Were in spanish
pronunciation: fueɹ̩oʊn part of speech: verb
be1 = ser, estar, existir. [Verbo irregular: presente is/are, pasado was/were, participio been]
Example: Systems such as Dialog, IRS, ORBIT and BLAISE may be accessed by libraries and information units.more:
» ache to be = anhelar ser.
Example: How she ached to be a poet and by some wizardry of pen capture the mysteries going on out there.» all + be for + naught = no servir para nada.
Example: But the intrigue and suspense that the movie was constructing ended up all being for naught, as it ultimately failed to live up to its mystery.» all + be + hunky-dory = todo + marchar + bien, todo + ir + a las mil maravillas, todo + ir + a pedir de boca, todo + ir + bien.
Example: I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just swanned in and expected it all to be hunky-dory.» all + be + well with the world = todo ir bien.
Example: At 11:30 I was feeling that all was well with the world, and then at 11:35 I'm all tightened to a smarting tension by having been treated like scum.» all eyes + be + (up)on = todos los ojos + estar + puestos en, ser + el centro de atención, llevarse todo el protagonismo, acaparar toda la atención, acaparar todo el protagonismo.
Example: The article is entitled 'All eyes are on the rise of biometrics'.» all (other) things being equal = en igualdad de condiciones, si todo sigue igual, si no ocurre ningún imprevisto, si no intervienen otros factores, si todo va de acuerdo a lo planeado.
Example: Some of the modern evidence supporting the law of demand shows that, all other things being equal, when the price of a good rises, the amount of it demanded decreases.» as + be + the case for = como + ocurrir + en el caso de.
Example: Some library material may be not be borrowed at all, as is the case for undergraduates who wish to borrow reference material.» as far as + Nombre + be + concerned = según + Nombre, de acuerdo con + Nombre, en lo que concierne a, por lo que concierne a, en lo que respecta a, por lo que respecta a, en lo relativo a, desde el punto de vista de + Nombre, en lo que atañe a, en lo que se refiere a, en lo referido a, en lo referente a, en lo que toca a, por + Posesivo + parte.
Example: As far as users are concerned, standardisation of command languages for different hosts is a highly desirable.» as might be expected = como cabría esperar, como cabría suponer.
Example: As might be expected, the terminology is noticeably British as opposed to the American terminology in the previous examples.» be a bad judge of character = tener mal ojo para juzgar a la gente.
Example: At the time, I thought maybe Obama was just a bad judge of character, now I believe he is in step with the beliefs of those that surrounded him then and now.» be a bad sport = ser un mal deportista, ser un mal perdedor.
Example: But every now and then you'll run into someone who's truly a bad sport -- a kid who plays dirty, hogs the ball, or says mean things to you.» be a bag of bones = estar hecho un esqueleto, ser un saco de huesos, tener pocas chichas, estar hecho un costal de huesos, ser un costal de huesos, estar escuchimizado.
Example: Would you prefer to be a bag of bones to look at or a bit overweight?.» be a bargain = ser una ganga, ser un chollo.
Example: The outcome of the bidding was slightly disappointing for the vendor, but they say it was a bargain for the buyer.» be a bed of nails to endure = ser un calvario, ser un sufrimiento.
Example: To her that school for girls was a bed of nails to endure.» be a (big) fan of = ser un (gran) admirador de, ser un entusiasta de, ser partidario de, ser hincha de, sentir predilección por, gustar mucho.
Example: I've always been a fan of putting jam on my grilled cheese on toast (I think it's best with a chunky homemade apricot or blackberry jam).» be a bit green = estar verde, ser inmaduro, estar todavía en pañales, tener poco mundo.
Example: He is a bit green, but learns quickly and has a great personality.» be a bit (too) loud = ser demasiado escandaloso, ser demasiado ruidoso, hacer demasiado ruido.
Example: The cooling fan is a bit loud, but nothing major.» be a bit nippy = hacer un poco de frío, hacer un poco de fresco.
Example: We were outside for over an hour and we were glad when it was all over because it was a bit nippy.» be a bit of a job (to) = ser un tanto difícil, ser un poco difícil.
Example: The food mill makes taking out the seeds and skin into child's play, whereas it's a bit of a job to do it by hand.» be a bit of a lad = estar hecho un pinta, gustar las faldas, estar hecho un perla, estar hecho una prenda.
Example: Lee is normally a very quiet member of the crew, although we suspect that on the quiet he is a bit of a lad.» be a (bit of a) mouthful = ser mucho, ser demasiado, ser difícil de pronunciar, ser un trabalenguas.
Example: I know that this is a mouthful, but I hope that a few of you can provide some information that will help guide us.» be a blast = ser una pasada, ser genial.
Example: The tour was such a blast, and I loved every minute of it!.» be a blessing in disguise = no hay mal que por bien no venga, puede que al final sea para bien.
