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ESL forum >
Ask for help > a proverb
a proverb
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jarek2011
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a proverb
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There is one thing that makes me scratch my head. I want to find a English equivalent of a common proverb that I use. I wonder whether English, however abudant in words and phrases it is, has a similar saying. The proverb conjures up an image of a flag flown at full-mast that has to be lowered. It says about our expectations - they should more in line with the reality. |
9 Jun 2012
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cunliffe
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If someone is aiming a bit too high and they are out of their depth, we say they are punching above their weight.
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9 Jun 2012
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jarek2011
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I am thinking and thinking, I have put my thinking cap on, my face is twisted with effort and I have cocluded that: lower one �s expectations is the best phrase.
As far as "look befor you leap" or "cut your coat according to your cloth" are concerned, they are quite close to the meaning that I have in mind but not identical.
Cunliffe, the phrase "punch above one �s weight" is fine and maybe it will work in the context provided. By the way, I didn �t know the phrase :) Thank you all for your replies! |
9 Jun 2012
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cunliffe
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�Lower your sights � is a bit better. There isn �t anything as colourful as the flag coming down. |
9 Jun 2012
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yanogator
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Jarek, you didn �t tell us what the proverb is (in its English translation, of course) Bruce |
9 Jun 2012
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jarek2011
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Bruce, literal translation is as follows: Come down (lower) the flag flying at the full mast.
And I think that Cunliffe nailed it: Lower one�s sights !
I love you guys for clearing it up for me!
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9 Jun 2012
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jarek2011
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Alternatively: set one �s goals lower. Now it seems so obvious but I really couldn �t come up with the right equivalent that would feel the same in English :) |
9 Jun 2012
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yanogator
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We also have an expression taken from pole vaulting, which comes close to yours: Lower the bar Bruce |
9 Jun 2012
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jarek2011
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thank you all for all your time and replies! |
9 Jun 2012
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