Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Portuguese term or phrase:
A ver navios
English translation:
continue to dream about the unachievable
Added to glossary by
Livea
Nov 4, 2007 15:39
16 yrs ago
3 viewers *
Portuguese term
A ver navios
Portuguese to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
When somebody can't get what was expecting for. I found "loking out for boats" on the web. Is that correct?
Thanks very much
Thanks very much
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
1 hr
Selected
continue to dream about the unachievable
I last saw this term in a Veja article (not recent) regarding the hopelessness of obtaining tickets to a certain concert, but I am sure the term is used mainly in Portugal.
In my opinion, left "on the sidelines" and "left high and dry" are the best of the other alternatives.
I'm dismayed that "looking out for boats" was considered as a potential translation.
I suspect that the source of this phrase is related to "waiting for my ship to come in...."
In my opinion, left "on the sidelines" and "left high and dry" are the best of the other alternatives.
I'm dismayed that "looking out for boats" was considered as a potential translation.
I suspect that the source of this phrase is related to "waiting for my ship to come in...."
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks Donna,
My perception told me it was not right, but I really found that in a glossary. As it was the only translation I found, I decided to post it here and found many better options as yours.
Livea"
26 mins
Marlene Curtis
United States
United States
Native in Portuguese
&
English
United States
Marlene Curtis
Native in: Portuguese 
, English
Works in: English to Portuguese, Portuguese to English
Related KudoZ points
:
70
let down/left with nothing
...
Note from asker:
| Obrigada. Escolhi let down para minha tradução. Livea |
+1
31 mins
Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
US Court Cert. 1980 Ph.D. 1981
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, Portuguese to English, English to Spanish, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
28
to look at mirages
look at something as if it really were something else
"look at mirages" when someone in the desert is convinced he sees water:
Observatorio da Imprensa - Materias - 18/12/2002
- [ Translate this page ]
Principalmente no campo do Judiciário, não se pode publicar algo desprovido de definição. ... E nós consumidores ficamos aqui a ver navios como verdadeiros ...
observatorio.ultimosegundo.ig.com.br/caixa/cp181220025.htm - 11k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
Mike :)
"look at mirages" when someone in the desert is convinced he sees water:
Observatorio da Imprensa - Materias - 18/12/2002
- [ Translate this page ]
Principalmente no campo do Judiciário, não se pode publicar algo desprovido de definição. ... E nós consumidores ficamos aqui a ver navios como verdadeiros ...
observatorio.ultimosegundo.ig.com.br/caixa/cp181220025.htm - 11k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this
Mike :)
Note from asker:
| Obrigada Mike. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Paula Mangia Garcia Terra
: Perfect!!
38 mins
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Thank you, Paula - Mike :)
|
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| neutral |
lexical
: I think you have missed the point of this idiom, perhaps because you have not lived in Portugal.
3 hrs
|
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You are right - I have never had the opportunity of living in Portugal, although I would like to. - Mike :)
|
+2
32 mins
to be left twiddling one's thumbs
It certainly isn't "looking out for boats" in English. Common sayings that carry the same sense as "ficar a ver navios" include:
- to be left high and dry
- to be left on the sidelines
- to be left twiddling one's thumbs
- to be left hanging out to dry
No doubt others will camoe up with other equivalents
- to be left high and dry
- to be left on the sidelines
- to be left twiddling one's thumbs
- to be left hanging out to dry
No doubt others will camoe up with other equivalents
Note from asker:
| Thanks for so many contributions! Livea |
+1
55 mins
to be left sucking one´s thumb
Note from asker:
| Obrigada!! |
3 hrs
To miss the boat
Ficar a ver navios - to miss the boat, to arrive too late for something.
Note from asker:
| This is a very good option, but not in the context of my text. I realized that in portuguese this expression is text-independent, but not when you translate the text into English. Funny! |
4 hrs
to be left hanging
A little tricky without more context, but I think this could be it.
Note from asker:
| This would also fit in my text very well. Thank you! Livea |
2 days 4 hrs
Marcelo Gonçalves
Brazil
Brazil
Native in Portuguese
Specializes in field
Brazil
Professional, Competent and Committed
Native in: Portuguese
Works in: Portuguese to English, English to Portuguese, Portuguese to French, and 7 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
12
leave someone in the lurch
leave someone in the lurch
to leave someone at a time when they need you to stay and help them. I hope they can find someone to replace me at work. I don't want to leave them in the lurch.
to leave someone at a time when they need you to stay and help them. I hope they can find someone to replace me at work. I don't want to leave them in the lurch.
Discussion