idiom - English Spanish Translator Org: Translation Forum � Translators Forums

LAlexisS · 11-03-2007, 12:51 PM

How would you translate this idiom?

"To get your foot in the door"
(referring to starting off at a low level for an organization because you want a better job in the same organization in the future)

mem286 · 11-03-2007, 04:51 PM

These are the two first I had in mind, maybe someone can suggest another one:

"empezar desde abajo"
o
"pagar derecho de piso"

Hope it helps!

Veronica · 11-05-2007, 07:23 AM

I would go with "empezar desde abajo" which means to start in a low rank position, and then escalate because you are supposed to be good at what you do.

"Derecho de piso" rather means to be the newbie (could be in the office, the gym, school or any other group of people) and doing the things no one else wants to do, and you have to deal with it until you are no longer considered the newbie.

Lou_F · 11-06-2007, 02:14 PM

Dear colleages,

Sorry to disagree with you all.

The expression “foot in the door” comes from the days when door-to-door salesmen hawked their wares on the doorstep. Each salesman knew that, if he could just get through the door with his pitch, the client was that much more likely to make a purchase.
(Some salesmen still try it...).

Thus, I would translate it as: "meter la cabeza" (meaning that once we're inside, the rest would be easier to achieve).

On the other hand, the expression: "empezar desde abajo" is more like "starting from the ranks" (with reference to a job in a company).

Cheers!

mem286 · 11-07-2007, 05:24 AM

Thanks for your explanation Lou! The De Merriam-Webster dictionary says:
Quote:
- foot in the door : the initial step toward a goal

So, I think we can translate it as:
- una forma de meterte en una empresa
- un punto de partida
- empezar metiendo aunque sea un pie (para aspirar a algo m�s)

Thanks again! Regards

11-03-2007, 12:51 PM	#1
LAlexisS New Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	idiom How would you translate this idiom? "To get your foot in the door" (referring to starting off at a low level for an organization because you want a better job in the same organization in the future) Last edited by LAlexisS : 11-03-2007 at 04:56 PM.

11-03-2007, 04:51 PM	#2
mem286 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Fe, Argentina Posts: 757 Rep Power: 645	These are the two first I had in mind, maybe someone can suggest another one: "empezar desde abajo" o "pagar derecho de piso" Hope it helps! __________________ Mer _______________________________________________ All that is now All that is gone All that's to come and everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.

11-05-2007, 07:23 AM	#3
Veronica Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Argentina Posts: 542 Rep Power: 205	I would go with "empezar desde abajo" which means to start in a low rank position, and then escalate because you are supposed to be good at what you do. "Derecho de piso" rather means to be the newbie (could be in the office, the gym, school or any other group of people) and doing the things no one else wants to do, and you have to deal with it until you are no longer considered the newbie. __________________ mmm...chocolate.

11-07-2007, 05:24 AM	#5
mem286 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Santa Fe, Argentina Posts: 757 Rep Power: 645	Thanks for your explanation Lou! The De Merriam-Webster dictionary says: Quote: - foot in the door : the initial step toward a goal So, I think we can translate it as: - una forma de meterte en una empresa - un punto de partida - empezar metiendo aunque sea un pie (para aspirar a algo m�s) Thanks again! Regards __________________ Mer _______________________________________________ All that is now All that is gone All that's to come and everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-06-2007, 02:14 PM	#4
Lou_F New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 12	Dear colleages, Sorry to disagree with you all. The expression “foot in the door” comes from the days when door-to-door salesmen hawked their wares on the doorstep. Each salesman knew that, if he could just get through the door with his pitch, the client was that much more likely to make a purchase. (Some salesmen still try it...). Thus, I would translate it as: "meter la cabeza" (meaning that once we're inside, the rest would be easier to achieve). On the other hand, the expression: "empezar desde abajo" is more like "starting from the ranks" (with reference to a job in a company). Cheers!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)