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colocar o pé em cima da trave

English translation: --see below--

15:01 Mar 9, 2010
Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Other / Training Course
Portuguese term or phrase: colocar o pé em cima da trave
In order to overcome obstacles "vamos aprender a colocar o pé em cima da trave".

Does anyone know the equivalent English expression?

Thanks.
R. Alex Jenkins
Brazil
Local time: 13:49
English translation:--see below--
Explanation:
As far as I know it isn't an expression, although it does sound like it could be :-)

In order to overcome obstacles let's learn to do first things first.
Is something that comes to mind - after all, the 'trave' must refer to a part of the obstacle; and if you are trying to overcome an obstacle it does make sense to learn to put your foot on it first...

But maybe you should be more literal (depends on your context) and go for something like,
In order to overcome obstacles let's learn how to get on top on them
OR
In order to overcome obstacles let's learn how to step on them
(I think I prefer "get on top of them' :-)
HTH
Selected response from:

Paula Vaz-Carreiro
Grading comment
That'll do nicely. Cheers :)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1--see below--
Paula Vaz-Carreiro
4let's learn to stay one step ahead of things . .
David Drysdale (X)
3let's learn the starting point
Clauwolf
3getting on top of the situation
lexical


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


35 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
let's learn the starting point


Explanation:
:) An idea

Clauwolf
Local time: 13:49
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 140
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
--see below--


Explanation:
As far as I know it isn't an expression, although it does sound like it could be :-)

In order to overcome obstacles let's learn to do first things first.
Is something that comes to mind - after all, the 'trave' must refer to a part of the obstacle; and if you are trying to overcome an obstacle it does make sense to learn to put your foot on it first...

But maybe you should be more literal (depends on your context) and go for something like,
In order to overcome obstacles let's learn how to get on top on them
OR
In order to overcome obstacles let's learn how to step on them
(I think I prefer "get on top of them' :-)
HTH


Paula Vaz-Carreiro
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28
Grading comment
That'll do nicely. Cheers :)
Notes to answerer
Asker: Some very reasonable suggestions, Paula. Thanks a lot. I was thinking of perhaps 'putting the best foot forward', but I think that "getting on top of a situation" is perhaps more appropriate. Cheers :)


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mary Palmer
1 hr
  -> Thanks :-)
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
getting on top of the situation


Explanation:
Shameless stealing of other people's ideas.

lexical
Spain
Local time: 18:49
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16
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12 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
let's learn to stay one step ahead of things . .


Explanation:
Suggestion:

let's learn to stay one step ahead of things . . (Ja perguntei p/varios colegas em Sao Paulo . . nunca ouviram falar da expressao! Sucesso e boa sorte!

David Drysdale (X)
United States
Local time: 10:49
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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