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. English to Polish
  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

caught in the middle

Polish translation: być pomiedzy młotem a kowadłem

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:caught in the middle
Polish translation:być pomiedzy młotem a kowadłem
Entered by: Rafal Korycinski

16:20 May 22, 2011
English to Polish translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / lyrics
English term or phrase: caught in the middle
The free dictionary reads "to be in a difficult situation because two people who you know well are arguing and both of them criticize each other to you".

This meaning is quite obvious for me, but I am not sure if it reflects the real meaning as in 'The Show' by Lenka:
"I'm just a little bit caught in the middle
Life is a maze and love is a riddle
I don't know where to go I can't do it alone I've tried
And I don't know why [...]"

or in 'Caught in the middle' by A1

"Things are so different now you're gone
I thought it'd be easy i was wrong
And now i'm caught
And now, i'm caught in the middle
Even though i'm with someone new
All i can think about is you
And now i'm caught
And now, i'm caught in the middle"

In fact I cannot see the two arguing parties.

Could someone shed some light on how should this be understood.

Thanks in advance
Rafal Korycinski
Poland
Local time: 06:52
być pomiedzy młotem a kowadłem
Explanation:
nieśmiała propozycja
Selected response from:

Qnio
Grading comment
Dziękuję :-)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2być pomiedzy młotem a kowadłem
Qnio
4zagubiona
Polangmar


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
być pomiedzy młotem a kowadłem


Explanation:
nieśmiała propozycja

Qnio
Native speaker of: Native in PolishPolish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Dziękuję :-)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Polangmar: Wybór między dwiema alternatywami nie musi dotyczyć wyboru mniejszego zła - może to być też brak wiedzy, która z alternatyw jest lepsza.
4 hrs
agree  Dorota Madrzyk: to jest dokładnie to! nasz polski idiom.
6 hrs
agree  Karolina Cichocka
17 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
zagubiona


Explanation:
skonsternowana

"Zagubiona" będzie pasować do labiryntu.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2011-05-22 22:19:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"It is in this sense that you are "lost" i.e. you do not know what direction to go in."
http://www.proz.com/kudoz/English/4371493 :-)

Polangmar
Poland
Local time: 06:52
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in PolishPolish
PRO pts in category: 190

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Dorota Madrzyk: polski odpowiednik "między młotem a kowadłem" lepiej tutaj pasuje:)/Dla mnie ciągle "między młotem a kowadłem":) ona nie jest zagubiona, jest trochę zakłopotana i musi wybrać tzw. lepsze zło.
6 hrs
  -> Czytajmy: love is a riddle - jeśli dziewczyna nie wie, czy wybrać Piotra, czy Pawła, to powiemy, że jest między młotem a kowadłem? No chyba, że jest zmuszana do małżeństwa i tylko niechcianych partnerów jej dano do wyboru - co jednak nie ma tu miejsca.
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