Example: The present crisis of careerism versus liberal arts is a blessing in disguise, forcing humanities faculty to adjust their teaching and thinking to basic questions of value and use.» be able to = poder.
Example: Thus the electronic journal (e-journal) is a concept where scientists are able to input ideas and text to a computer data base for their colleagues to view, and similarly to view the work of others.» be a blip in time = pasar en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, pasar en un p(l)is p(l)as, pasar en un santiamén, pasar en un periquete, pasar en un dos por tres, pasar en menos que canta un gallo, pasar en un tris.
Example: No matter how grand or how dismal a situation is -- it's only one small blip in time.» be a blot on = ser una mancha para, ser una tacha para.
Example: Their heart-rending plight stretching over centuries is a blot on Indian civilization.» be a boon to = ser un beneficio inesperado para, ser de gran ayuda para.
Example: Directories of publishers arranged to indicate the specialist fields in which the publish can be a boon to the imaginative librarian on the trail of some obscure source.» be about = tratar de, versar sobre.
Example: The first problem in practical subject indexing is to decide exactly what the document is about.» be about = haber.
Example: No one was about, so she ventured to peep in.» be about + Infinitivo = estar a punto de + Infinitivo.
Example: Too often the author has no clear objective in preparing an abstract other than that he has been instructed to do so by the agency that is about to publish his contribution.» be about + Número = ser aproximadamente + Número.
Example: The coverage of medical literature seemed to be about 95%.» be about time (that) = ser hora ya de que, ya ser hora de que, ser ya hora de que, ya ir siendo hora de que.
Example: It's about time that we go back to these principles and make sure that the quality of cataloging is upheld.» be about to = estar a punto de.
Example: The very meanings of words like 'library' and 'university' are about to undergo mutations too radical to conceive, much less predict = Los significados mismos de palabras como "biblioteca" y "universidad" están a punto de experimentar cambios demasiado radicales de concevir y cuanto mucho menos de predecir.» be above = estar por encima de, no dignarse a, no caer en la bajeza de.
Example: To describe my friend as contemptible would perhaps be a bit harsh, so let it suffice to say that he was not above pulling a nasty trick on a companion.» be above + Alguien = aventajar, superar, sobrepasar.
Example: Our team proved to be way above their opponents and romped to victory without breaking a sweat.» be above board = ser honrado, ser legal, ser de fiar.
Example: What I really liked about him is that he was above board and honest in everything he said and did.» be above everything = estar por encima de todo.
Example: It was above all her air of not being touched by anything, her manner of seeming as it were above everything, that tipped the scales in favour of her rival.» be above good and evil = estar por encima del bien y del mal.
Example: Any religion or ideology that is above good and evil produces enormous evil.» be above + Posesivo + head = resultar difícil de entender, ser difícil de entender, estar por encima de + Posesivo + capacidad; estar por encima de + Posesivo + posibilidades; ser demasiado para Alguien.
Example: There is so much happening in the world today that I want to talk about with my children, but they are still young and some of it is above their heads = Hay tantas cosas que están pasando en el mundo hoy día y que me gustaría comentar con mis hijos, pero son pequeños todavía y algunas cosas les resultan difícl de entender.» be a breeze = ser algo fácil, ser algo facilísimo, ser algo seguro, ser pan comido, estar tirado, estar chupado, ser coser y cantar.
Example: We both woke up bright and early to forage for food nearby, which was a breeze.» be absent (from) = faltar de, no estar presente en, estar ausente de, ausentarse.
Example: Consideration of information issues was absent from most courses studied.» be absolutely fed up with = estar hasta la coronilla de, estar hasta las narices de.
Example: She is absolutely fed up with these rumours people are spreading.» be a bundle of nerves = ser un manojo de nervios.
Example: He doesn't remember how he felt before that game, whether he was a bundle of nerves or the picture of calm.» be abusive = agraviar, ultrajar, insultar.
Example: The common view of unacceptable behaviour is when a customer is abusive either verbally or physically.» be abusive of = insultar a, ser grosero con.
Example: He's frequently abusive of his subordinates, been responsive to instructions from his director.» be a button short = ser duro de mollera, ser de efectos retardados, ser un poco torpe, ser un poco lelo, .
Example: He is a button short, if you don't mind my saying so.» be a case in point = ser un ejemplo.
Example: Consumer price indexes are a case in point.» be a case of the blind leading the blind = en el país de los ciegos el tuerto es el rey. [Situación en la que una persona que no sabe lleva a otra que tampoco]
Example: I'm trying to help a friend with this software, but I'm afraid it's a case of the blind leading the blind.» be acceptable = ser aceptable, ser de recibo.
Example: The manifesto says it's acceptable for girls to marry at nine years-old but that 15 and 16 was preferable -- when they are 'still young and active'.» be accustomed to + Gerundio = estar acostumbrado a + Infinitivo.
