It seems that nothing frustrates learners of a foreign language more than idioms. Idioms are those phrases that cannot be translated directly from one language to another. They often involve turns of phrase, animals, colors or emotions in strange combinations! Here are some amusing idioms from various languages that, when translated directly, would make any foreigner to the language scratch their head.
He has been blue. = He has been sad.
He was caught red-handed. = He was caught in the act.
Por si las moscas (in case of flies!) = Just in case.
Andar como perros y gatos (walk like dogs and cats) = to always be arguing.
Das Blaue von Himmel versprechen (to promise the blue from the sky) = to promise someone the moon.
Tomaten auf den Augen haben (to have tomatoes on your eyes) = to be oblivious to what’s going on.
