Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Sep 19, 2008 15:00
15 yrs ago
10 viewers *
English term
trip over oneself
Non-PRO
English
Marketing
Tourism & Travel
Hi! I'm just listening to ABC_Breakfast Club, I heard "A lot of Australians triping over themselves to do business with Chinese"
What does "trip over oneself" mean?
Thank you in advance.
What does "trip over oneself" mean?
Thank you in advance.
Responses
| 4 +8 | very eager |
Heather Shaw
|
| 4 +5 | (here) extremely eager |
Jack Doughty
|
Change log
Sep 19, 2008 15:06: NancyLynn changed "Level" from "PRO" to "Non-PRO"
Responses
+8
3 mins
Heather Shaw
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
Works in field
United States
The right direction in language services
Native in: English
Works in: Arabic to English, English
Selected
very eager
As if they are in such a hurry that they end up tripping over themselves in their haste
Note from asker:
| Thanks for prompt help. |
| For every successful joint venture or investment project there have been multiple failures, as foreign executives try to "cross the river by feeling for the stones". Mismatched expectations and cultural misunderstandings are often to blame... Quoted from a book review on "Think like Chinese" |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to Jack and Heather, and everyone for your suggestions."
+5
4 mins
Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
&
English
United Kingdom
Translator since 1953
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, German to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
72
(here) extremely eager
It is a metaphorical expression, not to be taken literally. It means they are rushing in so eagerly to do business with the Chinese that they are stumbling over their own feet.
Note from asker:
| Oh, I see. Thank you so much. They are talking about a book "Think like Chinese" which might interest you. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
orientalhorizon
1 min
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Thank you.
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| agree |
Jürgen Lakhal De Muynck
8 mins
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Thank you.
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| agree |
Demi Ebrite
2 hrs
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Thank you.
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| agree |
Lori Dendy-Molz
4 hrs
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Thank you.
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| agree |
Nicole Y. Adams, M.A.
5 hrs
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Thank you.
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