Example: The indexes should reveal the skills of an indexer who is at least accustomed to indexing.» be a choice of + Nombre = ser el + Nombre + preferido.
Example: Through its long history the rapier has changed its form, but it was a choice of weapon for gentlemen, rather than the military.» be a cinch = ser algo fácil, ser algo facilísimo, ser algo seguro, ser pan comido, estar tirado, estar chupado, ser coser y cantar.
Example: The article 'Singing with Children Is a Cinch!' explains how children learn to sing and discusses criteria for selecting songs suitable for young voices.» be a class act = tener calidad, ser de calidad, tener presencia, tener personalidad.
Example: Good news is that my dinner was a class act, and they even got the steak perfect, which is a feat for such a fussy eater like me.» be a (clear) sign of = ser una señal (clara) de, ser un indicio (claro) de.
Example: Missing your period is the first sign many women look for as a clear sign of pregnancy.» be a common occurrence = ser algo común.
Example: In the nineteenth-century compulsory overtime to 10 p.m. or midnight was a very common occurrence in news offices, with all-night working when there was a rush on.» be (a) common practice = ser una práctica común, ser algo común.
Example: It was a common practice to fill empty fuel oil tanks with sea water to ballast ships.» be a complete meltdown = ser un verdadero desastre, ser desastroso, ser un verdadero caos.
Example: I don't think this is a money problem -- I think this is a complete meltdown in your marriage because your husband is a liar and you've lost respect for him.» be a (complete) shambles = estar patas arriba, estar hecho un desastre, ser un (verdadero) desastre, estar en ruinas, ser desastroso, estar destrozado, estar desquiciado, ser un (verdadero) caos, estar manga por hombro, ser un (verdadero) despelote.
Example: While the economy is a 'shambles' and likely to stay that way for some time, he remains optimistic there will eventually be a recovery over a period of years.» be a constant = ser una constante.
Example: Librarians and libraries are always asked to do too much with too little, so the search for outside funding through grants, gifts and fundraisers is a constant in library life.» be a crime = ser un delito, ser un pecado, ser una infamia.
Example: It is a crime to waste food when people die of hunger.» be acute = ser acuciante.
Example: If the computer is correctly programmed it presents little difficulty in a computer-based system, where problems of excessive retrieval are likely to be most acute anyway.» be a dab hand at = ser un manitas con, ser un artista con, ser un mañoso con, ser un hacha con, tener mucha maña para.
Example: Sally is a dab hand at interior design, often called upon by friends for eccentric design advice.» be addictive = crear adicción.
Example: Prolonged television viewing is addictive and therefore dangerous to a child's wellbeing.» be a dead loss = ser una pérdida total, ser bueno para nada, ser un auténtico inútil, ser un desastre, ser una nulidad, ser un cero a la izquierda, ser una calamidad, ser un caso perdido, no servir para nada.
Example: There is now never the need for someone with a hair problem to feel that the problem cannot be solved; hair loss is no longer a dead loss!.» be a dead man/woman (walking) = ser hombre muerto, tener los días contados, no tener posibilidades, ser imposible, tener las horas contadas, quedar dos/tres telediarios, tener las uvas contadas.
Example: Probst thought he'd last longer, but I knew he was a dead man walking the minute he showed up.» be a dead ringer for = ser un calco de, ser un vivo retrato de, ser clavado a, ser una copia exacta de.
Example: The final photocopy was a dead ringer for the PDF files downloaded from the CBS website.» be adept at = estar ducho en, tener la habilidad de.
Example: Service to the whole community implies positive discrimination towards those who through social or educational deprivation are least adept at using information tools.» be a diamond in the rough = ser un diamante en bruto.
Example: She is a diamond in the rough and with some good training and lots of love she will be an amazing companion and loving pet.» be a different kettle of fish = ser harina de otro costal, ser otro cantar, ser un punto y aparte, ser otra historia.
Example: Rumors are one thing -- confirmation from a highly placed advisor to the government should be a different kettle of fish, altogether.» be a different story = ser harina de otro costal, ser otro cantar, ser un punto y aparte, ser otra historia.
Example: Chile survived its huge earthquake relatively well -- Iran would be a different story.» be a difficult business = ser un asunto difícil.
Example: Ward's study is likely to remain a standard reference source for years to come, but trying to sort out the generalities from the particularities is a very difficult business.» be a disaster in the making = ser un desastre en potencia.
Example: What you are witnessing is a disaster in the making -- not only for Lebanon but for the United States, which stands exposed once again as a prejudiced hypocrite.» be a disgrace = ser una vergüenza, ser vergonzoso, ser bochornoso.
Example: To most students and collectors, the profession's treatment of these resources is a disgrace.» be a distance apart = estar bastante alejado.
