ProZ.com global directory of translation services
The translation workplace
KudoZ home » Spanish to English » General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

saber nadar y guardar la ropa

English translation: to cover one's back


GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:saber nadar y guardar la ropa
English translation:to cover one's back
Entered by: margaret caulfield
Options:
- Contribute to this entry

00:31 Oct 23, 2009Login or register (free) for more options.
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Spanish term or phrase: saber nadar y guardar la ropa
a Spanish colloquialism. This is the whole sentence: Cuando uno tiene un padre tan controlando, y tan duro, se aprende rapido a nadar y guardar la ropa.
enovesky
United States
Local time: 11:34
to cover one's back
Explanation:
.
Selected response from:

margaret caulfield
Spain
Local time: 17:34
Grading comment
This is the closest to what I used, and the author was happy with it. Thanks.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +6to keep ones head down/to keep oneself to oneself
Edward Tully
4 +3to cover one's backmargaret caulfield
3learn how to look out for oneself
Thayenga
3you learn to keep your nose clean
Deborah Lockett


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
to keep ones head down/to keep oneself to oneself


Explanation:
perhaps...

Edward Tully
Spain
Local time: 17:34
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 128

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Chriswa: I like 'keep one's head down'
2 hrs
  -> thank you! ;-)
agree  David Hollywood: :) you learn to keep your head down and yourself to yourself
3 hrs
  -> thank you David! ;-)
agree  aceavila - Noni: keep one's head down
7 hrs
  -> Thank you Noni! ;-)
agree  Gilla Evans: yes "keep one's head down" or "keep a low profile" would work well
8 hrs
  -> thank you Gilla! ;-)
agree  la acequiera: Yes, keep your head down
9 hrs
  -> thank you Jenny! ;-)
agree  LadyofArcadia: Agree with David
1 day1 hr
  -> thank you! ;-)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
to cover one's back


Explanation:
.

margaret caulfield
Spain
Local time: 17:34
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 24
Grading comment
This is the closest to what I used, and the author was happy with it. Thanks.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Emma Ratcliffe
43 mins
  -> Thanks, Emma!
agree  Eileen Banks
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Eileen!
agree  wmpetzall
1 day3 hrs
  -> Thanks, wmpetzall!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
you learn to keep your nose clean


Explanation:
another English idiom

If someone is trying to keep their Nose Clean, they are trying to stay out of trouble by not getting involved in any sort of wrong-doing.

http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/keep your nose ...

Deborah Lockett
Spain
Local time: 16:34
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 182
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
learn how to look out for oneself


Explanation:
alternative: keep one's guards up.

Thayenga
Germany
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




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

Copyright © 1999-2009 ProZ.com - All rights reserved. Privacy policy