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Glossary entry

Russian term or phrase:

лучше "недоборщить", чем "переборщить"

English translation:

better off taking it too slow, than coming on too strong

Added to glossary by Rachel Douglas
May 28, 2009 10:33
15 yrs ago
Russian term

лучше "недоборщить", чем "переборщить"

Russian to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature
Смотри, Сереги! В таких делах лучше недоборщить, чем переборщить... (один персонаж дает советы другому о том, как лучше себя вести со слабым полом)
Proposed translations (English)
4 +3 better off taking it too slow, than coming on too strong
4 +3 don't over-egg the pudding
4 +3 less is more
4 +3 don't lay it on too thick
4 +2 better safe than sorry/better go slow
4 dating (courting) softly is better than trying it too hard
4 keep your distance...before you go too far
3 underdone is better than overdone
4 -2 better brook than bombast
Change log

Jun 11, 2009 04:11: Rachel Douglas Created KOG entry

Discussion

Michael Korovkin May 29, 2009:
Spoonerism, Cummings – whatever macaronizes the terms with a funny effect – will do. Why not? "Pereborschit", leave alone "nedoborschit", are not exactly your square classical usages either.
Samantha Payn May 29, 2009:
Spoonerism, not ee cummings I think you're referring to a Spoonerism (over-pudding the egg); but I agree that would be a nonsense that makes sense. Unlikely in these circumstances, though, I think!
Michael Korovkin May 28, 2009:
how 'bout... overpud the egging? Cummings-cum-Carrol: a nonsense but, strangely, makes sense.
Michael Korovkin May 28, 2009:
Alexander is right I can just see to low-class suburbanites or country bumpkins say to each other: "Yo, Serega, mi man, when you're tryin' to get into them thar broads' panties, it's better brook than bombast". And the other one answers, "Yeah, I dig it, dude: we'd better not overegg the pudding". Ah, yeah, and while saying all that they lisp most prettily :):):)

Proposed translations

+3
4 hrs
Selected

better off taking it too slow, than coming on too strong

"to come on too strong" is very common colloquial AE for this context.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2009-05-28 14:43:44 GMT)
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By including "off", I meant: "You'll be better off taking..." etc.
Peer comment(s):
agree Mikhail Kropotov
1 hr
Thanks.
agree Tatiana Lammers
3 hrs
Thank you.
agree Alexandra Goldburt : Considering that we are talking about men treating women here, and considering that women usually don't like men who move too fast (there are some exceptions, of course), your answer is picture-perfect.
3 days 1 hr
Thank you.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
-2
6 mins

better brook than bombast


better brook than bombast

I think it fits the context
Peer comment(s):
disagree Oleksandr Kupriyanchuk : IMHO, it's a pretty far cry from this answer to what was actually said and ment to that guy after an exclamation like "Hey, look here, Seryoga!" As it seems, miles away...
1 hr
Not really, it's more like horses brooking in front of each other. It is about stopping on time.
disagree neilmac : No native speaker would talk like this :/
141 days
Something went wrong...
+3
39 mins

don't over-egg the pudding

If you want to keep a culinary theme, this phrase might do it. It means don't overdo it, don't put to much effort into it or it'll spoil.
My example is in the last paragraph of this section.
Example sentence:

...don't over-egg the pudding. If you give yourself more credit than you deserve, it'll bite back ...

Reference:

http://www.graphic-design-employment.com/graphic-design-resumes.html#stepback

Peer comment(s):
neutral Oleksandr Kupriyanchuk : "Переборщить" is not of culinary, this is a resonant verb, as borshch is a solid meal for muzhiks. Pudding IS NOT, culinary DOES NOT fit into the context. IS THIS A CONVERSATION OF TWO MEN about dating?! You must be joking! Men would never say so :)
55 mins
Thank you for your comments. The phrase I suggested is not especially feminine in nature, as you will see from the context url I gave. I gave my suggestion in the belief that a reference to food may be relevant in the wider context.
agree katerina turevich : I like it. And i think it's quite common use for men or women.
1 hr
Thank you, Katerina!
agree Mikhail Kropotov : Reference to food is non-essential here. Nonetheless, I like your version.
2 hrs
Thank you, Mikhail!
agree Tokyo_Moscow : Sounds good, also "food" reference fits pretty nice)))
17 hrs
Thank you!
Something went wrong...
1 hr

dating (courting) softly is better than trying it too hard


The idea:
SOFT vs “Try too HARD”,
keeping the original pattern “that is better than this” (with a bawdy drop of the muzhik style).

