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queimar cartucho

English translation: waste good ammunition

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Portuguese term or phrase:queimar cartucho
English translation:waste good ammunition
Entered by: RCardoso

00:17 Sep 2, 2005
Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Portuguese term or phrase: queimar cartucho
"...mas não havia a necessidade de o governador se meter. É ‘queimar cartucho’ com leão morto."
RCardoso
Local time: 21:58
waste good ammunitioin
Explanation:
Just an idea.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 hrs 14 mins (2005-09-02 21:32:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Lots of nice references!

When companies recklessly **aim silver bullets at bogus targets, they woefully
waste good ammunition**. Breaking the paradox Management is squeezed by the jaws ...
www.hrconsultant.com/aw/aw_ter_long_term_success.html

Selected response from:

Muriel Vasconcellos
United States
Local time: 13:58
Grading comment
I chose this answer because I'm interested in the more general use of the expression, rather than this particular application in relation to a dead lion. Thanks, Muriel!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6to flog a dead horse
Doris Cook
4 +2to beat a dead horse
Todd Field
3 +1waste good ammunitioin
Muriel Vasconcellos


  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
to flog a dead horse


Explanation:
My suggestion

Doris Cook
Local time: 17:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Todd Field: agree... (I posted my answer without seeing yours first)
5 mins
  -> Tks! I do that all the time...
agree  Lumen (X)
17 mins
  -> Thanks, Lumen
agree  Elizabeth Lyons: Flog is a great word (however sorrowful the thought, though). :)
1 hr
  -> That's true, Elizabeth; and thanks.
agree  António Ribeiro
1 hr
  -> Thanks, António.
agree  Alexandra Gouveia
7 hrs
  -> Thank you, Alexandra.
agree  Deborah do Carmo
16 hrs
  -> Thanks, Deborah
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
to beat a dead horse


Explanation:
i.e. to waste time and energy trying to do something that is impossible or a lost cause.

Good luck!


Todd Field
United States
Local time: 14:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Doris Cook
4 mins
agree  Henrique Magalhaes
17 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
waste good ammunitioin


Explanation:
Just an idea.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 hrs 14 mins (2005-09-02 21:32:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Lots of nice references!

When companies recklessly **aim silver bullets at bogus targets, they woefully
waste good ammunition**. Breaking the paradox Management is squeezed by the jaws ...
www.hrconsultant.com/aw/aw_ter_long_term_success.html



Muriel Vasconcellos
United States
Local time: 13:58
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 100
Grading comment
I chose this answer because I'm interested in the more general use of the expression, rather than this particular application in relation to a dead lion. Thanks, Muriel!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  airmailrpl: wasting good ammunition on a dead lion
11 hrs
  -> Thank you!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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