Each English idiom below comes with what it means and how other languages put the same idea. To see every language at once, open the side-by-side page for talking.
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To avoid saying the important thing directly.
Elsewhere
- FR Tourner autour du pot
- DE Um den heißen Brei herumreden
- ES Irse por las ramas
- IT Menare il can per l’aia
- JA お茶を濁す
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To tease someone by telling them something untrue as a joke.
Elsewhere
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To reveal a secret, often by accident.
Elsewhere
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To lie shamelessly while knowing full well it isn't true.
Elsewhere
- FR Mentir comme un arracheur de dents
- DE Lügen wie gedruckt
- ES Mentir más que hablar
- IT Mentire per la gola
- JA 真っ赤な嘘
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To say or do something tactless that embarrasses you or upsets someone.
Elsewhere
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To jump suddenly from one topic to a completely unrelated one.
Elsewhere
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To treat a small problem as if it were a big one.
Elsewhere
Phrases in bold with a red marker are written up. The rest are waiting for their own page and a check by a native speaker.