilfurquet =)
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49 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
to try to get water out of a dry well


Explanation:
''

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Note added at 2005-01-07 02:09:54 (GMT)
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the question appears to be: cuantos \'pies\' tienen el gato?

Gabo Pena
Local time: 20:26
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
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