Example: Such an arrangement is well suited to the conditions of an administration dispersed around several buildings, some of which are a distance apart.» be + Adjetivo + enough to = ser lo suficientemente + Adjetivo + como para.
Example: Hundreds of unsuccessful children's books are written by practising mothers and only a few are lucky enough to have their work published.» be + Adjetivo + in content = ser de contenido + Adjetivo.
Example: Such recordings often originate in field work and are ethnomusicological, ethnolinguistic or folkloric in content.» be + Adjetivo + in origin = ser de origen + Adjetivo.
Example: Some of these primary sources of information are national in origin.» be + Adjetivo + in shape = tener forma + Adjetivo.
Example: The cartographic information source differs from other kinds of information in that it is usually rectangular in shape and defined by the coordinates of the four map corners.» be a doddle = ser algo fácil, ser algo facilísimo, ser algo seguro, ser pan comido, estar tirado, estar chupado, ser coser y cantar.
Example: Sitting on top of a launch rocket waiting for somebody to push a button and send you hurtling off into outer space is a doddle when compared with diving.» be a double-edged sword = ser un arma de dos filos, ser un arma de doble filo, tener sus pros y sus contras.
Example: The rise of the World Wide Web is a double-edged sword for these systems.» be a drag on = ser un lastre para.
Example: Students who slight preclass preparation are a drag on the class; they will not know what is going on and if they speak at all will frequently attempt to wrest the discussion away from the case to more comfortable topics.» be adroit at = ser hábil para.
Example: Computers are quite adroit at such simple yes/no response without much prodding.» be a fact of life = ser algo común, ser algo normal, ser una realidad, ser algo habitual.
Example: Federal aid to help cope with the problem of information was not new and had been a fact of life in one way or another for a long time.» be a far cry from ... to ... = existir mucha diferencia entre... y....
Example: It is a far cry from the abacus to the modern keyboard accounting machine.» be a feast for the eyes (and (the) ears) = ser un placer para la vista (y los oídos), ser todo un espectáculo (visual), ser un regalo para la vista (y los oídos), regalar la vista (y los oídos).
Example: This will undoubtedly be a feast for the eyes and ears on the big screen that you won't want to miss.» be a feast for the eyes and the stomach = ser un placer para la vista y el estómago, ser todo un espectáculo gastronómico, ser un regalo para la vista y el estómago.
Example: This open air food market is a feast for the eyes and the stomach.» be a finicky eater = ser muy delicado para comer, ser muy delicado con la comida, ser muy melindroso para comer, ser muy melindroso con la comida, ser muy tiquismiquis con la comida, ser muy tiquismiquis para comer.
Example: As frustrating as a finicky eater may be, this is a great time to teach your child to try new things, before he gets too set in his ways and begins to reject new foods.» be a firm believer in/that = creer firmemente en/que, estar completamente convencido de, estar totalmente convencido de.
Example: We are firm believers in the 'if it's not broken don't fix it' mentality.» be afraid = temer, tener miedo.
Example: I am afraid I shall disappoint again, for this book is not a polemical document, nor is it even a personal view of community information.» be afraid for + Posesivo + life = temer por + Posesivo + vida.
Example: He threatened to harm her if she ever left him, and she has been afraid for her life ever since she walked away from that relationship.» be afraid of + Posesivo + own shadow = tener miedo hasta de su (propia) sombra, asustarse hasta de/con su sombra, asustarse fácilmente, vivir con miedo.
Example: Fear of change, fear of moving, fear of leaving a bad marriage -- this woman's probably afraid of her own shadow = Miedo al cambio, miedo a mudarse, miedo a dejar un mal matrimonio; esta mujer tiene probablemente miedo hasta de su propia sombra.» be after = querer, perseguir.
Example: Silas H Berry told his colleagues at the New York Library Club: 'It is so hard to get a reader to tell what he is really after'.» be a full house = haber lleno al completo, estar lleno al completo, haber lleno total, estar lleno total.
Example: There will be a full house and we'll have to give them a guard of honour.» be a full-time job = ser un trabajo a tiempo completo, ser un trabajo a jornada completa, necesitar + Posesivo + atención completa, necesitar + Posesivo + atención exclusiva, necesitar + Posesivo + atención total.
Example: She was often a little too bold and way too trusting and it was a full-time job keeping her out of danger.» be a function of = estar en función de, depender de.
Example: The level of specificity that is desirable in any index is a function of the collection being indexed, its use and its patrons.» be a fussy eater = ser muy delicado para comer, ser muy delicado con la comida, ser muy melindroso para comer, ser muy melindroso con la comida, ser muy tiquismiquis con la comida, ser muy tiquismiquis para comer.
Example: Good news is that my dinner was a class act, and they even got the steak perfect, which is a feat for such a fussy eater like me.» be against = estar en contra de.
