3 ms·
> “direct translation of _de perdidos al rio_, which is a saying meaning that once you have embarked onto a silly/dangerous/nonsense business you might just as
by pavlov 4y ago
> “direct translation of _de perdidos al rio_, which is a saying meaning that once you have embarked onto a silly/dangerous/nonsense business you might just as well go through with it”
Essentially the same saying with the river metaphor exists in Finnish (ojasta allikkoon) but its implied meaning is the opposite of what you’re describing. There’s no suggestion of “might as well”, it’s just: “you were in trouble already but now you’ve really blown it.”
I suppose that fits the national stereotypes of adventurous Spaniards vs. cautious and pessimistic Finns.
- jxf 4y agoIt sounds like the English analogy might be "out of the frying pan and into the fire".
- Sharlin 4y agoIt is indeed the direct English equivalent.
- wcrossbow 4y agoI was slightly unfair to my fellow nationals. It's not that you just go through with something silly just because, but rather that uneasy feeling one has when reaching the point of no return on some venture and you have to pick between backing out or pushing through with the original plan. When the latter wins you cheer up and scream ¡de perdidos al rio!
- wheybags 4y ago"Well, we came this far" maybe?
- NovemberWhiskey 4y agoEnglish has “might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb” I suppose?