Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Italian term or phrase:
girare a vuoto
English translation:
go round in circles
Added to glossary by
Emilia De Paola
Sep 17, 2008 14:54
15 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Italian term
Italy
Accurate translator and literary teacher
Native in: Italian 
Works in: English to Italian, German to Italian
girare a vuoto
Italian to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
How would you translate "girare a vuoto". I have found a technical term which is "to spin freely" and a term like "to idle" that means "to do nothing".
On the contrary in my text there is a woman who says that the indications given to her make her "girare a vuoto" in the sense that she does not know what to do.
On the contrary in my text there is a woman who says that the indications given to her make her "girare a vuoto" in the sense that she does not know what to do.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +2 | her directions had me going round in circles |
Rachael Alexander
|
| 4 +1 | wander/ramble/roam (uselessly) |
Alessandra Renna
|
| 3 +2 | left her "at a loss" |
Colin Rowe
|
| 4 +1 | led her nowhere |
Enza Longo
|
Change log
Sep 21, 2008 14:31: Emilia De Paola changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/623034">Emilia De Paola's</a> old entry - "girare a vuoto"" to ""her directions had me going round in circles""
Proposed translations
+2
3 hrs
Rachael Alexander
Italy
Italy
Native in English
Italy
Paralegal and translator
Native in: English
Works in: Italian to English, English to Italian
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
her directions had me going round in circles
!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Enza Longo
1 hr
|
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thanks!
|
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| agree |
Stephanie Bryant
: her directions had me going round in circles
2 hrs
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thank you!
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks a lot!"
+1
6 mins
+2
51 mins
Colin Rowe
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Works in field
Germany
Par Excellence Translations
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: German to English, French to English, Italian to English, and 3 more.
left her "at a loss"
Might fit explanation given, pending further context...
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Note added at 54 mins (2008-09-17 15:49:09 GMT)
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Another alternative could be something like "left her wandering around like a headless chicken"
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Note added at 54 mins (2008-09-17 15:49:09 GMT)
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Another alternative could be something like "left her wandering around like a headless chicken"
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ivana UK
: 'at a loss'
17 mins
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Thanks!
|
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| agree |
Peter Cox
19 mins
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Thanks!
|
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| neutral |
James (Jim) Davis
: Last time I saw a headless chicken, it was *running* around very fast.
34 mins
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I can't say I've actually had the pleasure, myself... Thanks for the clarification!
|
+1
22 hrs
led her nowhere
after further clarifications from the asker, this might do
his advice/directions led her nowhere
his advice/directions led her nowhere
Discussion