Example: Who can be against training one's staff to make them more effective? It's like being against motherhood and apple pie.» be against the law = ir en contra de la ley, ser ilegal.
Example: Examples would be: 'Is it against the law to ride a bicycle on the pavement?' 'What are the symptoms of a duodenal ulcer?'.» be against the ropes = estar contra las cuerdas.
Example: The novel is about how hard you fight back when you are against the ropes.» be a gem = ser una joya, ser un encanto, ser un primor, ser una hermosura.
Example: I love her more than my own children because she is a gem and one in a million to find.» be aggrieved = ofenderse, sentirse ofendido.
Example: This means that a reader accustomed to finding 'his' books on a particular shelf may well be aggrieved to find that they have been moved somewhere else.» be a giant with feet of clay = ser un gigante con los pies de barro.
Example: The message is clear: do not fear the United States' power; the United States is a giant with feet of clay.» be a given = ser un hecho dado, dar por sentado, dar por hecho, dar por descontando.
Example: Human rights should be a given in UK -- not a battleground.» be a good bet = ser algo casi seguro, ser casi seguro.
Example: It is a good bet that if asked why libraries produce so much material of this type the librarian would answer by saying that it all helps members to make fuller use of the stock.» be a good fuck = ser (muy) bueno en la cama.
Example: But all I said was he's a good fuck, I didn't say I loved him.» be a good idea = ser una buena idea.
Example: If your mouse is a bit jumpy it is a good idea first of all just to get it used to your hand before attempting to lift it out of its cage.» be a good job that = menos mal que.
Example: It's a good job that we didn't put any money on the outcome, because we were quite wrong = Menos mal que no apostamos dinero por el resultado, porque estabamos completamente equivocados.» be a good judge of character = tener buen ojo para juzgar a la gente.
Example: The nature of Duncan's murder and the events leading up to it suggest that he was neither a discerning man nor a good judge of character.» be a good lay = ser (muy) bueno en la cama.
Example: She was a good lay but like all lays after the third or fourth night I began to lose interest and didn't go back.» be a good listener = saber escuchar.
Example: She is known to be a good talker and listener so this role is right up her street.» be a good shag = ser (muy) bueno en la cama.
Example: She's certainly a looker, but it doesn't mean she's a good shag.» be a good shot = ser un buen tirador.
Example: They see people as marked by one particular attribute, cleverness, or kindness, or strictness, or being a good shot, and they mind whether things are right or wrong.» be a good shot that = ser muy probable que.
Example: If you've endured the agony of a divorce -- and more than 50 percent of Americans have -- there's a good shot you're paying alimony.» be a good sport = ser un tío apañado, ser un tío competente, ser una persona competente.
Example: Blood hypothesized that girls were dated because they exhibit such personality characteristics as consideration, cheerfulness, being a good sport, & a sense of humor = Blood formuló la hipótesis de que las chicas tenían citas debido a las características de su personalidad como consideración, alegría, ser una tía apañada y tener sentido del humor.» be a good talker = ser un buen hablador.
Example: She is known to be a good talker and listener so this role is right up her street.» be a good thing = ser algo bueno, ser una buena cosa, ser una cosa buena.
Example: For crying out loud, would everyone please stop panicking -- Don't you realize that this would be a good thing in the long run?.» be a good thing that = menos mal que.
Example: It's a good thing that I have the type of job where your criminal record has no bearing on your success = Menos mal que tengo un tipo de trabajo en donde los antecedentes penales no inciden en el éxito.» be a good time = ser una buena época.
Example: November or early December is a good time because people have presents in mind for Christmas.» be a good time to + Infinitivo = ser una buena ocasión para + Infinitivo.
Example: It is also a good time to stand back and take a look at 'what technology hath wrought' and some of the issues involved in our rush towards standardization on the national and international levels.» be a great start = ser un buen comienzo.
Example: Whether you do voice-overs all the time or just this once, take care of yourself -- a good night's sleep and a liter or two of water every day is a great start.» be a great time = pasáselo bien, pasárselo bomba.
Example: That was also the conference where we presented her with a leather jacket ... it was a great time.» be a great way to = ser una forma estupenda de.
Example: Weekend getaways are a great way to spice up your life without spending too much.» be agreed = estar de acuerdo.
Example: Everyone who has examined the topic, librarians and non-librarians alike, are agreed that the reference interview is essential to the success of the computer search.» be ahead = avecinarse.
Example: This article argues that it is imperative that librarians assess the future in order to be better able to plan for what is ahead.» be ahead of = estar por delante de.
Example: Now it seems that museums are ahead of libraries.» be ahead of schedule = llevar adelanto, ir con adelanto, ir adelantado, andar adelantado.
Example: The bank's recovery is ahead of schedule as it slashed annual losses by more than half in 2010.» be ahead of the competition = ir por delante de la competencia, llevar la delantera (a los demás), ir por delante (de los demás), ir a la cabeza, ir de líder.