That’s a BULL SESSION, men’s talk, isn’t it ?!

So let’s put is straight from the shoulder, keeping the masculine style of talk, translating CLOSER to the ORIGINAL PATTERN - that is the main point.


Peer comment(s):
neutral Michael Korovkin : no, I meant what I wrote: literary (drawing-room-conversation-like) - not literally you perceived as a compliment
1 hr
Yes, literally to the sense expressed. The best compliment. Thank you.
Something went wrong...
+3
1 hr

less is more

Encountered very often precisely in this context. Example:
http://www.datingdirectaffinity.com/misc/advices_online_g.ph...


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2009-05-28 12:31:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

And yes, I can imagine this cliche phrase in a conversation of two guys.
Peer comment(s):
agree Samantha Payn
16 mins
Thank you!
agree katerina turevich : It's good, laconic like this. With an "always" before "more", as it relates to ladies"
26 mins
Thank you!
neutral Michael Korovkin : you mean, like, size doesn't count? Don't you ever believe that: it's a post-feminist myth. :)
54 mins
:)
agree Mikhail Kropotov : A good find, but not in this context, IMHO. "Less is more" is too aphoristic and "pithy." Yes, it may be said in a conversation between two guys, but the tone is different.
1 hr
Well, what is too aphoristic for "country bumpkins" may be OK for the Russian "приблатненные"... Thanks!
neutral Alexandra Goldburt : It would be great in a different context, but not when it comes to dating. Can me very easily misunderstood (see Michael Korovkin's comment - and yes, size does count).
3 days 3 hrs
Thanks but quite frankly this is the only context in which I've encountered the expression in real life...
Something went wrong...
+2
2 hrs

better safe than sorry/better go slow

not quite the same as ... pudding, brook and bombast, but of much wider usage, I think, for those seem to be rather endemic to England.
Peer comment(s):
agree Alexandra Taggart : better safe than sorry..>>???
8 hrs
yeah, thanks. Could doub as a condom use promotion, to boot!
agree koundelev
9 hrs
thanks, George
Something went wrong...
3 hrs

underdone is better than overdone

underdo is better than overdo it
не знаю, насколько адекватно это будет звучат в таком контексте, носители может подскажут?
Peer comment(s):
neutral Mikhail Kropotov : Никак, извините
31 mins
Something went wrong...
+3
3 hrs

don't lay it on too thick

Dont' lay it on too thick - just play cool, man! :)

Being too nice. <br> Most men already know that in myth women prefer bad boys. That's actually partially grounded in reality. Women want a guy that will treat them properly. However, a man without an edge is BORING! You can be nice to the woman you are interested in, but don't lay it on too thick. That instantly turns most women off.<br>
How to Get a Woman to Fall in Love by JoeyGladwell

Remember: don't overdo it! Fabulous flirters don't lay it on too thick. Instead, a small compliment or gesture every so often will tempt them into wanting more without seeming overwhelming.
How To Be A Fabulous Flirter by Peter Portero
Reference:

http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-get-a-woman-to-fall-in-love

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Be-A-Fabulous-Flirter&id=160509

Peer comment(s):
agree sukirat anand
1 hr
Thank you. :)
agree Michael Korovkin : bravissimo (a?)! simple, slightly slangy, carries the context, as the doctor ordered! should've thought about it myself!
1 hr
Спасибо большое. :) P.S. (a)! :))
agree Alexandra Taggart : It is that what I would say in here.>>Another one similar: "Don't marmalade it too much"http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=marmalade
6 hrs
Thank you, Alexandra. That's quite a compliment, coming from a native speaker. :)
Something went wrong...
8 hrs

keep your distance...before you go too far

***
Something went wrong...
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