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Thread: I have a doubt...

 
  1. #1
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    Default I have a doubt...

    this phrase is in Spanish... How can i say "Camaron que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente" in english?? Thanks

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    Default Re: I have a doubt...

    Idiomatic expressions don't always make sense when translated but it says "a sleeping shrimp is carried by the current" or "the shrimp that sleeps drifts with the current"
    vicente

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    Default Re: I have a doubt...

    How about ?


    Don't rest on your laurels

    You snooze, you lose

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    Default Re: I have a doubt...

    So does it mean one shouldn't waste time?



    a rolling stone gathers no moss

    the early bird gets the worm
    vicente

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    Default Re: I have a doubt...

    I like "you snooze, you lose" because it captures the idea of if you take it easy, you'll get carried along with the tide. ("Carried along with the tide," or current, is about the only fish/ shrimp equivalent I can think of. We don't have a saying in English about a shrimp who sleeps.)

    "The early bird gets the worm," and "a rolling stone gathers no moss," state the same idea, but from the opposite viewpoint of being active, rather than passive.

    Another one that gets at the same idea is: "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there."

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    Default Re: I have a doubt...

    A couple of others with similar meaning:

    Time and tide wait for none
    Time waits for no man.

    To be honest I'm not exactly sure what the message is in that dicho. Is the shrimp wasting time? Missing opportunities? Drifting in life without direction?
    vicente

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    Default Re: I have a doubt...

    Quote Originally Posted by vicente View Post
    A couple of others with similar meaning:

    Time and tide wait for none
    Time waits for no man.

    To be honest I'm not exactly sure what the message is in that dicho. Is the shrimp wasting time? Missing opportunities? Drifting in life without direction?
    For example, let's say you have a company. You sell widgets. If you just rest on your laurels and don't improve your widgets someone (the competition) will come along and selll improved widgets and force you out of business because their widgets will be better than yours.

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    Default Re: I have a doubt...

    Right Californiaman:

    I get the general meaning of the various sayings but I was referring to the shrimp, specifically. What does the phrase Camaron que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente mean to native Spanish speakers? Is there one of our examples that they think would be more applicable than the others?

    From what I am told by friends your example of "You snooze, you lose" is the most appropriate.
    vicente

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    Default Re: I have a doubt...

    Keep on your toes or you´ll be left behind

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