Example: Those who act promptly, who do it now, are ahead of the competition and attract fewer critics, enemies, and naysayers.» be ahead of the curve = ir por delante de la competencia, llevar la delantera (a los demás), ir por delante (de los demás), ir a la cabeza, ir de líder.
Example: Companies that are ahead of the curve tend to make greater progress in digital transformation and have seen greater returns.» be ahead of the pack = ir por delante del pelotón, ir con ventaja sobre el pelotón, ir por delante de la competencia, llevar la delantera (a los demás), ir por delante (de los demás), ir a la cabeza, ir de líder.
Example: Radio Mirchi continues to top the daily listenership charts in Delhi, and is also ahead of the pack in Kolkata, the company said in a statement.» be a hearty eater = tener un buen saque, ser un buen comedor.
Example: Some children are hearty eaters, while others are very picky.» be a hit = tener éxito, dar resultado, ser un acierto.
Example: Overall, the event was a hit among attendees, who completed an evaluation before departing.» be a hive of activity = ser un hervidero de actividad, bullir de actividad.
Example: It's been a busy summer of sport for thousands of children as schools and clubs across the country make sure the holiday period is a hive of activity.» be a huge success = causar furor, causar sensación, ser todo un éxito, ser todo un exitazo.
Example: This was a second year of collecting and recycling Christmas trees and it was a huge success.» be air-conditioned = tener aire acondiconado.
Example: All rooms are air-conditioned in summer and heated in winter.» be a joke = ser malo, ser patético.
Example: The Nobel prizewinning chemistry professor argues that TV's science programming is a joke.» be a joy to + Verbo = disfrutar + Gerundio, ser un placer + Infinitivo.
Example: So it was a joy to take a stroll down memory lane and revisit some of their most poignant and funny moments as described in the book.» be a know-(it)-all = ir de sobrado, ser un sobrado.
Example: If you have ever had a friend or co-worker who is a know-it-all you understand what I am saying.» be a late arrival on the scene = aparecer tarde.
Example: Consumer advice has been a rather late arrival on the scene in Britain considering that everyone is a consumer of goods and services in some form or other.» be a late riser = ser un persona que se levanta tarde.
Example: He was a late riser, and as the clock on the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I blinked up at him in some surprise.» be alert to = conocer bien.
Example: There are many sincere librarians who are alert to the dangers inherent when libraries take positions on issues.» be alien to = ser extraño para, ser desconocido para.
Example: The indications are that socialist theory was absolutely alien to the majority of socialist workers, who had little interest in theoretical party literature.» be a little worse off = quedar un poco perjudicado, salir un poco perjudicado, quedar peor .
Example: The world is a little worse off than it was before as his talents, good cheer, metered insanity will be missed.» be a little worse prepared = quedar un poco perjudicado, salir un poco perjudicado, quedar peor .
Example: Scouts will now be a little worse prepared after they were banned from carrying their traditional penknives due to the new law.» be alive and well = estar sano y salvo.
Example: The article 'God is alive and well at the reference desk' describes an increase in the number of religious references enquiries in public libraries.» be alive to = ser consciente de.
Example: To anyone who is alive to the trends today it is evident that we are moving into the planned society in all spheres.» be alive to + Posesivo + worth = ser consciente de + Posesivo + valía.
Example: Of course, suspicion always arises that both are weak; for where the library is a vital force, the public is usually pretty much alive to its worth.» be all about = tratar exclusivamente de, versar exclusivamente sobre.
Example: Taurus, the second sign of the zodiac, is all about reward.» be all around us = rodear.
Example: June Jordan offers the poet's view that poetry is all around us.» be all at sea = estar perdido, sentirse perdido, estar confuso, sentirse confuso, estar en un mar de dudas.
Example: There is so much materal to prepare that she is all at sea as to how to do it.» be (all/both) in the same boat = estar en el mismo barco, ir en el mismo barco.
Example: President Barack Obama reminded world leaders on Thursday that 'we are all in the same boat' in the fight against violent extremism.» be (all) bunged up = tener la nariz congestionada, tener la nariz taponada.
Example: From a runny nose to being all bunged up, nasal changes affect a third of mums-to-be, but there's plenty you can do to help yourself if you have a stuffy nose in pregnancy.» be (all) done and dusted = haber acabado del todo, haber finalizado del todo, haber terminado del todo, haber acabado completamente, haber finalizado completamente, haber finalizado completamente .
Example: Another season done and dusted, but no rest for the wicked so all teams best be prepared for the new season starting next week.» be all ears (and eyes) = ser todo oídos.
Example: Some have been referred to as being all ears, while others have been noted as being all mouth = A algunos se les conoce por ser todo oídos, mientras que a otros por ser unos bocazas.» be alleged + Infinitivo = suponerse que + Subjuntivo.
