Greek idioms and their translations

In this post, we will explore 10 popular Greek idioms and their English equivalents, with examples of how to use them in context. We will also provide some background information on the origin and history of these idioms, where available.

Let's get started!

## 1. Μου έφαγες τα αυτιά (Mou éphages ta aftiá)

Literal translation: You ate my ears

English equivalent: You're being too loud or talking too much, or too pushy

This idiom is used to express annoyance or frustration with someone who is making too much noise, speaking incessantly, or being overly persistent. It implies that the person's words or actions are so unbearable that they are like chewing on your ears.

Example:

- Σταμάτα να μου τη λες, μου έφαγες τα αυτιά! (Stamata na mou ti les, mou ephages ta aftia!)

- Stop nagging me, you ate my ears!

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the ancient Greek practice of cutting off the ears of criminals or enemies as a form of punishment or humiliation.

## 2. Κάνει την πάπια (Kanei tin papia)

Literal translation: He/she does the duck

English equivalent: He/she plays dumb or keeps quiet or not mention something in order to avoid being blamed for it

This idiom is used to describe someone who pretends to be ignorant or innocent about something they have done wrong or know about. It implies that the person is acting like a duck that dives underwater to escape danger or hide something.

Example:

- Ξέρει ποιος έσπασε το παράθυρο αλλά κάνει την πάπια. (Xerei poios espase to parathyro alla kanei tin papia.)

- He knows who broke the window but he does the duck.

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the observation of ducks' behavior in nature, as they often submerge their heads or bodies in water to avoid predators or find food.

## 3. Βγήκα από τα ρούχα μου (Vgika apo ta roukha mou)

Literal translation: I came out of my clothes

English equivalent: I was enraged, livid, hopping mad

This idiom is used to express extreme anger or fury with someone or something. It implies that the person was so mad that they literally stripped off their clothes in a fit of rage.

Example:

- Όταν έμαθα ότι με απάτησε, βγήκα από τα ρούχα μου. (Otan ematha oti me apatisse, vgika apo ta roukha mou.)

- When I found out that he cheated on me, I came out of my clothes.

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the ancient Greek custom of tearing one's clothes as a sign of mourning or grief. Alternatively, it may have originated from the medieval practice of dueling, where combatants would remove their clothes before fighting.

## 4. Βρέχει καρεκλοπόδαρα (Vrehi kareklopodara)

Literal translation: It's raining chair-legs

English equivalent: It's raining cats and dogs (it's raining hard)

This idiom is used to describe a heavy rainfall or storm. It implies that the raindrops are so big and numerous that they look like chair-legs falling from the sky.

Example:

- Δεν μπορώ να βγω σήμερα, βρέχει καρεκλοπόδαρα. (Den boro na vgo simera, vrehi kareklopodara.)

- I can't go out today, it's raining chair-legs.

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the observation of hailstones, which can be large and damaging. Alternatively, it may have originated from the exaggeration of the size and intensity of the rain.

## 5. Είμαι ανοιχτό βιβλίο (Ime anikhto vivlio)

Literal translation: I am an open book

English equivalent: I am wearing my heart on my sleeve

This idiom is used to describe someone who is honest, transparent, and expressive about their feelings and thoughts. It implies that the person has nothing to hide and is easy to read.

Example:

- Δεν έχω μυστικά από εσένα, είμαι ανοιχτό βιβλίο. (Den eho mistika apo esena, ime anikhto vivlio.)

- I have no secrets from you, I am an open book.

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the metaphor of a book that is open and accessible to anyone who wants to read it.

## 6. Μου ανέβηκε το αίμα στο κεφάλι (Mou anevike to aima sto kefali)

Literal translation: The blood climbed up my head

English equivalent: It made my blood boil

This idiom is used to express anger or indignation with someone or something. It implies that the person was so furious that their blood pressure rose and reached their head.

Example:

- Μου ανέβηκε το αίμα στο κεφάλι όταν είδα πώς την μίλησε. (Mou anevike to aima sto kefali otan eida pos tin milise.)

- It made my blood boil when I saw how he talked to her.

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the physiological reaction of increased blood flow and heart rate that occurs when someone is angry or stressed.

## 7. Τα κάνω άνω κάτω (Ta kano ano kato)

Literal translation: I make them upside down

English equivalent: I create a mess

This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone causes disorder or confusion, either intentionally or unintentionally. It implies that the person turns everything upside down or reverses the normal order of things.

Example:

- Τα έκανε άνω κάτω στο σπίτι μου όταν ήρθε να μείνει. (Ta ekane ano kato sto spiti mou otan irthe na meinei.)

- He created a mess in my house when he came to stay.

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the image of flipping something over or turning it around.

## 8. Κάτσε στ' αυγά σου (Katse st' avga sou)

Literal translation: Sit on your eggs

English equivalent: Stay put, stay uninvolved

This idiom is used to tell someone to remain in their place or mind their own business. It implies that the person should not interfere or get involved in something that does not concern them.

Example:

- Κάτσε στ' αυγά σου και μη μου λες τι να κάνω. (Katse st' avga sou kai mi mou les ti na kano.)

- Sit on your eggs and don't tell me what to do.

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the behavior of birds that sit on their eggs to incubate them and protect them from predators.

## 9. Έγινε άλλος άνθρωπος (Egine allos anthropos)

Literal translation: He/she became another person

English equivalent: About someone who changed a lot (usually positive)

This idiom is used to describe someone who has undergone a significant transformation or improvement in their appearance, personality, or lifestyle. It implies that the person is so different from before that they look like another person.

Example:

- Έγινε άλλος άνθρωπος αφού πήγε στη γυμναστική. (Egine allos anthropos afou pige sti gimnastiki.)

- He became another person after he went to the gym.

Origin:

This idiom may have originated from the idea of rebirth or renewal that occurs when someone changes their habits or circumstances.

## 10. Continue https://t.me/GreekDictionary