This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Spanish to English
  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

Se caza antes a un mentiroso que a un cojo.

English translation: Lies have short legs

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:Se caza antes a un mentiroso que a un cojo.
English translation:Lies have short legs
Entered by: Mapi

23:30 Oct 7, 2004
Spanish to English translations [Non-PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Spanish term or phrase: Se caza antes a un mentiroso que a un cojo.
¿Alguién sabe cual sería el equivalente en inglés de este dicho?
Mapi
Local time: 04:01
Lies have short legs
Explanation:
Hi Mapi,

Nice question. I don't think there is an exact equivalent in English but here's this suggestion.

This is not properly an English proverb - most references quote it as being of German origin, although there are also claims to it being Italian, Spanish and Serb.

However, it seems to be widely quoted and I think that, of all the proverbs I have found, this is the one closest both in meaning and in form.

Hope it helps.

Saludos y sonrisas,

Álvaro :O) :O)

Selected response from:

moken
Local time: 04:01
Grading comment
Well, this has been difficult, as I think several answers apply, I especially liked 'A liar is sooner caught than a cripple' and 'Lies don't travel far' too, but could pick only one. Thanks everybody!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6the liar is sooner caught than the cripple
Mushinha
5 +4Truth will out
Lillian van den Broeck
4 +3Lies have short legs
moken
5A liar is not believed when he tells the truth
Lorenia Rincon
5liars should have good memories
Margarita Ezquerra (Smart Translators, S.L.)


  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
A liar is not believed when he tells the truth


Explanation:
Dictionary of Proverbs - Barron

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2004-10-07 23:41:10 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

A liar is sooner caught than a cripple

son las opciones que da, alguien tiene mas?

Lorenia Rincon
Mexico
Local time: 21:01
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
the liar is sooner caught than the cripple


Explanation:
Oxford
:)

Mushinha
Local time: 00:01
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  duchess: However, it's an expression I've heard many times in Spanish and never in English (my mother tongue) so I think if you were to use it in conversation you might get some odd looks!
11 mins
  -> Thanks :)
agree  Eng2Span
13 mins
  -> Thanks :)
agree  Felix Ortiz (X)
50 mins
  -> Thanks :)
agree  Ricardo Eid: To the duchess: An expression like this must be translated; and an odd look may mean the beggining of understanding.
2 hrs
  -> Thanks :)
agree  Ana Juliá
10 hrs
  -> Thanks :)
agree  sonja29 (X)
1 day 6 mins
  -> Thanks :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

27 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Truth will out


Explanation:
www.viajoven.com/proverbios/proverbios11.asp - 41k

Lillian van den Broeck
Mexico
Local time: 21:01
Works in field
Native speaker of: Spanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jo Mayr: "The" truth... y bien, Luna (¡muy padre la página!)
13 mins
  -> Muchas gracias. Sí, está muy completa.
agree  Ana Battaglia
54 mins
  -> Gracias Ana, hola!
agree  sonja29 (X)
23 hrs
  -> Gracias, Sonja.
agree  Nora Bellettieri: me parece que es la más idiomática
1 day 2 hrs
  -> Muchas gracias Norita, buenas noches!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Lies have short legs


Explanation:
Hi Mapi,

Nice question. I don't think there is an exact equivalent in English but here's this suggestion.

This is not properly an English proverb - most references quote it as being of German origin, although there are also claims to it being Italian, Spanish and Serb.

However, it seems to be widely quoted and I think that, of all the proverbs I have found, this is the one closest both in meaning and in form.

Hope it helps.

Saludos y sonrisas,

Álvaro :O) :O)



moken
Local time: 04:01
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 49
Grading comment
Well, this has been difficult, as I think several answers apply, I especially liked 'A liar is sooner caught than a cripple' and 'Lies don't travel far' too, but could pick only one. Thanks everybody!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Anna Moorby DipTrans: Alfie, hullo there!! I like your version. Another alternative is "lies don't travel far" muac muac
45 mins
  -> Hiiiya Anna! ¡Cuánto tiempo! That's a nice alternative, makes you wonder though...they managed to get all the way to Irak, back and round the world various times!! Besos y sonrisas :O) :O)
agree  Maria Teijido
1 hr
  -> ¡Muchas gracias María! :O) :O)
agree  sonja29 (X)
14 hrs
  -> Thanks again Sonja! :O) :O)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
liars should have good memories


Explanation:
Suerte

Margarita Ezquerra (Smart Translators, S.L.)
Spain
Local time: 05:01
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in category: 33
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

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
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search