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Achilles heel = the only vulnerable spot in a

person or thing that is otherwise strong; a

serious or fatal weakness/ fault

R: clciul lui AchileAfter ones own heart = to like someone

because of similar interestsR: a fi pe inima cuiva/ pe placul cuiva

An eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth) =

retaliation/ retribution in kind, a punishment

that is as cruel as the crime

R: ochi pentru ochi, dinte pentru dinte

An eye opener = a surprise; a startling or

enlightening experience

R: a deschide ochii asupra a ceva nou/ a vedea

cu al i ochi o situa ie

Armed to the teeth = heavily armed

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R: narmat pn-n din i

Behind ones back= when one is not present

R: pe la spatele cuiva, n lipsa/necuno tin a

cuiva

Blue blood = having the qualities of being ofnoble birth

R: a avea snge albastru

Cant put ones finger on = cant locate

immediately, cant find the answer

R: a nu putea pune degetul pe

Cant see beyond the end of ones nose =

limited vision concerning decisions of the

future

R: a nu vedea mai departe de propriul nas, a

avea ochelari de cal

Crocodile tears = false tears, pretendedgriefR: lacrimi de crocodil

Face to face/ eyeball-to-eyeball = confronting

each other

R: fa n fa /ochi n ochi Foulmouth = a user of profanityR:gur-spurcatHand in hand = in closeassociationR: mn n mnHands are tied = restrained from

actingR: a avea minile legate

Heart-to-heart = intimate speaking freely andseriously about a private subject

R: de la inim la inim, de la suflet la sufletI could have bitten my tongue off= sorry

you said something

R: mai bine-mi mu cam limba

In one ear and out the other = does not heed

or pay attention

R: intr pe o ureche i iese pe cealaltIts in your hands = it is your responsibility

R: este in minile tale

On the tip of ones tongue = at the point oftelling or recalling

R: a-i sta pe vrful limbii

One foot in the grave = old anddecrepitR: cu un picior n groapOver ones dead body = against ones strongopposition

R: (numai) peste cadavrul cuivaRight-hand man = chief assistantR: (a fi) mna dreapt a cuivaTo (not) lift a finger = not to help in the

slightest degreeR: a nu ridica niciun deget pentru

To be all ears = to listen attentively

R: a fi numai urechi

To be loosetongued = to talk too muchR: a fi slobod la gur, a fi gur spartTo be up to ones ears = immersed in, caught

in

R: a fi implicat pn peste urechi/capTo break someones heart = cause great

sorrow, disappoint someone

R: a frnge inima cuiva

To breathe down someones neck= to follow

someone closely in pursuit, the action of a

superior who is looking for something wrong

or watching someone very closely

R: a-i sulfa cuiva n ceafTo bury ones head in the sand = to refuse to

accept facts

R: a- i bga/ascunde capul n nisipTo catch ones breath = to rest to regain

normal breathing

R: a- i recpta suflul/suflareaTo cry on someones shoulder = to go to

someone to talk to about a problem

R: a plnge pe umrul cuivato foam/ froth at the mouth = to be very

angry

R: a face spume la gurTo force ones hand = make one reveal his

plans

R: a for a mna cuiva

To get ones hands on =

obtainR: a pune mna pe

To get out of hand = becomeuncontrollableR: a scpa din mnTo get through ones head = to understand or

believe

R: a bga la capTo give ones right arm = make a big

sacrifice; give something of great valueR: a- i da mna dreapt pentruTo give someone a hand = help, assistanceR: a da o mn de ajutorTo go to ones head = causedizzinessR: a i se sui la cap

To have a big mouth = to talk too much

R: a avea gura mare, a avea o gur ct o urTo have a sharp tongue = harsh or sarcastic

in speech

R: a avea limba ascu it

To have an eagle eye = to have an excellenteyesight

R: a avea ochi de vultur

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To have ones back to the wall = in a trap

with no way to escape

R: a pune pe cineva cu spatele la zid

To have the heart = to have the courageR: a avea inim, a te lsa inima s.

To jump down someones throat = suddenlybecome very angryR: a sri la gtul cuiva, a sri n capul cuivaTo keep an eye on = watch

closelyR: a fi cu ochii pe.

To keep at arms length = keep at a distance

or away from someone

R a ine la distan To keep ones eyes peeled = to watch

carefully

R: a fi cu ochii ct cepele

to lead somebody by the nose = to persuadesomebody to do what one wants; control

somebody completely; mislead somebody

easily

R: a duce/purta de nas pe cineva

To leave a bad taste in ones mouth = the

distinctive quality of an experience especially

with reference to the emotion that it consists of

or arouses

R: a lsa un gust amar (n gur)To lose ones head = to become excited, lose

ones normal self-control

R: a- i pierde capul

To lose ones mind = to become insane

R: a- i pierde min ile, a o lua razna

To make eyes at = to flirt, to look longingly at

R: a face ochi dulci, a trimite ocheade

To pull a long face = become sullen, dejected,

express facially ones disapproval or

annoyance

R: a face o fa lung

To put ones shoulder to the wheel = tocooperate, to help

R: a pune umrul laTo put words into someones mouth =

assume a meaning not intended

R: a pune vorbe n gura cuiva

To put your finger on it = to be specific, to

explain

R: a pune degetul pe ranTo save your skin/hide = to protect

yourselfR: a- i proteja/salva propria pieleTo set foot in = to enter

R: a pune piciorul n

To shake hands = to clasp hands in

greetingsR: a da mna

to show ones teeth = to show or reveal ones

true character or real intentions

R: a-i arta colii = to show ones fangsR: a-i da arama pe fa = to reveal its/ onescopper

To slip through ones fingers = to get

awayR: a-i scpa printe degeteTo split hairs = to argue over minor matters

R: a despica firul n patru

To stand on ones own feet = to be

independent

R: a fi pe picioarele sale

To step on peoples toes = to offend or

antagonize others

R: a clca pe cineva pe btturiTo take the law into ones own hands = to

punish someone without court action

R: a lua legea n propriile mini

To take the words out of someones mouth

= to say something that someone else was

about to say

R: a lua cuiva vorbele din gurTo turn ones back on = to

ignoreR: a ntoarce spatele cuiva

To turn ones stomach = to cause one to

become nauseous

R: a ntoarce stomacul pe dos

To turn the other cheek = to permit therepetition of some indignity, blow or attack R:

a ntoarce i cellalt obrazTo wash ones hands = to disclaim any

responsibility for

R: a se spla pe mini de(o anumitproblem)

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Unable to believe ones ears = difficult tobelieve what one hears

R: nu i poate crede urechilor

Under ones nose = easily seen or noticedR: chiar sub nasul cuiva

With open arms = with warm welcomeR: cu bra ele deschise