May 29, 2013 10:58
10 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Italian term
Italy
Writing in real English
Native in: English (Variants: UK, US)
Works in: Italian to English
Stava parlando di corda a casa dell'impiccato.
Non-PRO
Italian to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
La frase significa significa che una persona parlava di cose che suscitavano ricordi spiacevoli nella persona con cui parlava.
I'm translating an interview from Italian to English, so I would like to preserve the idiomatic style if possible. I need a phrase that would be suitable in the sentence above. The interviewee was talking about a past conversation about something unpleasant, and the interviewer made that comment.
Personally, I don't remember ever hearing a phrase like this one so I'm not real sure there is a widely known idiom.
I have considered using "He was rubbing it in, wasn't he?" but it doesn't mean exactly the same thing.
Any suggestions?
I'm translating an interview from Italian to English, so I would like to preserve the idiomatic style if possible. I need a phrase that would be suitable in the sentence above. The interviewee was talking about a past conversation about something unpleasant, and the interviewer made that comment.
Personally, I don't remember ever hearing a phrase like this one so I'm not real sure there is a widely known idiom.
I have considered using "He was rubbing it in, wasn't he?" but it doesn't mean exactly the same thing.
Any suggestions?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +2 | he put his foot in it |
Giles Watson
|
| 3 +1 | rubbing salt in the wound |
polyglot45
|
Proposed translations
+2
2 hrs
Selected
he put his foot in it
If the mishap was unintentional, "put his foot in it" might fit the bill.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks everybody! This is the best choice for this particular context. "
+1
23 mins
polyglot45
Native in English
Native in: English 
, French
Works in: English to French, French to English, German to French, and 4 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Italian term (edited):
Stava parlando di corda a casa dell\'impiccato.
rubbing salt in the wound
turning the knife in the wound.
as tactless as you can get - the epitome of tactlessness
hitting someone below the belt
making a cheap shot
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Note added at 24 mins (2013-05-29 11:23:05 GMT)
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http://www.answers.com/topic/never-mention-rope-in-the-house...
The same expression exists but is less commonly used
as tactless as you can get - the epitome of tactlessness
hitting someone below the belt
making a cheap shot
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 24 mins (2013-05-29 11:23:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
http://www.answers.com/topic/never-mention-rope-in-the-house...
The same expression exists but is less commonly used
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Sofia Dervisi
36 mins
|
| neutral |
bluenoric
: too strong, this expression refers more to an unfortunate phrase rather than one said with the intention of hurting
5 hrs
|
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