Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Sep 15, 2010 14:18
13 yrs ago
4 viewers *
French term
décrocher
French to English
Art/Literary
Journalism
article reviewing Cirque Plume
Et comme tout poète qui se respecte, en appelle à la lune. Oh pas pour la décrocher, non. Juste la faire sourire ou jongler dessus...
I know that 'décrocher la lune' can mean 'hit the jackpot' but can't fit that into this context. If you need more context, see below for preceding sentence:
Cirque Plume rend souple des sculptures de marbre dont les étreintes semblent ne laisser derrière elle que poussière de craie sur le sol. Elle se joue des ombres et de la lumière, des clairs et des obscurs.
I know that 'décrocher la lune' can mean 'hit the jackpot' but can't fit that into this context. If you need more context, see below for preceding sentence:
Cirque Plume rend souple des sculptures de marbre dont les étreintes semblent ne laisser derrière elle que poussière de craie sur le sol. Elle se joue des ombres et de la lumière, des clairs et des obscurs.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +3 | steal it away |
kashew
|
| 4 +1 | to fly to |
Sarah Bessioud
|
| 4 | to grab |
Michel F. Morin
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| 4 | not to pluck it off, oh no! |
Gabriella Bertelmann
|
| 4 | Not to make off with it |
David Salas
|
| 3 | seek the impossible |
Katherine Parks (X)
|
Change log
Sep 22, 2010 17:50: kashew Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+3
37 mins
Selected
steal it away
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvenKSl2AG8
I'll probably get hauled over the coals for this, but I couldn't resist.
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Note added at 1 jour18 heures (2010-09-17 08:36:14 GMT)
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or "run off with"
I'll probably get hauled over the coals for this, but I couldn't resist.
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Note added at 1 jour18 heures (2010-09-17 08:36:14 GMT)
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or "run off with"
Note from asker:
| Yes, I like this suggestion - thanks! |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
SMcG (X)
: fits the context
28 mins
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Thanks a lot
|
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| agree |
David Salas
2 hrs
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Thanks a lot - for the vid too!
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| agree |
Catherine Gilsenan
1 day 7 hrs
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Thanks
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I already chose your answer a couple of days ago, but for some reason it has not been posted. Many thanks!"
23 mins
seek the impossible
IMHO chercher la lune means to do whatever it takes to attain a virtually impossible goal. For example, when in love one could say, "Pour toi je décrocherai la lune"...
+1
38 mins
Sarah Bessioud
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Works in field
Germany
A way with words
Native in: English (Variants: British, UK, US) 
Works in: German to English, French to English, English
to fly to
I could imagine that you may want to retain the idea of the moon in English, in which case translating "décrocher la lune" with "to fly to the moon" may be a solution. Although flying to the moon is physically possible, it still remains a dream for many people.
Note from asker:
| How about 'not to capture it'? |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
B D Finch
: Like Wallace and Grommit?
1 hr
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What a grand day out that was! Thank you ;-)
|
1 hr
to grab
I suggest "to grab", after idiomatic English "to grab the brass ring" (= "décrocher le pompon").
Et il me semble que "to grab" rend bien le contraste entre les phrases de contexte, et l'idée de "décrocher", "attraper", "acquérir"...
Et il me semble que "to grab" rend bien le contraste entre les phrases de contexte, et l'idée de "décrocher", "attraper", "acquérir"...
1 hr
Gabriella Bertelmann
Native in English
Specializes in field
Certified Translator/Reviewer 35Y f.t.
Native in: English 
, German
Works in: German to English, English to German, French to English, and 5 more.
not to pluck it off, oh no!
Et comme tout poète qui se respecte, en appelle à la lune. Oh pas pour la décrocher, non. Juste la faire sourire ou jongler dessus...
hope this is helpful with your ideas
hope this is helpful with your ideas
3 hrs
David Salas
United States
United States
Native in French
&
English
Works in field
United States
Native Fr and En, literary artist
Native in: English , French
Works in: French to English, English to French
Not to make off with it
I voted for kashew's, but in case you wanted another option
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Note added at 5 hrs (2010-09-15 19:37:38 GMT)
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Thank you, janisct. Glad you're all enjoying the video clip too!
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Note added at 5 hrs (2010-09-15 19:37:38 GMT)
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Thank you, janisct. Glad you're all enjoying the video clip too!
Example sentence:
Oh, not to make off with it. Rather, to make it smile
Note from asker:
| Yes, good suggestion! |
Discussion