“Grab a shovel” or “pick up a shovel” is a pretty cutting and imperative way of saying “stop faffing around and get to work.” Make an effort. Tomarse el palo means — well, to piss off, and has the same versatility. You can unleash it as an admonishment and tell someone to go away (tomate el palo or the shorter tomátelas). Or, as was the case at the Herald, use it to describe the fact that you have to leave immediately and in a hurry (me tengo que tomar el palo). What assuages my conscience is that a translation trouble reader won’t reply to “Tomate el palo!” with a “Muchas gracias!”Share your thoughts and translation hang-ups with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!

Source: Bueno Aires Herald May 27, 2024 08:04 UTC