Example: Librarians and bibliographers are as deeply fired with the idealistic fervour which is alleged to have imbued the medieval knights.» be all excited = estar todo ilusionado.
Example: She was all excited about the relationship and possibly the engagement but she sat on her hands and did nothing to make things better.» be all eyes = ser todo ojos.
Example: I was all eyes, all ears, quivering from head to foot with intense nervous expectation.» be all (fingers and) thumbs = ser torpe con las manos, ser muy patoso.
Example: The first time I did it I was all fingers and thumbs, but practice brings the reward of ease.» be all for = estar totalmente de acuerdo con, estar completamente de acuerdo con, estar totalmente convencido de, estar completamente convencido de, estar totalmente a favor de, estar completamente a favor de.
Example: I think she was subliminally, perhaps, touching on a point that has not been brought up, namely, quality control in cooperative cataloging, which we're all for.» be all for show = ser todo una apariencia, ser todo apariencia(s), ser todo una farsa, ser todo un montaje.
Example: Take a closer look to see a tiny flash of a cheeky grin and you will quickly realize that his huff and puff is all for show.» be all gone = desaparecer, acabarse, agotarse.
Example: The hall is quiet, the band has packed up, and the munchies are all gone.» be (all) good and well (but) = estar muy bien (pero), ser perfecto (pero), ser estupendo (pero). [También be (all) well and good (but)]
Example: Liberty, equality, and fraternity are all well and good, but what made France truly superior was the French passion for wine.» be all Greek to = no entender ni jota, no entender ni gota, no entender ni papa, sonar (todo) a chino, no entender ni torta.
Example: His one man show 'It's All Greek to Me' has enjoyed critical acclaim all around the world.» be all hands = ser un sobón.
Example: The second we were out of my parents eyesight he was all hands -- groping and kissing and calling me baby.» be (all) in a flutter = estar (todo) nervioso, ponerse (todo) nervioso, azorarse, acelerarse.
Example: The legal establishment is all in a flutter because it is slowly starting to realise that social media is creating a space within which it is powerless.» be all inclusive = abarcarlo todo, incluirlo todo, ser completo.
Example: Since no site is all inclusive, their relative value will vary depending on the individual's particular needs.» be all in the same boat = estar todos en el mismo barco.
Example: We are all in the same boat in a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.» be (all) in the same boat = encontrarse (todos) en la misma situación, estar (todos) en la misma situación, navegar (todos) en el mismo barco. [Usado generalmente en sentido figurado]
Example: We're all in the same boat, and if part of it sinks, probably the rest of it does, too.» be all life = ser todo vida.
Example: While they were talking a voice from the crow's nest called, 'Land ahoy!' and in a moment the ship was all life.» be all mouth = ser un fanfarrón, ser un bocazas, ser un fantasma, ser un cantamañanas.
Example: Some have been referred to as being all ears, while others have been noted as being all mouth = A algunos se les conoce por ser todo oídos, mientras que a otros por ser unos bocazas.» be all + Nombre + can + do to = ser lo único que + poder + hacer para, ser todo lo que + poder + hacer para.
Example: Even an atheist homosexual station owner would broadcast Christian religious programming if it was all he could do to keep his enterprise afloat.» be all(/nothing but) skin and bones = estar en los huesos, estar escuchimizado, estar hecho un esqueleto.
Example: The boy was all skin and bones and needed the food and drink far more than Will did and anyway he could always ask the landlord for some = El niño estaba en los huesos y necesitaba comida y bebida mucho más que Will y, de todas formas, él siempre podría pedirle algo al casero.» be (all) out in (full) force = acudir en masa, aglomerar las calles, abarrotar las calles, concentrarse, aglomerarse, llenar las calles, salir en masa, salir en bandada, salir con toda su fuerza.
Example: Myanmar's police and military were out in force again on Friday, patrolling the deserted streets.» be (all) out of = haberse quedado sin, quedarse sin.
Example: I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I am all out of bubblegum.» be all over = acabarse, terminarse, finalizar.
Example: We were outside for over an hour and we were glad when it was all over because it was a bit nippy.» be all over + Alguien = estar siempre encima de, no poder quitarse de encima, no poder dejar quieto, no poder dejar tranquilo.
Example: She said he was all over her that night, like if he had many more than just two arms and legs.» be all over bar the shouting = estar ya todo claro, estar ya todo decidido, estar ya todo concluido.
Example: It was all over bar the shouting, but they wrangled on until late afternoon.» be all + Pronombre Posesivo = ser todo + Pronombre Posesivo.
Example: Once she was out of his way, the throne was all his.» be all right = ser correcto.
Example: The lead term 'metallurgy' is all right but you have then gone on to qualify this by the subordinate term in the chain 'assaying' and indexed this for the class number 669.» be all right with + Persona = no importar, parecer bien.
