slava petraadded a note 9 years ago

note (en-en)

In the Russian language there is a very interesting phrase which is translated literally as "I didn't pull your tongue". It means kind of: 1) I didn't force you to talk! You said that yourself 2) I did not open your mouth! You said it yourself! 3) I did not make you say that !

It's used in the situation when nobody asked a person and the person said or offered something by him/herself. It's as if somebody offered smth but nobody asked him/her to. Nobody "pulled that person's tongue", he/she said that him/herself. Maybe this example will help

PETER: Thank God it's Friday. Maybe let's have some fun and go to the bar to crack a bottle. It's on me today. JOHN: You got it! Nobody "pulled your tongue." Let's do it ...

Who can help find an English fixed expression about that? TIA

Discussion (8)

Rustam Karpykbayevadded a comment 9 years ago

put money where your mouth is

Igor Yurchenkoadded a comment 9 years ago

how about "you just can't keep your mouth shut, can't you?". or just "you said it"

slava petraadded a comment 9 years ago

Спасибо Рустам. Интересная фраза! Put your money where your mouth is = to do sth rather than to just talk about it = отвечать за свои слова/за свой "базар"; когда слово не расходится с делом; подкреплять слова делами

slava petraadded a comment 9 years ago

Игорь, второй вариант очень прост, но удивительно хорош! Как я сам о нем забыл ?! Спасибо

slava petraadded a comment 9 years ago

P.S. Игорь, и маленькая поправка к первому варианту - "you just can't keep your mouth shut, CAN you?"

Holy Molyadded a comment 9 years ago

Слава, насколько мне известно, схожей идиомы для "тянуть за язык" в контексте "я тебя не заставлял этого говорить" нет. Есть похожая идиома для этой фразы в контексте "приходится тянуть его(кого-либо) за язык (клещами из него тянуть), чтобы вытянуть информацию" - "like pulling teeth". Например: she was so upset last night but it was like pulling teeth to make her tell me why.

⁌ ULY ⁍added a comment 9 years ago

We say: Nobody held a gun to your head.

Holy Molyadded a comment 9 years ago

And who are those "we" exactly? :))

Discussion (8)

Share with friends