Example: As head of a committee, and being recognized as such, it's perfectly all right with me if I'm called the chairman rather than the chairwoman.» be (all) set = estar servido, no necesitar nada más.
Example: I think we like to complicate things when it is really quite simple; find what makes you happy and who it is that makes you happy and you're set.» be all set to = estar listo para, estar decidido a, estar resuelto a.
Example: With that in mind, both girls were all set to go to Mindoro but the circumstances made it extra difficult for them to reach their destination.» be all smiles = ser todo sonrisas.
Example: Mexico are all smiles after a thumping win over Jamaica in rugby.» be all talk = ser un fanfarrón, ser un bocazas, ser un fantasma, ser un cantamañanas.
Example: This girl is all talk, she doesn't have what it takes to stand behind her words.» be all talk (,and/but) no action = mucho ruido y pocas nueces, hablar mucho y no hacer nada, ser un cantamañanas, írsele la fuerza por la boca.
Example: She strikes me as someone who is all talk, no action.» be all the more = ser mucho más, ser aun más.
Example: Stories that lead to doing things are all the more attractive to children, who are active rather than passive creatures.» be all the rage in = ser lo último en, ser la última palabra en, ser el último grito en, ser el no va más en.
Example: Catchphrases like this are all the rage these days, especially among those who allow current trends to dictate their lifestyles.» be all the same to + Pronombre = dar igual, dar lo mismo, no importar, dar lo mismo ocho que ochenta, dar igual ocho que ochenta.
Example: It was all the same to me whether I acquired it by honourable or dishonourable means as long as I lined my pockets.» be all things to all men = serlo todo para todos.
Example: Leaving aside the heretical thought that perhaps 'all things to all men' is exactly what the public library should be, this alone is not enough.» be all things to all people = serlo todo para todos.
Example: Traditionally, public libraries in the United States have attempted to be all things to all people.» be all too common = ser demasiado común.
Example: Such conversion requires such extremely detailed project planning and execution that new system start-up problems are all too common.» be all too familiar with = estar bastante acostumbrado a, estar muy acostumbrado a, estar harto de.
Example: Librarians are all too familiar with the user who returns a book with the comment that it was not quite what was wanted = Los bibliotecarios están bastante acostumbrados al usuario que devuelve un libro con el comentario de que no es lo que buscaba.» be (all) up in arms = protestar, quejarse, poner el grito en el cielo, ponerse (hecho/como) un energúmeno, ponerse (como/hecho) un diablo, llevar a Uno el diablo, llevar a Uno (todos) los diablos, ponerse (hecho/como) un demonio, llevar a Uno el demonio, llevar a Uno (todos) los demonios.
Example: And everyone who reads, writes, sings, does research, or teaches should be up in arms but the real question is why so few people are complaining.» be (all) water under the bridge = hacer borrón y cuenta nueva, ser agua pasada, dejar el agua correr.
Example: Although she was unwilling to disclose details of the incident she did stress it was all water under the bridge now.» be (all) well and good (but) = estar muy bien (pero), ser perfecto (pero), ser estupendo (pero). [También be (all) good and well (but)]
Example: However identifying the right marketing channels is all well and good but if the message isn't right then it's money down the drain.» be a long time before = pasar mucho tiempo antes de que.
Example: It will be a long time before all documents are available in machine-readable form.» be a long way from = estar muy alejado de.
Example: However, this is still a long way from the amazing power of a large mini or mainframe computer.» be a long way off = faltar mucho, estar muy lejos.
Example: This pie-in-the-sky solution is a long way off and I am doubtful that it will really solve the problem of tieing individual records into the authority file.» be a lost cause = ser una causa perdida.
Example: If she knew I was going to be married, something she did not highly approve of, she might not give me all the lead roles, she might think I was a lost cause and not worth her time.» be a lot of work = ser mucho trabajo.
Example: For some reason, I thought that yeasted waffles would be a lot of work.» be always on + Posesivo + back = no dejar en paz, no dejar de dar la tabarra.
Example: His wife is always on his back about something -- no matter what he does, she is constantly nagging him to change.» be always the case = ser siempre el caso.
Example: I'm not saying it's always the case, but why do white people usually have worse acne than black people and other races?.» be always the last (one) to know = ser siempre el último en enterarse.
Example: Over the year I found I was always the last one to know about any incidents or complaints unless someone wanted money.» be always willing to assist = estar siempre dispuesto a ayudar, tener espíritu de servicio.
Example: All of the sample agreed that the library staff are always willing to assist.» be always willing to help out = estar siempre dispuesto a ayudar, tener un espíritu de servicio.
Example: Thankfully, I have a wonderful set of parents and in-laws who are always willing to help out when we need a break from the kids.» be a man of few words = ser un hom